What could be more beautiful than a rainbow in the sky after a summer rain? A 1907 Heddon Rainbow Surface Minnow, that’s what! The 300 series of Surface Minnow appeared as new in the 1905 catalog and continued to be in the Heddon product line until 1929. As with most any other series of a lure, it took on body shape changes along the way, but it must have been a popular lure that caught fish to have been produced as many years as it was. The rainbow paint pattern was also listed as new in the 1905 catalog and the color is indicated by the numeral 1 at the end of the product code. The rainbow color pattern that Heddon used on this 1907 era 300 is stunning, and what makes this particular lure even more beautiful today, is its varnish patina and crazing.
I’ll bet the lure was pretty enough when new in 1907, but it has aged wonderfully, as has the wooden box and paperwork. Heddon made several changes to the Rainbow coloration in later years, and the patterns are all wonderful, but there’s just something about this one that mesmerizes me. I could stare at this lure all day long. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’d much rather look at these old lures than any painting Picasso ever painted!
If you have any questions/comments, Elissa Ruddick can be reached at elissaruddick AT aol DOT com.
-- Elissa Ruddick
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