Shakespeare Swimming Mouse Fishing Lure Value Guide

The Shakespeare Swimming Mouse is a quintessential example of the golden age of wooden tackle, designed specifically to mimic the erratic surface movement of a rodent. Introduced in 1924, its enduring popularity among bass and pike anglers made it one of the Shakespeare Bait Company's most successful production models.

What Is Shakespeare Swimming Mouse Fishing Lure Worth?

The typical price range for Shakespeare Swimming Mouse Fishing Lure is $18 - $20 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the leather tail, as these organic components often deteriorated or were replaced over time.
• The clarity and intactness of the glass eyes, which are highly desirable compared to later painted-eye versions.
• Paint preservation, specifically the lack of significant hook drags or wood exposure which maintains the $18-$20 value range.
• The presence of the original period-correct box, which can significantly increase the collectible appeal beyond the base lure price.

How to Identify Shakespeare Swimming Mouse Fishing Lure?

• Look for the distinct wooden body construction paired with authentic glass eyes characteristic of the 1924-1940 era.
• Verify the presence of a flexible tail, which was originally made of leather to enhance the lure's lifelike swimming action.
• Check for the specific Shakespeare hardware, including the steel hook attachments and surface-rigging typical of early 20th-century American manufacturing.
• Examine the paint pattern for the original 'mouse' finish, which often shows fine crazing or age lines in the wood.

History of Shakespeare Swimming Mouse Fishing Lure

Introduced in the early 1920s, the Swimming Mouse was one of the Shakespeare Bait Company's most successful and enduring wooden lures. It was designed to mimic the swimming action of a rodent across the surface of the water, a high-action movement that proved irresistible to large bass and pike during the golden age of wooden tackle manufacturing.