McCormic/Shakespeare Mermaids
Mermaids
This brief article will attempt to provide some basic information regarding the McCormic/Shakespeare Mermaids. While not much information is available regarding these relatively scarce baits, I'll discuss what I've found through limited research from reference books, websites, fellow collectors as well as my own observations. Hopefully, this info will prove useful and educational.
The Mermaid was patented on Dec. 18, 1917 by J.T. McCormic of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Per the patent drawing, the lure is 3 5/8 inches in length. The Mermaid was advertised in The National Sportsman magazine as early as the May, 1917 issue thus suggesting the bait was being produced prior to its patent date. According to an artcle written by Bill Sonnett, the McCormic Mermaid was offered in a 1916 Shakespeare catalog (Shakespeare offered other lines of lures besides the Shakespeare line). Check out Bill's article on the McCormic Mermaid on Dr. Todd Larson's website http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com, it is very informative. A huge thanks goes out to Matt Lollman for providing an image of this 1916 Shakespeare catalog offering. (check out his awesome websites www.finandflame.com and www.oldfishinglure.com. By approximately 1920, Shakespeare had apparently bought the company or at least the rights to the Mermaid. Shakespeare expanded the Mermaid design to include The Little Mermaid, which, per catalogs is a two hook version measuring 3 1/4th inches. The codes of 582 and 583 were assigned to the Little Mermaid and Mermaid respectively. By approximately 1924-25, the Mermaid and Little Mermaid were gone from Shakespeares line. Gone but not forgotten as will be discussed in later sections as the Mermaid body style re emerges years later.
Most McCormick Mermaids found will have a "hole" in the upper part of the head as is shown on the box illustration. The patent drawing does not have a hole in the upper part of the head. Per my observation as well as the illustration in the 1916 Shakespeare catalog, McCormick Mermaids without the hole are the earliest version made in 1916. It appars by 1917, the hole was added. Hardware was two cup rigged belly hooks with a screw eye rear hook hanger. A thin wire leader/line tie is attached by screw eye in the countersunk portion of the nose. McCormic models have a smaller rear hook than the two belly hooks. Later Shakespeare models appear to have the same sized hooks on all three. Shakespeare model 583 Mermaids would/should have a hole in the head area. Shakespeare Little Mermaids model 582 (2 T) do not have a hole in the head. Besides paint patterns, Shakespeare models can be differentiated by the rear hook hanger which has a washer/ball type screw eye while the McCormic models have a straight screw eye. Another slight difference is the head area which in the Shakespeare models appears more "squared off" and slightly wider and the McCormic models being slightly narrower and slightly "rounded off". The pictures below clearly give illustration to this variance.
I have heard (and read in books) that the McCormic Mermaid was produced in two sizes yet I have never seen any documentation showing two sizes nor have I seen any differing model numbers on boxes designating two different sizes. All McCormicks I have seen have a number designation of 583.
To enlarge the photos/images as well as to view additional commentary, "click" on the photo.
The Mermaid was patented on Dec. 18, 1917 by J.T. McCormic of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Per the patent drawing, the lure is 3 5/8 inches in length. The Mermaid was advertised in The National Sportsman magazine as early as the May, 1917 issue thus suggesting the bait was being produced prior to its patent date. According to an artcle written by Bill Sonnett, the McCormic Mermaid was offered in a 1916 Shakespeare catalog (Shakespeare offered other lines of lures besides the Shakespeare line). Check out Bill's article on the McCormic Mermaid on Dr. Todd Larson's website http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com, it is very informative. A huge thanks goes out to Matt Lollman for providing an image of this 1916 Shakespeare catalog offering. (check out his awesome websites www.finandflame.com and www.oldfishinglure.com. By approximately 1920, Shakespeare had apparently bought the company or at least the rights to the Mermaid. Shakespeare expanded the Mermaid design to include The Little Mermaid, which, per catalogs is a two hook version measuring 3 1/4th inches. The codes of 582 and 583 were assigned to the Little Mermaid and Mermaid respectively. By approximately 1924-25, the Mermaid and Little Mermaid were gone from Shakespeares line. Gone but not forgotten as will be discussed in later sections as the Mermaid body style re emerges years later.
Most McCormick Mermaids found will have a "hole" in the upper part of the head as is shown on the box illustration. The patent drawing does not have a hole in the upper part of the head. Per my observation as well as the illustration in the 1916 Shakespeare catalog, McCormick Mermaids without the hole are the earliest version made in 1916. It appars by 1917, the hole was added. Hardware was two cup rigged belly hooks with a screw eye rear hook hanger. A thin wire leader/line tie is attached by screw eye in the countersunk portion of the nose. McCormic models have a smaller rear hook than the two belly hooks. Later Shakespeare models appear to have the same sized hooks on all three. Shakespeare model 583 Mermaids would/should have a hole in the head area. Shakespeare Little Mermaids model 582 (2 T) do not have a hole in the head. Besides paint patterns, Shakespeare models can be differentiated by the rear hook hanger which has a washer/ball type screw eye while the McCormic models have a straight screw eye. Another slight difference is the head area which in the Shakespeare models appears more "squared off" and slightly wider and the McCormic models being slightly narrower and slightly "rounded off". The pictures below clearly give illustration to this variance.
I have heard (and read in books) that the McCormic Mermaid was produced in two sizes yet I have never seen any documentation showing two sizes nor have I seen any differing model numbers on boxes designating two different sizes. All McCormicks I have seen have a number designation of 583.
To enlarge the photos/images as well as to view additional commentary, "click" on the photo.
Colors/Patterns
Colors/Patterns
The earliest Mermaids, per the 1916 catalog entry came in three colors, all white, all red or all yellow. These baits would not have the hole in the head. 1917 and later McCormic Mermaids were offered in White, Red, Yellow, Red Head/White Body and Red Head/ Black Body. Thanks to fellow collector Jim Jordan who recently informed me that in 1919, the McCormic Mermaid were also offered in all black. Thanks again to Jim for the information. When acquired by Shakespeare, the cataloged colors were, as shown in the catalog offering below, GW Rainbow with scale finish, FG Fancy Green with scale finish, YP Yellow Perch with scale finish, FB Frog Back with scale finish, GY Green Back Yellow Belly with scale finish, WR White Body with Red Head and BW Black Body with White Head. These Shakespeare codes were offered both on the Mermaid and Little Mermaid.
One observation on the McCormic colors is the presence of a red dot on the top of the bait over the hole on some of the all white color pattern. I originally thought this was a fisherman's alteration as, for years, have not seen another. After posting pictures on Joe's Old Lures, the late George Coopey contacted me showing a picture of the same bait, in the box, with the same touch of red around the hole obviously proving this was a factory paint scheme. Since then, I have seen one other similar bait turn up. All the baits with a red dot I have seen with a box are in the earlier "Patent Pending" box thus suggesting that this feature appears only on the earlest Mermaids. Another observation is that the McCormic and early Shakespeare Mermaids(like the one in the "Shakespeare Mermaid Box") in the Red Head/White pattern have a smaller red head portion than those painted/produced later by Shakespeare.
The earliest Mermaids, per the 1916 catalog entry came in three colors, all white, all red or all yellow. These baits would not have the hole in the head. 1917 and later McCormic Mermaids were offered in White, Red, Yellow, Red Head/White Body and Red Head/ Black Body. Thanks to fellow collector Jim Jordan who recently informed me that in 1919, the McCormic Mermaid were also offered in all black. Thanks again to Jim for the information. When acquired by Shakespeare, the cataloged colors were, as shown in the catalog offering below, GW Rainbow with scale finish, FG Fancy Green with scale finish, YP Yellow Perch with scale finish, FB Frog Back with scale finish, GY Green Back Yellow Belly with scale finish, WR White Body with Red Head and BW Black Body with White Head. These Shakespeare codes were offered both on the Mermaid and Little Mermaid.
One observation on the McCormic colors is the presence of a red dot on the top of the bait over the hole on some of the all white color pattern. I originally thought this was a fisherman's alteration as, for years, have not seen another. After posting pictures on Joe's Old Lures, the late George Coopey contacted me showing a picture of the same bait, in the box, with the same touch of red around the hole obviously proving this was a factory paint scheme. Since then, I have seen one other similar bait turn up. All the baits with a red dot I have seen with a box are in the earlier "Patent Pending" box thus suggesting that this feature appears only on the earlest Mermaids. Another observation is that the McCormic and early Shakespeare Mermaids(like the one in the "Shakespeare Mermaid Box") in the Red Head/White pattern have a smaller red head portion than those painted/produced later by Shakespeare.
Boxes
Boxes
Boxes for these baits are pretty rare. I'm lucky to have a McCormic box and is shown in the picture below. Once taken over by Shakepeare, the first box looks identical to the McCormic box with the "McCormic Mermaid" being replaced with "Shakespeare Mermaid" These early Shakespeare boxes are extremely rare with only a few known. Later Shakespeare Mermaids were placed in standard Shakespeare boxes of that time period as shown in the pictures below.
Paperwork for the McCormic made baits included a paper which markets the lure's fish catching ability written by a National Sportsman magazine writer.
Looking at the the first boxes shown in the pictures below, the illustration of the all white colored bait on the box clearly shows "Pat. Pending" stated on the box and also the company name of "J Thomas McCormic bait Company". The later McCormic box shows a red head white Mermaid with "Patented" and the company name of "McCormic Bait Comapny". Obviously, the Patent applied for box is earlier.
Boxes for these baits are pretty rare. I'm lucky to have a McCormic box and is shown in the picture below. Once taken over by Shakepeare, the first box looks identical to the McCormic box with the "McCormic Mermaid" being replaced with "Shakespeare Mermaid" These early Shakespeare boxes are extremely rare with only a few known. Later Shakespeare Mermaids were placed in standard Shakespeare boxes of that time period as shown in the pictures below.
Paperwork for the McCormic made baits included a paper which markets the lure's fish catching ability written by a National Sportsman magazine writer.
Looking at the the first boxes shown in the pictures below, the illustration of the all white colored bait on the box clearly shows "Pat. Pending" stated on the box and also the company name of "J Thomas McCormic bait Company". The later McCormic box shows a red head white Mermaid with "Patented" and the company name of "McCormic Bait Comapny". Obviously, the Patent applied for box is earlier.
Jim Dandy
Jim Dandy
According to reference material as well as talking with other collectors, the Jim Dandy line of baits was offered by Shakespeare as an "economy line" of baits. Many of the Jim Dandy baits were outfitted with minimal features such as lack of glass eyes, no cup rigging and minimal color pattern offerings. Very little catalog information is available for the Jim Dandy line except the approximate date was around 1930 when the line was started. Pictured below is what I believe to be a Jim Dandy line bait. The body is clearly that of an earlier Mermaid (which was uncatalogued since 1924/25) yet does not have a "hole" in the head and lacks the wire line tie. This bait is the same size as the standard Mermaid, 3 5/8", yet has only two hooks (belly and tail) and no cup rigging. The simple screw eye/washer hardware is consistent with other Jim Dandy baits of the early 1930's as is the distinctive blended red head/white body color pattern which is identical to the Jim Dandy baits of the era. In speaking with other collectors, no one has seen this bait in any catalog yet some think it is some type of Jim Dandy bait offered by Shakespeare and may be a trade bait of some sort. Thanks to Jay Folsum for provided some new info regarding the color pattern and hook rigging on this bait. Per Jay, this color was offered in the twenties, as early as 1926 or so and the screw eye/washer rig was also offered in the twenties on some baits. Jay suggested this bait may be a custom made trade bait and until we find a box we won't be able to know for certain. Thanks much to Jay for the input. .Any input from others is surely welcome.
According to reference material as well as talking with other collectors, the Jim Dandy line of baits was offered by Shakespeare as an "economy line" of baits. Many of the Jim Dandy baits were outfitted with minimal features such as lack of glass eyes, no cup rigging and minimal color pattern offerings. Very little catalog information is available for the Jim Dandy line except the approximate date was around 1930 when the line was started. Pictured below is what I believe to be a Jim Dandy line bait. The body is clearly that of an earlier Mermaid (which was uncatalogued since 1924/25) yet does not have a "hole" in the head and lacks the wire line tie. This bait is the same size as the standard Mermaid, 3 5/8", yet has only two hooks (belly and tail) and no cup rigging. The simple screw eye/washer hardware is consistent with other Jim Dandy baits of the early 1930's as is the distinctive blended red head/white body color pattern which is identical to the Jim Dandy baits of the era. In speaking with other collectors, no one has seen this bait in any catalog yet some think it is some type of Jim Dandy bait offered by Shakespeare and may be a trade bait of some sort. Thanks to Jay Folsum for provided some new info regarding the color pattern and hook rigging on this bait. Per Jay, this color was offered in the twenties, as early as 1926 or so and the screw eye/washer rig was also offered in the twenties on some baits. Jay suggested this bait may be a custom made trade bait and until we find a box we won't be able to know for certain. Thanks much to Jay for the input. .Any input from others is surely welcome.
Shakespeare Custom Baits
Shakespeare Custom Baits
As shown in the image below of a 1934 catalog, Shakespeare was offering custom made baits, many of which were catalogued in the 1920s and not currently produced in the 1930's. As seen, the Mermaid was one of the custom baits offered. By 1934 (see bait #6 code 583), Shakespeare had introduced the "hook link" hardware with the screw eye/cup rig phased out of most baits. Pictured below is a Mermaid which I believe to be one of these custom baits produced in the mid 1930's. As shown, it has the "hook link" hardware as well as a much thicker gauge wire line tie. Also of note, the fancy green back paint scheme is consistent with the fancy green back pattern produced by Shakespeare during the mid 30's which is more of a painted/rolled on finish as opposed to the "fancy" or "crackle back" finish of the twenties which appeared to be "baked" in for lack of a better term. I'm sure there are more out there but this is the only one I've seen and I've been chasing these for about 10 years now. Any info on these would be greatly appreciated.
As shown in the image below of a 1934 catalog, Shakespeare was offering custom made baits, many of which were catalogued in the 1920s and not currently produced in the 1930's. As seen, the Mermaid was one of the custom baits offered. By 1934 (see bait #6 code 583), Shakespeare had introduced the "hook link" hardware with the screw eye/cup rig phased out of most baits. Pictured below is a Mermaid which I believe to be one of these custom baits produced in the mid 1930's. As shown, it has the "hook link" hardware as well as a much thicker gauge wire line tie. Also of note, the fancy green back paint scheme is consistent with the fancy green back pattern produced by Shakespeare during the mid 30's which is more of a painted/rolled on finish as opposed to the "fancy" or "crackle back" finish of the twenties which appeared to be "baked" in for lack of a better term. I'm sure there are more out there but this is the only one I've seen and I've been chasing these for about 10 years now. Any info on these would be greatly appreciated.
