The James Gregory lures and baits are the ones prized by British bait collectors. They were made in Birmingham, England. He introduced his first spoon baits in 1878. His subsequent lures were jewel-like replicas of minnows with large glass eyes. Allcock’s sold Gregory lures that were made in the 1870’s and 1880’s. The lures with large cut glass eyes are particularly sought after by collectors.
An interesting design feature found on most British Baits is one that causes the lure to revolve as it is pulled through the water. Most have opposing left and right side fins with one curved up and the other curved down. Exaggerated curved tails were also used to cause the bait to revolve in the water.
The JAMES GREGORY Superior Flexible Minnow Made For C. Laight & Co., Redditch, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Minnow, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Minnow, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Flexible Minnow, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Windsor Bee, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Wheeldon Bait, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Cleopatra Bait, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Paragon Bait, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Norwich Spoons, circa 1880’s
The JAMES GREGORY Baits on Display at the International Fisheries Exhibition in London, 1883