Saturday, August 24, 2013

Letterheadings with Jim Jordan: The Pacific Shiner (1939)




The Pacific Shiner was a product of  Army Air Corps veteran A.L. Gower. The Pacific Shiner was a hollow fish shaped metal bait. They were available in 1 3/4", 2 1/2", 3" and 4"  sizes. Throughout the years Gowers manufacturing operation was based in California. Initially located in Malaga, then Burbank and by 1950 they relocated to Madera.



Pacific Shiners were available as early as 1939 and as late as 1950. It is likely that production ceased during the war years. Historic accounts show that Gower was involved in the making of Aircraft hand tools as early as 1939. This May 15 , 1939  envelope is one of the earliest  Pacific Shiner  advertising pieces I have come across. The envelope is addressed to National Sportsman. I can't help but wonder if  this mailing had anything to do with Gower possibly advertising his bait in the magazine. I'll have to keep my out for any Pacific Shiner ads in the National  Sportsman.

Best Regards,
   
Jim Jordan

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