Historically-Important Antique and Vintage Fishing Lures Await Bidders at Morphy's May 17 Auction of the Wayne & Lori Edens Collection, Part II

Top-estimated lot: the first American wooden minnow bait representing the link between late-1890s plugs and the first commercially offered minnows from early 20th century

DENVER, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans of antique fishing lures found the waters more than inviting at Morphy's December 9, 2024 auction of Wayne and Lori Edens' antique and vintage fishing lure collection, Part I. The highly anticipated debut selection of treasures from the Edens trove surpassed $900,000 and left bidders eager for more. On Saturday, May 17, Morphy's will auction Part II of the storied collection, which is widely regarded to be the largest, most comprehensive and most important collection of its type ever to come to the public marketplace. In all, 680 ultra-rare lures – or "baits," as they are known to fishing enthusiasts – will be presented at the exciting live gallery event, with all forms of remote bidding invited, including live online through Morphy Live.

For historical value alone, it would be hard to beat the first American wooden minnow representing the link between the rotary and cedar plugs of the late 1890s and the first commercially offered minnows from just after the turn of the century. The auction example is the actual bait that was famously found in the tackle box of Twin Lakes, Ohio, resident Hiram C Rice. A hand-shaped bait with natural wood grain and a dark back, it features slightly curving gill marks, striking copper-colored "perch" stripes, and a golden belly. The "File Maker" spade-shaped props are original and identical to those on a similar bait seen in an Arlan Carter reference book, and the prop bearings appear to be original and unchanged. When found, the bait's right eye was cracked but intact, and the left eye was missing. In the interim, reddish decoy-style eyes were inserted. Its glass eyes and added side hooks are easily removable, should that be the new owner's preference. 

This wonderful antique minnow is one of the most significant and desirable objects in angling history and is the best representative predecessor to all other American wooden underwater minnows. In strong VG Plus condition, it is estimated at $15,000-$30,000.

Also incredibly rare, a circa-1910 Model #7000 Heddon 747 Mascallonge Minnow bait was originally found in a group of three at a doctor's lake estate residence in Maine. This big boy measures 8 inches in length. The cup is rigged with extra-strong trebles and fore and aft unstamped props. Specifically designed as a floater, it lacks belly weights. This choice bait has flawless amber glass eyes and short hand-painted gill marks on its chin. In VG Plus condition, it carries an auction estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

One of the rarest combos in the Edens collection is a 3½-inch brown-spotted Wilcox Wiggler graded Near-Excellent with clear, solid-glass eyes. One of few of its type ever to surface, it is housed in an equally rare VG-condition paper label box from The Wiggler Mfg. Co., Elmwood, Indiana. Even the extremely rare paper insert remains inside the lid. The Wiggler's beautiful hardware suggests it has never seen water. This desirable bait is expected to land $10,000-$20,000 at auction.

The Wayne & Lori Edens Fishing Lure Collection Part II will be auctioned live on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Morphy's Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting at 9AM ET. Additional bidding methods include absentee, phone, and live via online through Morphy Live. Questions? Call 877-968-8880, email [email protected]. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.

Media Contact:
Dan Morphy
877-968-8880
[email protected] 

SOURCE Morphy Auctions