Shakespeare Lures: early minnows
Gabby Talkington
Underwater minnows:
The difference between gem clip and flat plate hardware: gem clip hardware looks just like a paper clip (a round wire bent to hold the hook), flat plate hardware looks like a flat piece of metal with square edges (flat sheet metal cut to hold the hook). The see-thru on underwater minnows refers to the fact that you can see through the body of the lure from side to side. The hook hangers are held in place by the line tie screw from front to back.
Click on the photo to enlarge
| The first photo is of
a Shakespeare with the high forehead shape typical of those found in picture boxes, c.
1907-1909. It has gem clip hardware, longhorn "A" style props, and long sweeping
gill marks. This particular lure, a two hook model, is a floater because the hooks are on
the belly, as opposed to the underwater version where they are on the sides. The second Shakespeare photo is a later model, the forehead is lower, it is more rounded, the props have changed to the smaller pointed style with the indentations which are known as "B" props. The hardware varies here from gem clip to flat plate depending on the date. This lure may have been in a late picture box ,or more likely, a wood box, c. 1907-1912, with the paper label on the end. The third Shakespeare photo is a later model, the body is more rounded, it has flat plate hardware and plain props. This lure is typical of those found in the gray cardboard box with the green and red label, c. 1912-1925 |
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| This photo shows a comparison of the shaped body (lower) of the high forehead floater and the three hook (upper) Rhodes minnow. The Rhodes is a round body lure. |
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Three hook minnows.
| The upper lure is a
floating minnow with photo finish. The second lure is a three hook floating minnow of a later variety. The color is yellow perch. One would expect a gray box for this lure. Both have plate hardware. |
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| A c. 1912 rubber Evolution in the correct box. |
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Looking good are the:
| Tantalizer at the top Punkinseed in the middle Floating Spinner of 1910 vintage. |
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Not strictly underwater minnows, but part of the Shakespeare collection
| Top, a
"rubber" like material which has become very hard due to age. The Fishylure was
sold in four sizes and came on a cardboard card. Middle, a Kazoo Musky reed lure. The hook is wrapped with a series of reeds and feathers and then attached to a silver spinner. It came in several sizes. Bottom, is the unusual "Whirlwind" underwater lure with flat plate hardware. |
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If you have Shakespeare or Rhodes lures or boxes in this condition for sale, or wish to discuss your collection, please call or E-mail me. If you call, please do so anytime on weekends or weekday evenings 6-10 PM EST, at 941-489-0587.
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