Bidders reel in rare fishing lures in Canadian auction
A single-owner lifetime collection of collectible and rare fishing lures, decoys and reels won bidder acclaim in an October 2018 collectibles auction held in Canada.
NEW HAMBURG, Ontario, Canada – Rare fishing lures by the Immell Bait & Tackle Company stole the show Oct. 1920. Three green Chippewa spinner lures made circa 1910 by the Immell Bait & Tackle Company (USA) brought a combined CA$24,780. A clever Canadian-made circa 1930 Lurette No. 2 “living bait lure” was reeled in for CA$3,750 (a new record price for the lure). The auction was hosted by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
The sale of collectible and rare fishing lures was held online and in Miller & Miller’s gallery at 59 Webster Street in New Hamburg, Ontario. Featured was the single-owner lifetime collection of fishing lures, decoys and reels of the late Bob Ronson.
Around 700 of the 724 lots that came up for bid were from Ronson’s vast collection. Including the buyer’s premium, the two-day sale grossed more than CA$175,000.
“The auction was fast-paced, with bidders not afraid to jump in and bid immediately,” said Ben Lennox, a respected Canadian collector and a staff expert for Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
“It was a gathering of astute collectors who drove the price of key lots feverishly. The hunting and fishing collectible market is robust and we look forward to our next strong auction in this genre.”
Top fishing lure earners
Eight of the top ten lots in the sale were Chippewa lures and 48 lots overall were dedicated to Chippewas (five were in the original boxes), a testament to their popularity with collectors (and with Mr. Ronson). The top achiever was a Chippewa in green with back spotted sides, made of wood and in the original box. The lure, in very good-plus condition, hammered for CA$10,030.
The runner-up lots were a Chippewa in fancy green back, in the box, made of wood and in very good-plus condition (CA$7,670). And a Chippewa in green with back spotted sides, in the box, made of wood and graded very good (CA$7,080). Three rainbow Chippewas also cracked the top ten. One example went to a determined bidder for CA$3,245 and the other went for CA$2,006.
The Lurette No. 2 lure, made by Canada Needle & Fishing Tackle, wowed bidders with its unique and imaginative design. It was a “living bait lure” that boasted a glass bulb surrounded by hooks that were designed to tempt fish with a live crayfish or worm. The example sold, in the original box and with both sets of paper instructions, was in superb shape and made CA$4,425.
Upcoming auctions by Miller & Miller
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. has two more auctions planned for 2018. The first, on Saturday, Nov. 24, will feature watches and jewelry. The second, titled Mantiques II: The Aarssen Collection, will be on Saturday, Dec. 8. Both will be online and in the gallery.
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. The firm sells high-value collections of antique and vintage collectibles valued between $35,000 and $3 million. They also sell items of individual merit.
Its mission is to provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell, and its vision is to be Canada’s highest grossing seller of high value collections.
To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may contact the firm at 519-573-3710, 519-716-5606, or info@millerandmillerauctions.com.
To learn more about the firm and its upcoming sales, visit www.MillerandMillerAuctions.com.
