Coming complete with one of the rarest of all early miscellaneous baits, from the Artificial Bait Co. of Monticello, Indiana, patented on July 19, 1904 by William Hardy. This extraordinary wooden minnow, finished in dark red back blended to yellow, then aluminum, (the second “interchangeable” body in green back blended to yellow sides and an aluminum belly), both include hand painted red gills and measure 2 5/8", with blemish free yellow glass eyes and two internal belly weights. The original harness and spinners, both unique to this early bait, have a bit of corrosion, otherwise the minnow bodies grade about VG+/Ex-. Coming in the extremely rare pasteboard picture box, with clear lure illustration and most of the label text legible, has wear, soiling, semi-separated corners and some moth damage, mostly on the flaps. As rare as the minnow(s) and box are, their rarity pales in comparison to that of the fold out paper - in near Ex condition, with crisp lure illustration, this being one of only three examples known of The Hardy Interchangeable Casting Minnow "Instructions" paper. Truly, one of the rarest and most important lure/box/paper packages ever offered in a Lang's auction - a centerpiece combination, for even the most advanced collection.