Overview
These are classic 'pork rind' lures, a revolutionary design in early 20th-century angling that combined a weighted metal head with a hand-tied bucktail.
Preliminary identification
Al Foss Pork Rind Minnow Lures and Lithograph Tins, c. 1920s-1930s
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Al Foss was a legendary tournament casting champion who turned his obsession with precision into a business in 1915 because he despised the 'clumsy' wooden lures of his era.
Maker / Origin
Al Foss was a perfectionist who won numerous casting championships before starting his company in Cleveland, Ohio.
Condition & Value
The tins show expected surface oxidation and 'tackle box wear' including scratches and minor paint loss, which is typical for items used in the field. The lure hair appears somewhat brittle but largely intact. The presence of the original graphics on the tins remains strong, which is the primary value driver.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
SOLD
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
SOLD
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
SOLD
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
SOLD
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375
SOLD