DENVER, PA.- On October 25, collectors of antique fishing tackle bid aggressively on rare antique lures from the Wayne and Lori Edens collection at Morphy’s third and final installment of an auction series that debuted 10 months ago. Acknowledged to be the largest, most comprehensive and historically-important collection of its type ever to come to the public marketplace, the Edens trove went out on a high note, realizing $700,000. Combined with the proceeds from Parts I and II, the October session pushed the series grand total to a robust $2.65 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium.

Topping the 635-lot selection was an all-time classic lure – or “bait,” as seasoned fishermen would say – a Chautauqua Weedless Trolling Hook Minnow. It was produced by Anderson & Company of Jamestown, New York, from a design patented by Krantz & Smith in 1909, a detail confirmed by the stamping on the bait’s tailfin. The auction example was completely intact with a handsome copper finish that has survived the tests of time quite admirably. Graded VG, it was described in Morphy’s catalog as being one of only three known survivors with an original factory box, which is correctly marked COPPER on both ends. Against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000, it leaped to a lofty $27,600.

Swimming closely behind was an impressive 7¾-inch-long Heddon 747 in an uncataloged special-order color blending red and purple. Identified in VL&A’s 1917 catalog as the Dowagiac Mascallonge Minnow, it displayed black hand-painted gills and bellyweights still sealed under its paint. With both glass eyes intact and graded in Excellent-Minus condition, it floated to $26,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$20,000



One of the most elusive and historically-significant Heddons in the sale, a circa-1910 Night-Radiant Moonlight Bait with a bulbous head had clear glass eyes, spotless hardware, and appeared never to have been fished. It came with its correct box, a “Care & Use” insert and a “Special Notice” insert advising fishermen to bring their lanterns with them, presumably to observe the bait’s night luminescence. This bait is the exact example shown on Page 90 of the book The Heddon Legacy, in which it is described as one of only a couple ever found with the original box and papers. Never cataloged, it originated in the Heddon factory archives, making it even more desirable. In VG condition and estimated at $4,000-$15,000, it rose to $20,400.



A coveted 2-hook rimless cup Slopenose bait was made in early 1902, during the first 5-6 weeks of Heddon’s production. It is one of only three known examples accompanied by the ultra-rare Heddon introductory black box with silver printing. The bait, itself, displayed the correct “chalky” white paint. Its hand-painted, friction-fit, red-painted aluminum collar had been locked in place for over 120 years. It also retained its brass ties, tail cap, and most importantly, its rimless belly cup. Surpassing its high estimate, it settled at $15,600.



A stunning Heddon Musky Minnow Black Sucker bait was assessed as so exceptional, it would easily qualify as being in the top 1% of all Black Suckers. With a cream-colored belly with tones of pink down the sides and a blended black back stripe, it had never been fished. Accompanied by its impressive extra-large “Downleaping Bass” pictorial box, it was bid to $11,070 against a $2,000-$4,000 estimate.



Another crowd-pleaser was a circa-1905 Heddon high-forehead 154 Dowagiac Underwater Minnow bait with a bright red body that contrasted beautifully with long, sweeping black hand-painted gills that fully extended into its first cups. With shiny unstamped spinners, all-brass hardware and flawless glass eyes, it came in its correct slide-top “hung” wooden box with strong markings and the correct model and color designations on both ends. It sold just below its high estimate, for $9,840.



From Immell Bait Co. (Blair, Wis.), a museum-quality pike-size Chippewa lure finished in the Fancy Sienna No. 44 color had shiny hardware, crystal-clear eyes and was assessed to be in strong Excellent condition. It appeared never to have been fished and came with its crisp original box. Against a $600-$1,200 estimate, it was chased to $8,400.



An extremely rare Heddon Dowagiac 300BH Game Fish Minnow was eye-catching in its special-order green and yellow color palette with spotless hardware and perfect glass eyes. Smooth and glossy, earning an Excellent Plus rating, it crossed the auction block with its original box and garnered a winning bid of $8,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000-$2,000.

To discuss consigning antique or vintage fishing lures, sports memorabilia, or any high-quality antique, artwork or collectible to a future auction at Morphy’s, whether it’s a single item or an entire collection, please call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.