December 9 & 10, 2026 Fishing Lures
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Lot #2296:
RARE W. D. CHAPMAN & SON CANVAS ADVERTISING FLY CASE, ROCHESTER, N.Y.
A rare and possibly unique advertising fly case from W. D. Chapman & Son, one of the most important American tackle makers of the 19th century.
William Dana Chapman (1820–1909) was a jeweler and inventor from Theresa, N.Y. Collectors regard him as one of the great pioneers of the American metal lure, and he held patents on the Minnow Propeller, Combination Minnow, Allure and Omega. He moved the business to Rochester in 1887, and the State Street store failed in 1893. The Rochester address therefore places this case within a window of about six years.
Advertising giveaways like this were meant to be used and thrown away, and very few survived. The case is a fine display piece for the advanced Chapman, early American tackle, or sporting advertising collector. Condition: Good. Exhibits age-related toning, light soiling, and scattered spotting. Printing remains crisp and binding intact.