Heddon Dowagiac Expert Lure Ad 1903
The is a Heddon Dowagiac Expert Lure Ad from 1903. Telling folks that finding any advertisements for early Heddon antique Lures is tough is an understatement. This has always been one of my favorite catalogs of mine to look through. Heddon having just begun to produce commercially in 1902 so this is the year after that. If you read early Heddon lure history you note that Bill and Robbie point out in their book that changes and evolution of early Heddon was happening in month time frames, not years. I could only dream of finding and flipping through a Heddon 1903 Catalog, so this is the next best thing.
You will notice that the Dowagiac Under Water Expert lure in the ad is offered with a Nickle Plated Spinner and a Sinker. You can find examples of these in “The Heddon legacy” on Page 66-67. I don’t use the word too much because of the weight it brings with it but finding a Dowagiac Expert with a hanging belly weight is Rare. The lures came in two piece cardboard boxes with a picture of the lure on the front. The Dowagiac Underwater Expert Number 1 was offered in the Catalog with 3 treble hooks inset into cups to prevent the hooks from swinging on the lure.
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The other Lure offered is a Dowagiac Expert Number 1, Offered in Blue Head White Body with a Red Angling Collar. The offer this model in a 2 hook version. Again, noting the hooks wont touch the belly of the Heddon Dowagiac Expert. The lure was found housed in a picture box as well, titled; The Dowagiac Casting Bait.
The last antique lure offered is the Heddon Dowagiac Number 2. Offered in Blue Head White Body with a Red Angling Collar. This model of the Heddon Dowagiac Expert however is offered with four treble hooks. Faceted in sockets to prevent them from touching the belly. The lure was found housed in a picture box as well, titled; The Dowagiac Casting Bait.
