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A little bit of Swiss Stuff

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goldenfox View Drop Down
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    Posted: 10 Apr 2010 at 10:14am
Hi everyone, as this is my first proper posting, please bear with me and hopefully I will get it right!!!

As part of my collecting, I was fascinated by the fact that a lot of Jewllers and Watchmakers somehow got into the lure making game, whether for ptfit (probably) or just to show off their talents.
One of the makers in Switzerland was a chap called Lehman Max, of which not a lot is known but what is known, I will probably detail here. I must say that apart from my own knowledge, I am right in thinking that probably the biggest and most respected collector of these and other European lures is a chap called Peppi Planzer, who most likely has the biggest and best collection of these types of lure. I have attached some photos of his collection and duly give credit to the man - a European Legend.

Well, where do I start? I got my first Lemax lure about 12 months ago and was fascinated by it - the craftsmanship, the style and the pearl - and started collected this "lure jewellery" as I call it and am slowly building up a collection.

A little bit about Lemax firstly.

Around the early 1930's in Emmen, near Lucerne, a chap called Lehman Max started a workshop on the bridge at Emmen with a view to producing fishing products which he knew at the time, anglers were wanting. He tried and with great success succeeded in starting a mini revolution in baits.

Here is probably one of the first he made -



with the original stamp



Most of the earlier lures were stamped like this and are pretty hard to find as they were not turned out in their thousands. A lot of his earlier designs were based on mainly metal and variations of fish styles and designs which, to say the least were a little adventurous, but starting a following.

During the interim period between starting and around 1965, production was started on an experimental metal and pearl combined bait, which as far as I know was the "Wunderfischlei", which was a pearl two sided with a brass main body sandwiched in between and a loose, separate "devon style" spin head, these proved quite popular, so more designs and styles were made. You can tell instantly with these lures that they were made by someone who had Jewellery or Watchmaking experience!

1965 saw Lehman Max Junior start to take a more active roll and was instrumental in building new machinery to stamp out the metal shapes his father designed and wanted for production.



Above are some of the early metal baits during the time the name changed to "Lemax" as it has been known since.

Here are some more metal based baits which continued through the "Pearl" period of production -



Lehman Max died in 1975 and Lehman Junior, who was a trained tool maker in his own right, took over the helm, having been instrumental with his father in developing a method of curing and dying the Pearl during the manufacture process.

Here are some of the Pearl lures which were made by and had the name Lemax -



and some others (note the "Wunderfischlei" on the far right!)




The Pearl bait period was what most regarded as the most important period for Lemax and it turned out to become their speciality. The range and assortment of baits produced was pretty big considering, with lots of various styles, shapes and size of each type of lure.

These baits were not cheap though - and one of the main reasons fo that is that they were pretty expensive is that the polishing alone could take up to a 100 steps to get the finish just how they wanted it and as such, was like making jewellery.

No-on e seems to know yet at which point Lemax ceased making lures and operating but one thing we know is that they at the latter stages produced a couple of reels, which emulated the superb Allcock Aerial with limited success, although the quality was superb!

Well, there is a little insight into a subject that not many are aware of and the little I know I can honestly credit Peppi Planzer in particular for the pictures and some of the information above and the rest gleaned from colleagues and other sources.

i have added here some pictures of my own collection so far (there are some others I have purchased snce which I may add later) and I hope you will enjoy seeing a snippet of what is available form the tiny Watchmaking and Banking Nation in Europe. I will also add to this at intervals some close ups of the Lures if you wish and also a little bit on a couple of other Swiss manufacturers, Kneubuhler and Stukcki, which are just as tasty in their own right.









....and (Humbly) Peppi's current collection..........drool........



Thanks for viewing and I hope you enjoyed it. Till next time - Tightest of Lines to you all!!!

David
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Tony View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2010 at 10:30am
Gday David,

What a great read that was! Thank you for taking the time to post it up Clap

I love the level of detail in the lures, and the pearl lures are stunning!


Cheers, Tony

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Abuadmiral Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2010 at 11:36am
Hi David

Very nice my friend images and great educational prose to compliment.

I recognize a few PB there!

Never realized you had so many.

later
Wayne
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2010 at 10:04pm
Hi Tony and Wayne
I enjoyed doing this and hope it is the first of many where I will share an insight into the other world of lures out there!!! My collection of lures is quite broad. I mainly collect as you know ABU stuff, early English and Swiss Baits but also have a smattering of French, other Swedish baits like Arjon and Bete plus a good range of USA Metals and unusuals. If I see it and like it, I'll try to get it. I will at intervals post pics of some of my Bait Mount collection as well, now there's a bizarre area of lures!! I must confess that I tend to eat, sleeo and breath lures at the moment so I guess that makes me a fully fledged "Lure Lover"!!!
Many thanks for your kind comments and at least people have been viewing it!!!
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tooch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2010 at 6:21pm
Hi David , Very Nice collection of lures I am humbled to see such a well set out display of genuine Antique Lures.Thumbs UpThumbs UpThumbs Up  Regards pete.
I'd rather be fishing with





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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote simon bruce Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2010 at 10:34pm
David
 
a very comprehensive and interesting post, I guess the jewellery link really raises them into the category of treasures.
 
Look forward to more of the european lures and their history
 
Simon
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CaptainCranky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2010 at 7:59am
Great post David.I now have recognised a couple of pearl lures that I may have.They have the same swivel.Are they marked with a name,the pearl ones.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2010 at 9:19pm
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the comments. i am always on the lookout to add to my collection - I am kind of addicted to these types of lures and will be posting more pictures over the next fe days. i am just getting some hosting sorted for the pics.
Mail me with pics if you find any you want to sell!
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flylutz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Dec 2010 at 11:15pm
hi, some vintage spining lure swiss and french
regards.fred
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Dec 2010 at 11:52pm
Hi Fred
Nice selection there. Have you been collecting these long?
I like the Wyers items and have been trying to get hold of some Wyers Freres items for a while but they are a bit thin on the ground as they say. I see some Veltics and Celta there also as well as the nice pearl Lemax. Thanks for the showing and if you ever want to sell them, please bear me in mind. Once again, many thanks
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flylutz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:15am
hi david, i m french and i collect early 15 years but i collect espescially the automatics fly reels and lure heddon, it s expensive.i dont sale this lure , but i have some vintage wire to wyers as in the picture if you want .i have more lure , spining, rappala , hardy ,berto, swiss and others for sale .what do you search exactly?
regards.fred
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:19am
Hi Fred
I collect early English lures, French, Swiss and Swedish plus early USA baits. I also collect hooks, traces, packets, bait mounts and all the smaller items. Mail on my normal email to discuss at mikfox2008@yahoo.com.
Please feel free to send pictures of anything you want to sell. Many thanks for your reply.
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flylutz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:20am
for david, its very very rare swiss lure in wooden
dating early 1940
fred
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:24am
Hi Fred
That is a nice old plug. Is it stamped or marked anywhere. I will post some photos of 2 that I got from a Swiss seller who claimed they were Lemax!!! Maybe you will recognise them. I will post later after I take pictures and load them.
Many thanks
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flylutz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:30am
yes it s stamped GES.GESCHATZ
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:32am
Nice one. Is this one for sale at all? Send me a ;ist of what you have and let me know if there are any items that you are after getting. I may have it or know someone who has!!
many thanks
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flylutz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 12:45am
david ,i send some pictures on your email.fred
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hazmail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 4:25am
Stunning stuff David, superb craftsmanship and thanks for posting- we recently had a thread about copying lures, it seems there is nothing new under the sun, it looks  like copying has been going on for generations.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 5:35am
Hi Pete
Thanks for that. Yes, I believe the majority of the lures we all collect can be compared with many others at various points in the past. Even very early scarce glass eyed English Gregory baits were copied for years as there are loads that surface with no makers mark. There are usually one or two aspects of the lure that changes. I recently got a Swedish lure called a Gimmy and was a complete copy of the ABU Glimmy lure (I thought a lot nicer as a lure!!) but I thought it perhaps was a working model or a misprint. Wayne reckoned it was a ripoff copy but I was not so sure as I personally have only ever seen 4 for sale over the years and I got 2 of them!! The excitement is in the adventure itself, you never know what will turn up that you take a fancy to!!!
Tight lines for now and keep in touch
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ropes.basstard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2010 at 9:07pm
Brings a whole new meaning to the term cutlery! Buddy it is a very impressive and equally wonderful selection. Simply awesome.
Hi I'm Ropes and I'm addicted to fishing lures.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MXB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2010 at 11:05am
Originally posted by hazmail hazmail wrote:

Stunning stuff David, superb craftsmanship and thanks for posting- we recently had a thread about copying lures, it seems there is nothing new under the sun, it looks  like copying has been going on for generations.
Pete-R


Nothing is new . . . it is just a modern take on old ideas.

Great lures David and I may contact you in the future via email about older lures

MXB
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goldenfox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2013 at 10:04pm
HI MBX
Only just noticed your comment here regarding getting in touch. Not been on the forum for ages and just starting viewing again. Feel free anytime to get in otuch.
Best wishes and tihgt lines.
David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote haluu509 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 4:26pm
Hi, not sure if your interested but I have a small lemax lure. It is black on one side and pearl on the other. if interested let me know please.
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