Tiger 'cage' boxes for models 1010, 1020, 1030 and 1040
(Top to bottom)

From 1967 to 1971, Heddon Tackle Company, then a division of Daisy Manufacturing Company, produced the Tiger lure in four (4) different listed sizes, the #1010 (2-3/8"), #1020 (3-1/4"), #1030 (4-1/4") and #1040 (5-1/4"). One unusual aspect of this lure was the box that they initially came in which had a cellophane window with gold stripes that imitated cage bars. Of all the Heddon lure boxes made, this is one of the few that had a special feature designed to enhance the lure's appeal! All had a 'NEW' label on one end of the box. This same box was also can be found without the 'cage bars' for the Tiger lure.

Plastic slide top box for Tiger Lure

Another style of box used was the plastic slide top box shown above. This dates to the early 1970's so it's likely it was used right at the end of the Tiger lure's first production.

Dealer Display Circus Wagon Tiger Boxes

To help promote the sale of the Tiger Lure, Heddon produced this very unusual and rare dealer display cardboard packaging box that looks like a Circus Wagon. The ones shown accomodated the 1010, 1020 and the largest, both the 1030 and 1040 sizes. Heddon's 1967 trade catalog advertised the "Tiger Cage Lure Box Sleeve" as "Ideal for counter, store, window display" and indicated that the dealer would get "2 free with each dozen Tigers." The instructions printed on the bottom told the dealer how to use the display - it reads:

"MR. HEDDON DEALER: Slide TIGER bait in this display sleeve. Show-thru acetate top of bait box should be positioned to permit view of bait through simulated cage bars. PROMINENTLY DISPLAY this eye-catching package and it will catch sales for you."

Tiger Lure Salesman's Sample Display Box

Reverse Side of Tiger Lure Salesman's Sample Display Box

Perhaps one of the most unusual of Heddon Tiger items was the Salesman's Sample case! Such cases for Heddon lures from this time period consisted of a cardboard case with handle with a composite board inside with lures fastened to it. What is unusual about the Tiger case was the large graphic pictures that were on the reverse and inside of the box and as far as can be determined, the Tiger lure box was the only one that had such graphics. Even more unusual was the fuzzy 'tiger tail' that stuck out one side of the box!

Salesman's Sample Display Box - Inside View

Because these cases were made of cardboard, they were susceptible to damage and often, only the inside part survived. The box shown above displays the 1010, 1020, and 1030 models in various colors with the color codes indicated with gold stickers.

Heddon Tiger Poster Display

Also produced to advertise the Heddon Tiger lure was this two-sided poster. Measuring approximately 24" side by 12" high, it folded in half with one side advertising the Tiger lure while the other side advertised Heddon Spoons. This poster could only be used to display one side at a time because of the fact that each side was printed upside down to the other.

In 1980, Heddon again began listing the Tiger lures but only in the 1010, 1020, and 1040 sizes and is a completely different set of colors. More information on those will be presented in a future edition of Lure Lore!

If you have any further information on any of the items displayed on this page which you'd like to share, please send your comments to me and I'll update the page accordingly. Contributions of interesting items and/or unknowns are encouraged. Lures pictured in Lure Lore are not for sale.

Web Author: Tom Jacomet
Copyright ©2008 by Tom Jacomet - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED