Museum Archive: Vintage Herter's Swiss Spoon, 1/4oz nickel/red eyes fishing spoon #20195

Stamped clearly into the polished nickel surface of this 2" (5 cm) blade are the words "HERTER'S SWISS SPOON," identifying a mid-century classic. Assigned product code 20195, this lure reflects the era when the Waseca, Minnesota-based Herter’s sourced specialized tackle from Japan for their legendary mail-order catalogs. A red glass bead is meticulously wired through the head to act as a focal eye, paired with a singular red painted stripe on the lower third of the body for visual contrast. The specimen is in 5/5 condition, maintaining a brilliant reflective quality on both the side stamped "JAPAN" and the smooth exterior. Weighing 1/4 oz (7 g), the solid metal construction includes a robust split ring and a sharp treble hook intended for casting or trolling.