A very rare bait and box from L.J. Tooley of Detroit, Michigan. The unique wood lure, dating from the teens, measures 2 1/2" in length, is finished in red/white, and is rigged with surface mounted cups, definitely unfished, shiny Ex, with only faint age lines, appearing to have never been out of the box. The 3 1/8" x 2 1/8" 2pc box grades about Ex- (wear, one separated bottom corner), retaining its full wrap-around label that's clearly stamped "Darter No. 50", with the Sheridan R. Jones collection stamp on the interior of the lid. Also included are the two fold out papers and a shipping hang tag addressed to: "Sheridan R. Jones Iowa Falls, Iowa", with a 2 cent stamp on the reverse. A very hard to find package, this exact combination appears in "The Life and Legend of Sheridan R. Jones", page 69.

From the Sheridan Jones Collection.

Referred to as "America's pioneering outdoor writer", Sheridan Jones (1881-1958) was certainly one of the most respected and prolific angling writers of his era. Many of the lures offered in this auction, where noted, were personally owned by Jones. Several were given to the esteemed author and outdoor writer for his professional opinion, others as gifts by lure makers vying for his favor. Stated best by author Joseph Hilko in his 2010 book The Life and Legend of Sheridan R. Jones: "Jones' legacy as an educator, naturalist, professional writer and world-class angler is worthy of remembrance today".