300 An exceptionally rare R. Haskell 3 ½” copper minnow bait,

the hollow sheet metal bodied fish shaped lure mounted on central spindle with revolving rear third body section with incised twin tail spinning vanes, raised fins, loop head eye and rear brass wire whipped twin “weedless” barbed hook, both flanks stamped “R. Haskell, Painesville. O., Pat’d Sep 20 1859”, overall very good condition (see illustration) £4000-6000

SKU: 300 Categories: Baits, Featured

Description

** The Riley Haskell minnow shaped lure was the first example of a fish shaped trolling bait to be U.S. patented (no. 25,507) in September 1859. Riley Haskell, a highly respected gunsmith by trade operated out of Painesville Ohio. In November 2003, American tackle auctioneers Lang’s sold a very rare 10” example for a new auction world record price for an American lure of $100,000, which remains the highest price ever paid for an American lure to this day at auction. It is widely accepted as being the most sought after bait amongst both American and rare lure collectors worldwide