1906 Shakespeare Revolution

[JoeW]

This is one of the lures that started me collecting vintage tackle! Made of soldered, hollow aluminum with brass hardware. Strictly a floater. Can you imagine the hand work that had to go into these! No wonder they sold for $.75 back in 1906- a days wages! Notice the two pair of propellers in the middle. They have rounded ends and collectors refer to them as "Mickey Mouse" props. The name for the lure supposedly came from the fact that back then, when wooden lures were just becoming popular, this all-metal bait was supposed to "revolutionize" fishing! It wouldn't chip, always floated, and was much more durable than wood! Only made for a short time (probably because of the time and expense in manufacturing it!), it nevertheless became one of the lures that launched the famous Shakespeare company as a leader in fishing tackle for many decades. One of the favorites in my collection. Hope you enjoyed another trip down "fishing's memory lane". Best---- JoeW (Note: click on the pic for a larger view)

Hey- who else has some "old tackle" they want to show off? Post I pic and I'll help you ID it (if I can)! You might be fishing with a rare "Glowbody Minnow"!

[RAK]

Wow, that is a cool lure. Monster Crappie and Bass would definitively go for that lure.

It is good to see the posts starting again. It has been a while...

[fatworm]

Wow! I've done some metal lathing, but propellers!! That's a something you got there, Joe!

[lip ripper]

That is a hard core lure. Metal really that seems weird. You can always take it to a buffing wheel and make it look new!

[bass or bass?]

That is a hard core lure. Metal really that seems weird. You can always take it to a buffing wheel and make it look new!




Buffing it would devalue it. Antiques are always more valuable in untampered condition.

[JoeW]

You're right bass or bass! Several years ago I found a Chapman metal lure from the 1880's- pretty valuable! It was silver plated, but the silver had all tarnished to black. Yea, like a dummy- I took silver polish to it and showed it around until a couple guys said- "you know, it would be worth twice as much if someone hadn't polished it."! :( But over several years now, the original "patina" has returned and I feel better about it! :) Best---- JoeW

[bass or bass?]

I'm going to get a little off the subject here for a minute. I attend a couple classic motorcycle shows annually. I owned a 1969 BSA A65L chopper that I rebuilt from the ground up 3 times over the 27 years that I rode it. People always came up to me telling me what an awesome looking bike it was but that it would be more valuable in original condition. Well when I bought it it was already chopped and in deplorable condition. I entered it in several shows and have 3 trophies for "best foreign chopper" . I decided to sell it to a friend 2 years ago. He lives just up the street and told me it was mine to ride anytime I want so it was a win/win for me. Drivers have gotten so much more reckless over the years and after owning 2 Harleys and the BSA for over 35 years I decided it was time to give it up. After all, I had a fishing boat to rebuild and customize now!