Heddon Dowagiac Casting Bait
Created by the James Heddon & Son tackle comany (established in Dowagiac, Michigan in 1902), the Dowagiac Casting Bait was Heddon's first commercial lure, and the four-hook version shown here, also known as the Dowagiac No. 2, appeared in 1902 along with its more common two-hook counterpart. This lure is unused and in mint condition, complete with its original box and instruction papers. These refer to the lure as the "Dowagiac Perfect Surface Casting Bait," which dates the manufacture of this piece to late 1902 or early 1903, after which the name was shortened to the "Dowagiac Expert." James Heddon died in December of 1911, leaving the business to his sons, Will and Charles Heddon, who later changed the company name to "James Heddon's Sons."

Value:
With Box:More than $4,000
Without Box:$200 to $600