Early Miller's Minnow

Made by W.H. Miller of the Union Springs Specialty Co., this extremely rare lure dates from the teens, prior to the production of the Miller's Reversible Minnow. Measuring 4 1/8" in length, constructed with Miller's silver washered screw eye rigging seen on his earliest minnows, and finished in yellow with gold hand painted spots. Purchased from the maker's son many years ago, along with the other Miller's lures offered in this auction, this important bait also exhibits areas of uneven varnish and finish, and has similar wear/soiling from decades of storage in Miller's tackle box. A historically significant NY lure - one of only a very few examples surviving of his first lures.