Museum Archive: Vintage Herter's spoon, 2/3oz fishing spoon #18190

Stamped clearly into the polished backside, the 'HERTER SPOON JAPAN' mark identifies this 2/3oz (19g) specimen as a rare piece of post-war angling history. Measuring 3" (7.5cm) in length, the lure features a distinctive silver finish with a deeply embossed scale pattern across the face, designed to catch and reflect light. Adding a touch of visual contrast, two sets of small red beads are wired through the body—two near the head and several more at the tail near the hook assembly. These red accents were a signature design choice for Herter's under product code 18190, often intended to simulate gill flash or a wounded baitfish. The spoon maintains a clean appearance, showing a condition of 4/5 with minor evidence of its age that doesn't detract from its structural integrity. A robust treble hook is attached at the rear with a split ring, while a second split ring at the nose provides a secure attachment point for casting or trolling setups. This specific Herter's Spoon represents the era when the iconic American outfitter sourced high-quality tackle from Japanese craftsmen.