Deconstructing Old Ads: The Rush Tango Victory Set (1920)

The Rush Tango Victory Set

From the pages of the April 1920 Sporting Goods Dealer magazine, comes this advertisement for the Rush Tango “Victory Set”. The  "Victory Finish" was named in honor if the United States victory in World War One which ended with an armistice agreement on 11 November of 1918.


What more could a lure collector ask for that to run across a complete boxed set as illustrated? I have always been amazed, given their age and beautiful paint jobs, how inexpensive  Rush Tangos are that are seen for sale at meets. I guess I've been a closet collector of these baits for many years as they always seemed too beautiful to sell for the small amount they bring. I kept setting them aside for 20 years, and the next thing you know, I had a small collection.

I have had occasion to fish a small, slim version of the Rush Tango and was amazed at the frantic, wiggling action that it displayed. It dug into the sand and gravel bottom with an enthusiasm that one seldom finds in the various “wigglers” and “wobblers” of the period. It shook the rod right down into the handle during the retrieve. Its success was also demonstrated in the many copies which other lure companies produced. Anybody out there have a complete “Victory Set”? We would love to see a picture.

-- Bill Sonnett

UPDATE

Ron Mize writes: Here's a picture of a complete set of Deluxe Tangos in the box that I took a number of years ago. I have a LOT of Rush lures but this is not my set. I agree with Bill that Rush lures are an unappreciated and beautiful lures that are underpriced. Sorry for the glare but it was on the photo I had to scan. Ron Mize, the Tangoman, Collector of Rush tackle.




Pretty awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing, Ron!