Discover Mid-America – September 2010

Fishing gear, artifacts lure collectors

There have long been collectors of anything relating to fishing. This can include not only fishing gear but also fishing art. And, just as there are recognized decoy carvers, there are also important fish artisans. When they come to auction prices can be several thousand dollars. One of the most sought after is Lawrence C. Irvine (1918-1998) of Winthrop, Maine. A favorite fish story tells of fishermen bringing in their fresh catch and leaving it with Irvine. When they returned a few weeks later he had carved out of pine and painted the fish they had caught. When a private collection of his carvings were offered at a James Julia auction last August they fetched from $2,000 to $8,000.

Wicker creel

Even humble items such as creels, to hold “the catch” are popular collectibles. Early creels were made from splints of ash, willow or birch bark. They were woven in a box or Basket shape. The lid had an opening large enough for a trout. Most wicker creels were made by craftsmen from the 19th to early 20th century and their makers are unknown. Even factory-made pieces weren’t marked. However, two manufacturers who marked their creels were the George Lawrence Company and the W. H. Monies & Company of Portland, Oregon.

Some collectors specialize in fishing rods. Considered choice are the split-bamboo rods made from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century in America. Rod making became an important industry in the 1800s when exotic, tropical woods became available. The golden age of fishing rods ended in the 1950s when cheap Asian rods flooded the market.

In the 1970s, collectors began searching for early artificial lures. They were made centuries ago in primitive forms of stone and metal. By the 19th century patents were taken out using a wide variety of designs. Best known is Julio Thompson Buel of Whitehall, New York, who received the first United States patent for an artificial lure in 1852 with the Arrowhead Spinner.

Carved, painted brook trout by Lawrence C. Irvine (photo courtesy James Julia Auctions, Fairfield, ME)

However, it was Riley Haskell who received a patent for what was to become the most valuable lure ever made. It is known today as the Haskell Minnow. A rarity these days, one sold in the 1980s for slightly over $20,000.

What appeals to collectors beyond age and rarity are the many colorful examples in strange shapes. The same goes for fly lures.

CLUES

As in all popular areas of collecting there are reproductions and fakes. Beginning collectors should be wary of faked split bamboo fishing rods. While signs of age are acceptable, damage lowers the values.

To learn more get a copy of Classic Fishing Lures and Tackle by Eric L. Sorenson, published by Voyageur Press.

Anne Gilbert has been self-syndicating the ANTIQUE DETECTIVE to such papers as the Chicago Sun Times and the Miami Herald since 1983. She has authored nine books on antiques, collectibles and art and appeared on national TV. She has done appraisals for museums and private individuals.

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