Guyette & Deeter North American Decoys At Auction November 12 & 13, 2014
474
378
406
Guyette & Deeter, Inc.
North American Decoys At Auction Tablot County Community Center 10028 Ocean Gateway Easton, Maryland 50 Table Buy, Sell, Swap November 11, 12, and 13
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Preview 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Join us for complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Preview 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM Auction 11:00 AM
Thursday, November 13, 2014 Preview 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM Auction 11:00 AM
For questions during the auction, call 410-745-0485
Catalog $45. Out of Country $54 Absentee, Phone & Online Bidding accepted call 410-745-0485 for arrangements For Free Decoy Appraisal, Contact: Gary Guyette | decoys@guyetteanddeeter.com | 410-745-0485 Jon Deeter | jdeeter@guyetteanddeeter.com | 440-543-1416
Important Notices: ■ Unofficial prices realized information will be available 5 business days after the auction. Official prices realized list will be available online approximately 2 weeks after the auction. ■ If you would like to consign decoys to our next auction, please contact: Gary Guyette 410-745-0485 decoys@guyetteanddeeter.com or Jon Deeter 440-543-1416 jdeeter@guyetteanddeeter.com. Free appraisals are available with no obligation to consign and all correspondences are strictly confidential. ■ For delicate carvings a written statement from the purchaser assuming responsibility for pursuing any claims in the event of any damage incurred during shipping. These items are marked *. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for damage to glass, frames, or fragile decoratives, regardless of the cause. ■ Auctioneers Dudley Brown, Spokane, WA. and John McInnis, Amesbury, MA. ■ Stands are not included with the decoys or weather vanes unless specified in catalog. Plexiglass cases are not included with shotgun shell boxes. ■ Reserve a room at a discounted rate by October 10, 2014. ■ Trade Up Program - A limited number of decoy purchases may be paid for by consigning decoys to the next Guyette & Deeter. auction. Ask Gary or Jon for Details.
UPCOMING GUYETTE & DEETER DECOY AUCTIONS February 14, 2015
Marriott Hotel Charleston, South Carolina
In Conjunction with the Southeastern Wildlife Expo
April, 2015
Pheasant Run Resort St. Charles, Illinois
In Conjunction with the Midwestern Decoy Collectors Association Show To consign, Contact: Gary Guyette | decoys@guyetteanddeeter.com | 410-745-0485 Jon Deeter | jdeeter@guyetteanddeeter.com | 440-543-1416
Guyette & Deeter, Inc.
Dale & Gary Guyette PO Box 1170 St. Michaels, MD 21663 Tel: 410-745-0485 Fax: 410-745-0487 decoys@guyetteanddeeter.com
Jon & Leigh Ann Deeter 7980 Darby’s Run Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Tel: 440-543-1416 Cell: 440-610-1768 Fax: 440-543-1466 jdeeter@guyetteanddeeter.com
Zac Cote Assistant Auction Manager, Online Auction Manager, & Photography Freeport, Maine Tel: 410.253.8616 zcote@guyetteanddeeter.com
Mike Stevenson Graphic Designer & Website Developer St. Michaels, Maryland Tel: 410-745-0485 michael@guyetteanddeeter.com
Ed Kenney Merchandise Manager & Shipping St. Michaels, Maryland Tel: 410-745-0485 shipping@guyetteanddeeter.com
Lynda Brooks Office Manager St. Michaels, Maryland Tel: 410-745-0485 lynda@guyetteanddeeter.com
Jane O’Malley Monetti
Bookkeeper St. Michaels, Maryland Tel: 410-745-0485 billing@guyetteanddeeter.com
Featuring Decoys From The Collections Of: Thomas Connally Enrique Sajor Jim Rose
Harry Seitz The Megargee Family Peter Bartlett
The Megargee Family The Megargee Collection stems from my family’s love of waterfowling, art, and the life of a progger (“progger” n., esp. Chesapeake Bay, one who forages about marshes and beaches). My grandfather, Henry P. Megargee, Sr., was an engineer, boat builder, and artist who was interested in anything to do with life on and around the water in coastal New Jersey. He instilled that love in his eldest son, my father, Henry, Jr. “Harry.” Both my father and grandfather were accomplished artists and carvers. My father won almost every division of the National Decoy Show in Working Waterfowl. He studied various carvers and their styles before arriving at his own idea of decoy perfection. It was only natural that his love of the art form and Jersey decoys would draw him to collect. He was adamant that the Jersey form was the most refined decoy in the country. Decoy collecting was not vogue at the time, and many of his birds were given to him by older friends who were hanging up their boots. There was not a real market for decoys as it exists today. My father’s collection was amassed primarily through trading with his friends. When I was a boy, it was not at all uncommon for us to sit on the tailgate of a station wagon with his friends, Bill Mackey, John Hillman, Somers Headley, Bill Purnell, and Joe French bartering for a rigmate of something one or the other did not have. Somers Headley once offered me a 20-guage Browning over-under if I could talk my father into trading him one of two Shourds bufflehead drakes he had. I remember sitting in Mackey’s cellar as a boy and listening to them discussing the intricacies of a certain decoy, debating its origin, whether it had been re-headed, or was original paint. These men were the deans of American waterfowl carving and collecting and my father, Harry Megargee, was the dean of New Jersey birds. His collection of exceptional New Jersey carvers and decoys was unrivaled at the time he was living. My mother, Sarah, shared his love of these decoys and continued to stay in collectors’ circles until her passing. Many of these decoys are featured in the various books that have been written and are still on loan to several museums. This exclusive offering of outstanding quality decoys from my family features some of the finest examples of their carvers and forms.
– Doug Megargee
Harry Megargee carving, with Horner brant in background
A SPECIAL EVENT: PART OF
C O N S E R VAT I O N T H R O U G H A R T 2 01 4 Presented by
Miller Collection:
From Decoys to Decoratives… a major display of over 300 selected bird carvings Featuring national award winning decorative decoys from the collection of Doug and Ellen Miller, including renowned carvers John Scheeler, William Shultz, Pat Godin and Jett Brunet. PHOTO: William L. Schultz, Pintail Drake, 1977, U.S. National Decoy Show, Best in Show
ON DISPLAY November 3 – 28 Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters One Waterfowl Way Memphis TN 38120
SPECIAL EVENTS: Lecture and Open Forum November 7 | Noon – 1pm Doug and Ellen Miller, Castle Rock, CO
Duck Decoy Appraisals November 7 | 9am - 5pm Gary Guyette, Principal, Guyette & Deeter The World’s leading decoy auction firm, St. Michaels, MD (No limit to number of items)
All Events at Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters. Rooms available at Homewood Suites, 701-751-2500 and the Peabody Hotel, 1-800-Peabody or 901-529-3636. Please refer to the Ducks Unlimited negotiated rate.
For a full listing of Conservation Through Art 2014 events, visit conservationthroughart.org
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We e k ly O n l i n e Au c t i o n s E n d i n g E ve r y T h u r s d ay N i g h t Gua ran te e d de s cri pti o n s , m ul ti pl e ph o t os, quick s h i ppi n g , g re at de al s
Redhead drake by Ben Schmidt Sold for $385
Winchester advertising envelope Sold for $275
Black duck by Elmer Crowell Sold for $898
Early Live Decoy sign in frame Sold for $701
For questions, contact: 410-253-8616 | zcote@guyetteanddeeter.com | PO Box 159, Freeport, Maine 04032 | www.decoysforsale.com
Session One
Contemporary 1-11 New York State 12-17 Cigar Daisey 18-29 New England 30-34 Maryland 35-44 Shorebirds 45-57 New Jersey 58-67 New York/Ontario 68-84 Ward Brothers 85-99 Mason Decoy Factory 100-119 Related Items 120-130 Louisiana 131-150 Maryland 151-170 Contemporary 171-184 North Carolina 185-193 New England Shorebirds 194-200 Miniatures 201-212F Related Items 212G-212I Factory 213-220D Canada 221-238 Pacific Coast 239-245 Ward Brothers Decoratives 246-250 Maryland 251-262 Contemporary 263-274 New Jersey 275-292 Maryland 293-301 Miscellaneous Decoys 302-326
Session Two
Decoratives 327-346G New England 347-355 Decoratives 356-370 Virginia 371-378 Midwest 379-393 Fish 394-406 Long Island Shorebirds 407-427 New England 428-439 Ward Brothers 440-449 Virginia 450-471 Delaware River 472-488 New Jersey 489-494 Paintings 495-498 Guns 499-503 Maryland 504-519 New England 520-534 New York State 535-540 New Jersey 541-555 Contemporary 560-578 Maryland 579-593
Wednesday, Novemer 12, 2014 11:00 AM Lots 1 - 326
Thursday, November 13, 2014 11:00 AM Lots 327 - 593
Please read conditions of sale in the back of catalog
SESSION ONE
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 11:00 am
Contemporary Carvings
1
2
1.
8
Pair of canvasbacks, Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. “CTM” carved in the underside of each. Hollow carved with stately long neck style. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (4,000 - 6,000)
2.
Sleeping swan carved in the style of Albert Laing, Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. “CTM” and “1997” are carved in the underside. Hollow carved, head and neck are attached by two wooden dowels. Original paint that has been worn and aged; a few small dents. (3,000 - 4,000)
3
4
3.
Swimming hollow carved brant carved in the style of Nathan Cobb, Jr., Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. “CTM” carved in underside. Raised “V” wingtip carving. Original paint that has been aged; a few tiny dents. (2,000 - 3,000)
4.
Hollow carved running yellowlegs, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Ivory escutcheon at stick hole. Carved in the style of the then world record setting Running Massachusetts curlew sold in the 1997 Guyette & Deeter auction in Ogunquit, Maine. (1,500 - 2,000)
9
5.
5
6
7
8
9
10
Plover with long bill and raised extended wing tips, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Original paint that has been aged; a little shiney. (1,000 - 1,400)
6. Back preening yellowlegs, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Hollow carved with inlet head and relief wing carving; inlet head is dovetailed into the body and removable. Very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750) 7.
10
Stylish ruddy duck, Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. “CTM” is carved in the underside. Original paint that has been aged; a few small dents. (1,200 - 1,500)
8.
Pair of hollow carved coots, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Signed. 1988 is stamped in the weights. Very good and original. (2,500 - 3,500)
9.
Greenwing teal hen, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Signed. Original and good. (750 - 1,250)
10.
Gunning model pintail, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Branded “Walsh”. McNair’s signature is carved in the underside. Original paint with minor shrinkage and wear; structurally good. (800 - 1,200)
11
11 Detail
11.
Large hollow carved heron, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Approximately 48” long with original base. Removable head slides out of body with a large square pin. Particularly fine feather paint detail. Carved in the style of a Long Island, New York confidence decoy. Original paint with a few small dents and short surface cracks. (6,000 - 9,000)
11
New York State 12.
Rare sleeping black duck, Eugene Cuffee, South Hampton, New York. Raised, extended wing tips. Fine feather paint detail with sleepy eyes. Shallow crack partway down back; two hairline cracks in tail.
Provenance: Connally collection. (4,000 - 6,000)
13.
Large hollow carved Canada goose, Thomas Gelston, Quogue, Long Island, New York. Approximately 29” long. Large ice dip carved behind neck and relief wingtip carving. Hardwood bill is doweled through to the back of the head. Appealing old in use repaint; cracks in body. (2,500 - 3,500)
14.
Unusual and folky brant, Long Island, New York. Hollow with bottom board. Head is in a back preening pose. “H.O. Kruger Patchogue 1920” is written on underside. Thin original paint; numerous tiny dents and short hairline cracks in body; wear and slight flaking on sides; slight separation around bottom board. (4,000 - 6,000)
15.
Extremely rare hooded merganser drake, Ken Harris, Woodville, New York. Harris ink stamp on underside. Extra fine feather paint detail. Near mint original paint; one tiny dent at one wingtip, otherwise structurally excellent.
Provenance: Connally collection. (1,750 - 2,250)
12
13
14
15 12
16 16 Detail
16 Detail
16.
Very rare hollow carved brant, William Bowman, Lawrence, Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Inlet head with shoe button eyes. Branded “Edgar”. Original paint with minor wear, mostly on underside and one lower side; crack through neck; short crack at top of and under tail; area at bottom edge of breast where it appears an old tie staple was pulled out, filled, and touched up a long time ago; another spot like this at the water line under the tail.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(9,500 - 12,500) 13
Stevens Brothers Weedsport, New York
17 Detail
17 14
17.
Very rare and important widgeon drake, Stevens Brothers, Weedsport, New York, circa 1880s. “GW Stevens standard decoys” stencil is on the underside. Pleasing form with alert head pose and elongated, shaped tail. Fine comb paint detail. Original paint with minor wear; tight crack through neck; paint missing where dowel goes through top of head; worn area on center of underside.
Literature: “Stevens Brothers Decoys,” Peggy and Peter Muller, p. 305. “Stevens Brothers,” Shane Newell, p. 68. (30,000 - 40,000)
Dated September 27, 1894, George Stevens reflects an order for 21 widgeon decoys to be sent Shoverling D.V.C. Sporting Goods in NYC. Courtesy Shane Newell, Stevens Decoys, Volume one
17 Detail
15
Delbert “Cigar” Daisey Chincoteague, Virginia
18
19
20
21
22
23
18.
Large black duck carved from cottonwood, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded. Slightly turned head. Minor wear mostly on bill; structurally good. (650 - 950)
19.
Working brant decoy, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded; signed and dated 1963. Original paint with minor to moderate wear mostly on the back; small amount of roughness to each side of the tail; wear to the wood on the bill. (800 - 1,200)
20.
16
Pair of swimming coot, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Both have slightly turned heads and detailed wingtip and tail carving. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
21.
Rigmate pair of hunting model goldeneye, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Carved in the Crisfield, Maryland style; both have slightly turned heads and large wooden keels; both are signed and have “Cigar” carved in the undersides. Original paint; minor discoloration and wear; a few small dents. (1,200 - 1,600)
22.
Bufflehead hen and drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Hen is in “lowhead” pose with wingtip carving and fluted tail. Drake has slightly turned head and wingtip carving. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
23. Pair of bluebills, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Detailed wingtip and tail carving. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
24
25
26
27
28
29
24. Pair of doves, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Some feather carving detail. Minor discoloration on one, otherwise very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 25.
26.
Ruddy duck hen and drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Both are branded and signed. Drake is in summer plumage, hen is not. Hen has a weight in the tie strap. Feather carving detail. Very good and original. (950 - 1,250) Rare gadwall drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Signed, “Male cork gadwall, hunting decoy” and branded “Cigar”. Slightly turned head and wooden bottom board. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
27.
Merganser hen and drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Both are branded, one is signed. Both have wing feather carving. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
28.
Pintail hen and drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Both have wingtip carving. Hen has fluted tail and slightly turned head. Both are branded and signed. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,600)
29.
Pair of hollow carved swimming mallards, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Both have layered wing feather carvings and fluted tails. Small paint scrape on one side of drake, otherwise very good and original. (1,200 - 1,500)
17
Joseph Lincoln
1859 - 1938 Accord, Massachusetts
“Joseph Whiting Lincoln, (1859-1938), was born and lived in an area of south Hingham, Massachusetts known as Accord. The name came from Accord Pond which was the boundary of common consent between the towns of Hingham, Rockland and Norwell.” “The 90 acre pond was a critical component of Hingham’s water supply and the focal point of Joe’s life where he fished and hunted. After he finished school, Joe worked in shoe factories in Holbrook and Rockland before going out on his own. “In 1908 Joe was listed in the Hingham and Cohasset Directory as ‘Carpenter’, while in later years his occupation was noted as ‘Decoy Maker’. Joe also made gun stocks, was an upholsterer, furniture and clock repairer, boat builder, photographer and flower grower. He also designed and made lapstreak boats.
Joseph Lincoln photographed with table of decoys included brant. Courtesy Cap Vinal
“Joe’s decoys were produced in the cooper’s shop adjacent to his home. They were made of white cedar harvested in a swamp that he and his brother owned, while the heads were made from pine. After cutting the logs into blocks, Joe used a foot treadle bandsaw to cut the outline, then drawshaves and knives before finish sanding.” “Joe Lincoln is most remembered for his decoys which are highly prized for their economy of design and simple, yet effective paint.” 1.”Joseph W. Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, 1/26/1859-2/16/1938, Cap Vinal, copyright, 2002. 2.”Decoy Magazine”, Nov/Dec, 1999, article on Joe Lincoln, Donna Tonelli, pp. 8-13
30
18
30 Detail
30.
Classic brant, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, circa 1920s. Head is in slightly forward swimming pose. Original paint with good detail and minor wear; age split in underside; very lightly hit by shot.
Literature: “Joseph Lincoln,” Cap Vinal, p. 35.
(20,000 - 30,000)
30 Detail
19
31
32
32 Detail 20
31.
Classic merganser hen, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; worn area on breast; filled “in the making” age split in back that has opened up somewhat over the years; touchup to small worn area on one edge of tail; three small defects in wood that were filled when the decoy was made.
Literature: “Joseph Lincoln,” Cap Vinal, p. 27.
32.
Very rare swimming Canada goose, George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire. Canvas over wooden frame. “J.P. Buckley” is carved into the underside. Used in Rockport, Massachusetts. Paint was restored 20 to 30 years ago; cracks in neck; small worn areas in canvas.
Provenance: Connally collection.
Literature: “Finely Carved and Nicely Painted,” Jim Cullen, p. 50. (3,500 - 4,500)
(6,500 - 9,500)
33 Detail
33
33.
Rare merganser drake, George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire, 1st quarter 20th century. Good form with slightly turned and lifted head; paddle tail. An unusual transitional style with carving characteristics of both Boyd’s early and later styles. Original paint with moderate discoloration and wear. Several filled “in the making” cracks in body that have opened somewhat; professional repair to approximately 1/3 of the bill and to a chip on one edge of the tail. Also, touchup to a couple of small spots on one side of the head and the center of the back, all done by Russ Allen. Lightly hit by shot.
Provenance: Picked this September from a garage in Grand Lakes Stream, Maine.
Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph, p. 48. “Finely Carved and Nicely Painted,” Jim Cullen, p. 34. (10,000 - 14,000) 21
34
34.
Exceptional rigmate pair of canvas over wooden frame slat Canada geese, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, first quarter 20th century. Both have well sculpted heads with tack eyes and applied bills. Approximately 38” long. Finely detailed original paint; minor wear mostly on one lower side from decoy being rubbed against something; few minor tears at canvas at lower edge.
Provenance: Found in a beach cottage on Pleasant Bay, near Chatham on Cape Cod. The cottage was purchased from Ed Kidder by the current owners in the 1930s. A rig of these decoys, along with live penned geese were used there.
Literature: “Joseph Lincoln,” Cap Vinal, p. 40.
22
(16,000 - 20,000)
Lincoln with canvas covered geese, white wing scoter, old squaw and rig of ruddy ducks “Joseph Lincoln,” Cap Vinal
34
34 Detail
34 Detail
23
Maryland
35
36
37
38
39
40
35.
Rare flat bottom style goldeneye drake, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Slightly turned head. From the hunting rig of Harry Walsh. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; slight separation at neck seam; a few tiny dents. Provenance: Purchased by the consignor at the Midwest Decoy Collectors Show in 1982. (500 - 800)
36. Rigmate pair of goldeneyes, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Signed. Excellent and original. (800 - 1,200) 37. Pair of redheads, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Signed and dated 1987. Very good and original. (700 - 1,000) 24
38.
Two canvasback drakes, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Signed. One has been lightly hit by shot, otherwise very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
39.
Cork body Canada goose, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Slightly turned head. Written on underside “Made, circa 1955, Charlie Joiner.” Repainted 1981. Old in use repaint by Charlie joiner; a few chips missing from cork. (500 - 800)
40. Canada goose, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Signed. Original paint with minor discoloration; a few tiny dents. (650 - 950)
41.
Brant, Lloyd Sterling, Crisfield, Maryland. Good feather paint detail. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; fairly narrow age split in back; small cracks; neck seat has raised slightly. (1,500 - 2,500)
41 42. Canada goose, Lloyd Tyler, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1930s. Slightly turned head. Old paint, much of which appears to be original; numerous cracks in body. (1,500 - 2,500)
42
43. Pintail drake, Noah Sterling, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1900. Particularly fine form. Original paint with moderate wear; numerous cracks; neck is raised slightly from the neck seat; eyes are missing; small rough area on top of head.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 143. (3,000 - 5,000)
44.
Swimming Canada goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, early 1930s. Old in use repaint; numerous cracks; age split in back; old repairs to several fairly large chips at top of tail.
Provenance: Megargee collection. (3,000 - 5,000)
43
44 25
Shorebirds
45 46 47
45 Detail
45.
Rare lesser yellowlegs, Joel Barkelow, Forked River, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Fine feather paint detail.
Literature: “Classic New Jersey Decoys,” James Doherty, Jr., p. 171. (6,500 - 9,500)
46.
Curlew with tack eyes, Cape May, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with some feather detail and minor wear; structurally good. (3,500 - 4,500)
26
47.
Full body black bellied plover, Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Original paint with very little wear; alligatoring to paint on top of tail and part of back; small amount of paint shrinkage on neck; small crack in underside. (3,500 - 5,500)
48
48.
48A
48B
Golden plover from Nantucket, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Abstract and very attractive paint pattern. Original paint with very slight wear; lightly hit by shot; bill is a professional replacement by Paul Fortin. (2,000 - 3,000)
48A. “Lincoln type” yellowlegs, Hingham, Massachusetts, circa 1900. Papier mache construction with tack eyes and wooden bill. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 48B. Very large curlew, Brigantine, New Jersey. Relief wing carving with extended wing tips and shoe button eyes. Two piece body construction. Original paint with minor wear; moderate wear on bill; vertical body seam has separated slightly; small shot scar on top of tail. (1,500 - 2,500)
48C
48C. Gunning black bellied plover, George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire, circa 1900. Slightly lifted head with shoe button eyes. Relief wing carving. Fine paint detail. Original paint with very minor wear; slight fading on one side; three small shot marks; very slight wear to wood at tip of tail and tip of bill.
Literature: “Finely Carved and Nicely Painted,” Jim Cullen, p. 23 (4,000 - 6,000)
27
Daniel Lake Leeds
1852 - 1922 Pleasantville, New Jersey
A selection of the six known species of shorebirds made by Leeds Page 176, Classic New Jersey Decoys, James R. Doherty
Daniel Lake Leeds (1852-1922) of Pleasantville, New Jersey is credited with making mostly shorebirds. His characteristic style was to blend detailed paint patterns with carved raised wings and split tails.
28
49 50
50 Detail
49 Detail 49.
Rare sandpiper, Daniel Lake Leeds, Pleasantville, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Fine feather paint detail. Near mint original paint; small tail chip repair.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Gary Giberson. (10,000 - 14,000)
50.
Classic black bellied plover, Daniel Lake Leeds, Pleasantville, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving. In spring breeding plum-
age. Strong original paint; several small worn areas on underside; bill may be a later replacement.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery, McCleery collection stamp is under the tail. Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s auction January 2000, lot 349, exact decoy.
Literature: “Call to the Sky,” Robert Shaw, p. 55, exact decoy. “The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys,” Joe Engers, editor, p. 120. (9,500 - 12,500) 29
51
52
53
54
55
56
51.
Running curlew from Cape May, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; two cracks in one side; professional repair to a crack in the neck; several surface cracks and several rough areas in one side where it appears the decoy was made from a used piece of wood. (1,250 - 1,750)
52.
Curlew from Cape May, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Carved eyes. Bill is splined through to back of head. Original paint with minor wear; small crack in tail; several small dents; tiny rough spot on one edge of tail.
Provenance: Megargee collection. Mackey collection stamp under tail. Formerly in collection of Somers Headly, stamped “SGH” twice in underside. (1,400 - 1,800)
53.
Robin snipe, attributed to Lloyd Parker, Parkertown, New Jersey, circa 1900. Original paint with minor wear; hairline crack in bill. (1,750 - 2,250)
30
54.
Feeding sandpiper, William Stiles, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Flat sided.
Provenance: “GNG” is written on underside for Gary Giberson. Literature: “American Bird Decoys,” William Mackey, p. 35. (800 - 1,200) 55.
Black bellied plover, Harry Gale. Second coat of paint with minor wear; lightly hit by shot.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
56.
Black bellied plover, James Doughty, Somers Point, New Jersey. Three piece body construction. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; structurally good. (500 - 700)
(400 - 600)
57
57 Detail
57.
Rare set of three curlew in various poses, Cape May, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Quite large, approximately 18” long. Iron bills. Two stick holes in each decoy. Original paint with moderate wear; split through one head from expansion at iron bill, was nailed back together a long time ago; tiny crack on face of another; several tiny chips and dents.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(17,500 - 22,500)
31
New Jersey
58
59
60
61
62
63
58.
Rigmate pair of bluebills, Jay Parker, Parkertown, New Jersey. Earlier examples of his work. Original paint with good patina and a few small rubs; hairline crack through hen’s neck. (1,250 - 1,750)
59.
Very rare merganser hen, Mark Kears, Northfield, New Jersey. Worn old paint; small dents and tiny chips; bill appears to be an old replacement.
Provenance: Ex collection of Kirk Whaley. Ex collection of William J. Mackey, Jr., Mackey collection stamp on underside.
Literature: “American Wildfowl Decoys: From Folk Art to Factory,” p. 12, exact decoy. (1,250 - 1,750) 60.
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Bluebill drake, Harry M. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; crack through neck base; a few small dents.
Literature: “Classic New Jersey Decoys,” James Doherty, Jr., p. 84. (2,000 - 2,500)
61.
Black duck, Harry M. Shourds, Ocean City, New Jersey, circa 1920s. “TFP” is carved in the underside for Terry Parsons. “ELC” is also branded in the underside. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; professional bill repair. (1,500 - 2,000)
62.
Bluebill hen, Jess Birdsall, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Body halves are joined with small wooden dowels. Original paint with minor wear; moderate wear on center of back; structurally good. (1,500 - 2,000)
63.
Rigmate pair of oversize black ducks, Clark Madera, Pitman, New Jersey. Original paint with minor wear; bodies have paint flaking; structurally very good. (1,250 - 1,750)
64.
Rare bluebill drake, Clark Madera, Pitman, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century. Relief wing carving with good paint detail. Original paint with slight wear and very good patina; hairline crack in neck.
Literature: “New Jersey Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 186. (4,000 - 6,000)
64 65.
Rare bluebill hen, Clark Madera, Pitman, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century. Exhibits raised shoulder carving and nice detail around the bill. Original paint shows minor wear and a mellow surface; structurally excellent. (3,000 - 5,000)
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66.
Classic merganser hen, Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; working touch up on white areas of the underside; crack through neck; lightly hit by shot.
Literature: “Classic New Jersey Decoys,” James Doherty, p. 44. (4,000 - 6,000)
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67. Exceptional Canada goose, Stanley Grant, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Near mint original paint; never used; structurally very good.
Literature: “Classic New Jersey Decoys,” James Doherty, Jr., p. 146, exact decoy. (4,000 - 6,000)
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Ontario and New York 68.
Mallard drake, in the style of the Stevens Brothers, Weedsport, New York. Very similar form and paint technique, circa 1900. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; a dozen small nail holes in the back where duck wings had been nailed to it at one time; small dents. (2,000 - 3,000)
69.
Rare greenwing teal hen, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. A few tiny paint drips on head and body; very small scrape on one lower side.
Provenance: Formerly in the Hayes collection, Buffalo, New York. (2,000 - 3,000)
68
69
70. Rare widgeon drake, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. Original paint with minor wear; a few tiny dents. (2,750 - 3,250)
70 71.
71 34
Hollow carved long body style canvasback drake, Tom Chambers, Toronto, Ontario. Branded “PHD” with a stencil “Ph. Demming” on underside. Also branded “Hilke”. Original paint on head, dark areas of body and underside; the light area has had old overpaint taken off leaving moderately worn original paint with traces of old overpaint; a few small dents and shot marks; small crack in back. (2,250 - 2,750)
Harry Townson 1858 - 1926 Toronto, Ontario
72.
Rare greenwing teal hen, Harry Townson, Toronto, Ontario, circa 1900. Raised neck seat and fine scratch paint detail. Original paint with very minor wear; small spots worn to the primer on one side of lower breast.
Provenance: The second of two consigned by a member of the Townson Family. (10,000 - 14,000)
72 Detail
Harry Townson
72
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73.
Pair of hollow carved black ducks, Long Island, New York. Inlet heads and relief wingtip carving. Original paint with minor discoloration and a few small rubs; structurally good. (650 - 950)
76.
Solid body black duck, from the Toronto Harbor area, 1st quarter 20th century. Original scratch feather paint with minor wear, mostly on head; a few small dents. (500 - 800)
74.
Merganser hen from Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Raised neck seat and carved eyes. Worn old paint; small dents; small cracks under tail; roughness to one side of tail.
77.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
Large hollow carved black duck, Robert Kerr, Smith Falls, Ontario. Kerr stamp in underside. Detailed feather carving with raised wingtips and fluted tail. Slightly turned head and good scratch paint detail. A few tiny dents, otherwise very good and original. (400 - 600)
75.
Black duck, Stevens Brothers, Weedsport, New York, circa 1880s. Brand in underside. Old in use repaint; reglued cracks in bill; thin chip missing from one edge of tail. (400 - 600)
78.
Hunting style old squaw drake, Frank Schmidt, Burlington, Ontario. Detailed feather carving. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; keel has been rem oved. (350 - 450)
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(600 - 900)
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84
79.
Hollow carved goldeneye hen, Peter Pringle, Dunnville, Ontario. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (900 - 1,200)
82. Early style black duck, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. Original paint with a few shot marks and very minor wear. (650 - 950)
80.
Rigmate pair of goldeneye, Long Island, New York, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; small shot scar in hen’s tail; several small surface cracks. (500 - 800)
83.
Goldeneye hen, Long Island, New York, 1st quarter 20th century. Carved ridge on top of tail. Original paint; minor wear; structurally good. (350 - 450)
81.
Rigmate pair of bluebills, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. A few tiny dents otherwise very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750)
84.
Canvasback drake, Stevens Brothers, Weedsport, New York, circa 1880s. Worn Stevens label under the bill, also branded “Ceroe”. Old in use repaint with some original on head; small dents and shot marks; small crack in underside. (800 - 1,200)
37
The Ward Brothers Crisfield, Maryland
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85.
Rare 1948 model widgeon drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Balsa body with inserted cedar tail and slightly turned cedar head. Signed and dated 1952. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents.
Provenance: Formerly in the Amarosa collection. Rigmate is on permanent display at the Ward Museum in Salisbury, Maryland.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 89. (6,500 - 9,500)
86.
1948 model pintail drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Balsa body with inserted cedar tail and slightly turned cedar head. Original paint with good detail and minor wear; a few small dents in the balsa.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 57. (5,000 - 8,000)
87.
Well sculpted 1948 model black duck, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Wide balsa body with inserted cedar tail and slightly turned cedar head. Fine feather paint detail. Original paint with very minor shrinkage on body around head; a few small dents. (6,000 - 9,000)
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87
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88
89
88.
Rigmate pair 1936 model of bluebills, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; hen has an age split in the back, both have significant bill repairs. (5,000 - 8,000)
89.
Pair of balsa mallards, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. “Best grade”. Signed and dated 1958. Balsa bodies with turned cedar heads and inserted cedar tails. Raised wingtips. Near mint original paint; drake has had repair to a small chip missing from one wingtip.
Provenance: From an estate in Western Pennsylvania. (5,000 - 8,000) 39
The Ward Brothers Crisfield, Maryland
Lem and Steve Ward judging at an early waterfowl competition.
Pintails were found in great numbers in the lower portion of the Eastern Shore. Like a few other species they will typically only decoy to other pintail decoys so for hunters to successfully harvest them, decent size pintail rigs were needed. This was obviously good for the Wards business. The Wards made pintails throughout their carving career starting prior to 1920 and they modified their style often. The pintail was Lems favorite bird and this preference likely had an impact on the quality of painting we see on the birds, the back of this hen is a perfect example. Many Ward collectors feel there are no finer decoys made than 1932 and 1932 models pintails.
40
90
90 Detail
90
90 Detail
90 Detail
90.
Exceedingly rare and important pair of pintails, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. 1932 models. Both have extremely fine feather paint detail and form. Near mint original paint; each has a slight separation to the filler at the top of the head that covers inset screw holding the head to the body. Drake has an exceptionally well done repair to a very small bill chip and a tail chip by Russ Allen; both were never rigged.
Provenance: From the White Mallard Gun Club, near Calusa, California.
(120,000 - 150,000)
90 Detail 43
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92
91 Detail
91.
Canada goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. “LT Ward and Bro” stamp on underside. Dated 1934. Good form with ice dip behind neck and slightly turned head. Old overpaint has worn to the original in many places, especially the breast; two cracks through neck; cracks in body.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 103. (6,000 - 9,000)
44
92 Detail
92.
Canada goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa early 1930. Slightly turned head. Very appealing old in use repaint; appears to have been done by the Wards at a later date; shallow rough area approximately 1” x 4” on one side from when the decoy was made, it had filler in it and was painted, but the filler has fallen out; small cracks.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 103. (7,500 - 9,500)
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95
96
97
98
93.
1936 model black duck, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Slightly turned head. Body is a mixture of original paint and repaint; crack through neck base; most of head has been repainted. (1,500 - 2,500)
96. Pair of shooting stool bluebills, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1970. Both have turned heads. Original paint with almost no wear; hen has a crack in the underside. (2,500 - 3,500)
94.
1936 model pintail hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. A long time ago a bottom board was added with filler at the seam and touchup on the sides, appears to have been done by the Ward Brothers; cracks in neck. (2,000 - 3,000)
97.
1948 model widgeon drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Balsa body with inserted cedar tail and slightly turned cedar head. Repainted by Ward Brothers at a later date; small dents in balsa. (1,000 - 1,400)
95.
Shooting stool model brant, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1960s. Relief wing carving and slightly turned head. Near mint original paint; a few tiny dents.
98.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
Bluebill hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1932. Slightly turned head. Original paint with moderate wear; small cracks in back, larger crack in lower side; chip missing from underside of tail; small rough spot at lower side.
Provenance: From an estate in Chestertown, Maryland. (2,000 - 3,000)
(2,000 - 3,000)
45
The Ward Brothers Crisfield, Maryland
According to a number of resources, in the mid 1930’s the Wards were starting to ship decoys to gun clubs and sporting goods stores around the country, at the time they we charging approximately $24.00 per dozen for the pintails, mallards and canvasbacks. This pair of mallards has been consigned from a home in Houston Texas. The owner’s grandparents purchased them at a sporting goods store while living in Shreveport, LA.
99
46
99 Detail
99.
Rare and exceptional unused rigmate pair of mallards, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Both 1936 model with slightly turned heads. Fine bill carving with nostril cut all the way through. Purportedly sold at a sporting good store in Shreveport Port, Louisiana in the 1930s. Purchased by a family in Houston, Texas at that time, and never used. Near mint original paint; structurally excellent; drake has minor wear on edges of bill and a few small dark paint rubs on body; hen has a small amount of wood filler missing where dowel is exposed at top of head. (40,000 - 60,000)
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Mason Decoy Factory 1896 - 1924 Detroit, Michigan
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103
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105
100. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Both have been gouged on underside to remove brand or weight. Smaller body style. Strong original paint; hen has shot scars to both sides of body and head; drake has shot scars on one side; dent in back of drake; light edge wear.
Provenance: Seitz collection.
(1,500 - 2,000)
101. Pair of mallards, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Challenge grade. Both have original paint; hen has tail chip that has the original piece reglued, repair to tip of bill; drake has body check running the length of one side; a few shot scars; wear spots of exposed bare wood.
Provenance: Seitz collection.
(1,500 - 2,000)
102. Merganser drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Original paint with moderate wear; professional touchup to part of each speculum; small dents in worn areas. (1,500 - 2,000) 48
103. Black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Bold original paint with very slight wear; thin crack in underside; old touchup to several small scrapes on one lower side. (1,200 - 1,500) 104. Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Early Premier grade model. Orignal paint with minor wear; professional repair to the end of the drake’s bill; touchup on part of hen’s bill; both have been hit by shot; each has as thin crack in the back. (2,000 - 3,000) 105. Redhead drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Early premier grade model, circa 1905 with snakey head style. Original paint with very minor wear and good patina; professional repair to a small chip at the tip of the bill; a little shiney; traces of old newsprint on both lower sides.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 44. (2,500 - 3,500)
106. Exceptional black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade with early snakey head style, circa 1910. Retains Mason premier stamp on underside. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents; small crack at neck seam.
Provenance: Rose collection. (4,500 - 6,500)
106 107. Rigmate pair of mallards, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Bold loop feather paint patterns. Original paint with minor wear; shallow and fairly small tail chip repair on both decoys; small crack in lower side of hen and at hen’s neck base; a few tiny dents.
Provenance: Rose collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 20. (4,000 - 6,000)
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108. Bluewing teal drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Bold original paint with very little wear; one eye and much of the neck filler has been professionally replaced; professional paint touch up to several small paint bubbles on back. (3,500 - 4,500)
108 109. Pair of canvasbacks, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with minor to moderate discoloration and wear; discoloration on back; small dents; small chip and crack in underside of hen.
Provenance: Rose collection. (3,000 - 5,000)
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111
112
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114
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110. Mallard hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade with early snakey head style. Original paint with minor wear; moderate wear on back; crack through neck; shot mark on end of bill; tiny tail chips missing; two cracks at back.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(1,000 - 1,500)
111. Special order mallard hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905. Hollow. Challenge grade. Strong original paint; left eye missing; two hairline cracks in back; a few small dents and small areas where paint is missing.
Provenance: Seitz collection.
(1,000 - 1,500)
112. Mallard drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Early snakey head premier grade style. Branded “RAH” Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; most of the wear is on the head; numerous small tail chips missing and small dents. (650 - 950)
50
116 113. Mallard drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Rare early tack eye model. Original paint with very slight wear; small surface crack in one side of head and neck.
Provenance: Rose collection.
(650 - 950)
114. Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade, Back Bay Virginia models. Paint has been restored in the Mason Style; moderate flaking and wear; a few small dents and surface cra cks. (650 - 950) 115. Pair of bluebills, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade Back Bay Virginia models. Paint has been restored in the Mason style; each has an age split in the underside and a few small dents. (500 - 800) 116. Bluebill drake Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; small amount of separation at the body seam. (550 - 850)
117 Detail
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117. Rare dove, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905. Glass eye model. Excellent detailed feather paint swirling and sponge painting. One of the better examples we have handled. Iron bill. Strong and thick original paint with two areas with newspaper attached; slight rough area at top of head.
Provenance: “Hunter collection” written on underside. (3,500 - 4,500)
119. Black bellied plover, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Tack eye model. Original paint with minor wear; professional touchup by Russ Allen to the black area on the head; old overpaint taken off top of head; several tiny dents.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of Joe French, Marathon, Florida. (2,500 - 3,500)
118. Yellowlegs, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1900. Tack eye model with iron bill. Very strong dry original paint; scratch mark near one eye; one very small dent. (1,500 - 2,500)
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Related Items
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120. Early two sided game board. American checkers, red black and white, and parcheesi with four colors; red, yellow, green, and black. “Home” is written in center, along with painted image of an early American home. Board has stained and varnished frame. Original paint protected by an old coat of varnish that has crazed nicely. (1,500 - 2,000) 121. Carved wooden cat with dead mouse, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Unsigned. Mounted on round base that has comb painting on it. Approximately 14” tall. A few small paint specs and tiny rubs. (1,250 - 1,750) 122. Large wooden platter with flying ducks, William Rienbold. Platter made by Robert Hass, Jr. Signed. Approximately 14” in diameter. Strong original paint; alligatoring and build up in some areas of the original varnish; structurally very good. (950 - 1,250) 52
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123. Carved wooden goat with deer antler horns, made to hang from ceiling, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Signed. Approximately 20” long. Original paint with a small amount of weathering; structurally good. (400 - 600) 124. Wicker basket filled with decoy heads. Some are from old working decoys. Others are in various stages of carving. Approximately 40. Excellent to good. (350 - 450) 125. Carved wooden milk bottle on old iron bracket, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Signed. Approximately 12” tall. Worn original paint; a few small dents. (350 - 450) 126. Set of approximately 25 issues of Gun Digest. 1960 1985. Original and good. (350 - 450)
127. Rare and desirable setter weathervane, Cushing Factory, circa 1900. Approximately 34” long and 4” wide. Cross bar has good verdigris. Dog has a more recent coat of gold paint. Included are directional and post that are 49” tall. Scratches and few small dents; structurally good. (3,000 - 5,000)
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127 128. Early sheet iron weathervane figure of a steer, circa 1900. 40” long x 24” high. Heavy hand cut iron of a steer rests on bar, which is mounted on painted wooden base. Excellent age has pitted iron and mellowed; very early coat of red paint; structurally very good with slight separation of iron at front feet. Provenance: Friend’s for Long Island Heritage. (3,000 - 5,000)
128 129. Mermaid whirligig, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Approximately 32” long. Detailed carving. Original paint with discoloration in some areas; structurally good. (1,500 - 2,500)
129 130. Metal carnival sculpture, Curtis Jere, circa 1960s. Approximately 50” long. Surface rust; some paint remains; structurally good. (1,400 - 1,800)
130 53
Louisiana
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131 Detail
131. Very rare pintail drake, Domingo Campo, Shell Beach, Louisiana. Relief wing carving and tack eyes. Original paint with moderate wear; a few tiny dents.
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Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 240. Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid, p. 223. (7,500 - 9,500)
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132. Rare and exceptional dove, Reme Roussel, Raceland, Louisiana. Split tail with wing and feather painting. Provenance: George Ross Starr collection stamp on underside, as well as Hunter 11 on underside of tail. (4,000 - 6,000)
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133. Rare pintail hen, John Scott Young, New Orleans, Louisiana. Scott’s “JSY, NOLA” brand in underside. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; numerous small dents in body; dent in top of bill.
136. Mallard hen, George Frederick, Jr., Davant Louisiana. Slightly turned head. Signed on the underside. Near mint original paint; small defect in wood at tip of tail.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie p. 166. (1,400 - 1,800)
134. Rare pintail drake, John Scott Young, New Orleans, Louisiana. “JSY, NOLA” brand in underside. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; numerous small dents in back; professional repair to the part of the tail. Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie p. 188. (1,400 - 1,800) 135. Pintail hen, George Frederick, Jr., Davant, Louisiana. Slightly turned head. Near mint original paint; structurally excellent.
Literature: “Voices from the Bayou,” Charles Frank, p. 133. (1,600 - 2,000)
Literature: “Voices from the Bayou,” Charles Frank, p. 133. (1,600 - 2,000)
137. Mallard drake, George Frederick, Jr., Davant, Louisiana. Slightly turned head. Near mint original paint; small dent in one speculum.
Literature: “Voices from the Bayou,” Charles Frank, p. 133. (1,600 - 2,000)
138. Rare preening mallard hen, Mitchell LaFrance, Charles Frederick, and Charles Joefrau, St. Sophie, Louisiana, circa 1930s. Relief wing carving. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; hit by shot; small chip missing from one side of tail; head is a professional replacement.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 182. (1,000 - 1,500) 55
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139. Bluewing teal hen, Laurent Verdin, Bayou Blue, Louisiana. Original paint with minor wear; small crack in underside; several small surface cracks on tail; slight roughness to one edge of bill.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 32. (500 - 800)
140. Large coot decoy, Jewels E. Frederick, New Orleans, Louisiana. Relief wing carving. Original paint with slight wear; structurally good; never used.
Literature: “Voices from the Bayou,” Charles Frank, p. 108. (500 - 800)
141. Mallard drake, Dewey and Tatie Pertuit, Graceland, Louisiana. Original paint with very minor wear; puppy chew marks at end of bill.
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Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie p. 65. (600 - 900)
142. Swimming bluewing teal drake, Xavier Bourg, Larose, Louisiana. Painted eyes. Original paint with moderate wear; defect in wood in underside; small crack in breast.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 70. (600 - 900)
143. Mallard hen, Dewey and Tatie Pertuit, Graceland, Louisiana. Original paint with very slight wear; several tiny dents.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 65. (600 - 900)
144. Coot, Mark Whipple, Bourg, Louisiana. Original paint with minor wear; tiny chip missing from underside of tip of bill; numerous small dents. (500 - 800)
144A
144A Detail 144A. Pintail hen and drake, Mitchell LaFrance, St. Sophie, Louisiana. His earlier round bottom carving style with relief wing carving. Original paint with very minor wear on hen; minor wear on most of the drake; moderate wear on underside of drake; hen has a small area of professional touchup in center of back, right behind head; drake has a professional repair to a chip in one side of the bill and neck chip repair; has numerous tiny dents; two hairline cracks in breast and a reglued tail chip.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,� Brian Cheramie, p. 182.
(5,000 - 7,000)
57
144B. Bluewing teal drake, Adam Pape, Floresan, Louisiana. Relief wing carving. Three small nail holes in back. Three small nail holes in back; several dents near one eye; original paint with slight wear; old neck crack repair.
Provenance: Old brass tag bearing the number “58” on underside indicates decoy was from Charles Frank’s hunting rig. (2,000 - 3,000)
144B
144C
144E
144C. Pair of mallards attributed to Alan Perez, Phoenix, Louisiana. In swimming pose with relief wing carving and unusual concave bottoms. Hen’s head is slightly turned. Appealing old in use repaint with good patina and minor wear; crack through hen’s neck; filler added to chips in underside of hen when decoys were repainted. (1,250 - 1,750) 144D. Pintail drake, Clovis Vizier, Galliano, Louisiana. Relief wing carving with extended wingtips and fluted tail. Dry original paint that has darkened with age; a few small dents. (1,250 - 1,750)
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144D
144F
144E. Bluewing teal drake, Xavier Bourg, Larose, Louisiana. Original paint with minor wear; tiny chips at two serated wingtips; tiny tail chip missing, and tiny chip missing from one edge of underside. (800 - 1,200) 144F. Widgeon drake attributed to Alan Perez, Phoenix, Louisiana. Relief wing carving. Concave carving in bottom. Appealing old in use repaint; small cracks; very slight roughness to edge of tail in underside. (650 - 950)
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145. Rare preening bluewing teal drake, Laurent Verdin, Bayou Blue, Louisiana. Original paint with very slight wear; small crack through neck base.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brain Cheramie, p. 32. (650 - 950)
an old coat of varnish; structurally very good.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 75. (800 - 1,200)
149.
Pintail drake, Jimmie Vizier, Galliano, Louisiana. Signed and dated on underside. Competition bird from Ward Museum. Strong feather combing. Excellent original paint; tiny dent in tail feather and in one small area of side pocket; repaired by Vizier. (800 - 1,200)
146. Late pair of pintails, Laurent Verdin, Bayou Blue, Louisiana. Near mint original paint; structurally very good.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 32. (650 - 950)
147. Ringneck drake, Walter Champagne, Bourgue, Louisiana. Original paint with minor wear; small surface crack in one side.
Literature: “Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie, p. 88. (750 - 1,000)
148. Swimming mallard hen, Xavier Bourg, Larose, Louisiana. Tack eyes. Strong original paint protected by
150. Pair of preening pintails, Mitchell LaFrance, St. Sophie, Louisiana. Original paint with a few small rubs and never used; small rough spot at tip of drake’s tail and drake’s neck base.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Charles Frank, New Orleans, Louisiana. Displayed at numerous exhibitions and museums including; New Orleans Museum of Arts, September 1975, University of New Orleans, September 1976, Hillsborough County Museum, Tampa, Florida, November 1976, West Baton Rouge Historical Society, 1974. (1,000 - 1,500) 59
Maryland 151.
Rare “high neck” style canvasback drake, Taylor Boyd, Perryville, Maryland, circa 1900. Original paint with moderate wear; small cracks; neck has raised slightly from the neck seat.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 104. (3,000 - 5,000)
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152. Rigmate pair of widgeon, Captain John Glenn, Rock Hall, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Both have original paint; drake is very good and original; hen has some paint loss due to something being dripped on back of decoy; small crack in back, and a rough area in one side of the bill. (3,000 - 4,000)
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153. Pintail hen and drake, Captain John Glenn, Rock Hall, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Inscription underside of drake reads “Bob Tucker Remington Farms Gun Club”. Original paint with minor wear; repair to a couple of neck cracks in the hen; small dents. (3,000 - 4,000)
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154. Pair of canvasbacks, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Drake has McGaw brand in underside. Strong original paint; very little wear; hen has a fairly large crack in the underside. (4,000 - 6,000)
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155 Detail Barnes Ice House in 2013
155. Rare bluewing teal hen, James Holly, Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Scratch feather paint detail on back. Tie strap and weight area attached with square nails. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; a few small dents; professional repair by Russ Allen to a chip missing from one side of neck base.
Provenance: Recently found in an ice house in Charlestown, Maryland.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 87.
(9,000 - 12,000) 61
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156. Canvasback drake, Leonard Pryor. Repainted by Severin Hall; cracks in neck. (1,000 - 1,400) 157. Rare canvasback hen, John Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Branded “P.K. Barnes” for Captain Perry K. Barnes. Appealing old in use repaint; crack through neck; minor roughness in one edge of bill; small cracks in body. (1,250 - 1,750) 158. Pintail drake, John Glenn, Rock Hall, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear and good patina; filled defect in wood in one side from when the decoy was made; cracks in body; small plug in back from when the decoy was made. (1,400 - 1,800)
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159. Rare pair of “pancake style” canvasbacks, Ben Dye, Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Old repaint; numerous cracks and dents. (1,500 - 2,000) 160. Pair of canvasbacks, Will Heverin, Chestertown, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Hen is from the Pennock Rig. “LP” is carved under the tail. Paint appears to be two coats by Heverin; dripping on underside of drake; small dents. (1,500 - 2,000) 161. Canvasback drake, Scott Jackson, Charlestown, Maryland. Faint old brand in bottom appears to read “H.P.W.” Appealing old in use repaint; thin chip missing from one side of bill. (1,500 - 2,000)
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162. Black duck, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Near mint original paint; hairline crack in underside. (2,000 - 3,000)
165. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Captain John Glenn, Rock Hall, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear; small cracks; some of the filler is missing at the nail in top of drake’s head. (2,000 - 3,000)
163.
Bluebill drake, James Holly, Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with discoloration and very minor wear; thin crack through neck base and bill; a few small dents.
166. Pair of pintails, John Glenn, Rock Hall, Maryland. Original paint with minor wear; small cracks and dents.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., 83. (2,000 - 2,500) 164. Bluebill hen and drake, August Heinfield, Rock Hall, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Drake is branded “GIPT”. Original paint with minor wear; hen has small cracks and shot marks as well a small defect in wood in underside; drake has fairly narrow age split in back.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 142. (2,000 - 2,500)
167. Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, John Glenn, Rock Hall, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. “KK” is carved in the underside of each. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; small crack in underside of each. (2,500 - 3,500)
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 142. (2,000 - 3,000) 63
Lloyd Sterling
1880 - 1964 Crisfield, Maryland Lloyd Sterling carved flat bottomed decoys in the classic Crisfield, Maryland style. His pintails and widgeon are what he is best known for, and have often been mistakenly identified as the work of the Ward Brothers. There is an obvious association between Sterling and the Ward Brothers as some of Sterling’s work is known to have appeared in original Ward paint. Sterling, however, was an accomplished painter in his own right.
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168 Detail
168. Rare widgeon drake, Lloyd Sterling, Crisfield, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Slightly turned head. Extremely fine scratch paint detail at wingtips. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; short crack in back; thin crack in underside. Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 132. (17,500 - 22,500)
168 Detail 65
Gunning the Chesapeake
One of the most ingenious watercraft designed for market gunning is the sinkbox- a coffin-shaped depression in the water surrounded by a low platform, weighted with lead decoys to float at level with the waterline. Meant to provide camouflage in the wide open waters of the Susquehanna flats, the sinkbox was almost imperceptible from above. Ringed with canvasback and redhead decoys, the sinkbox, with reclining market hunter inside, merged seamlessly with silver water, wispy fog, and grey sky to paint a perfectly Chesapeake (and perfectly deadly) trompe l’oeil. Recounting his days market hunting the Flats in 1878, Bennett Keen recalled, “Our kill out of a sinkbox often ran to well over 100 ducks in a morning… We’d get maybe as much as $1.25 for a pair of canvas and as little as 25 cents for a pair of blackheads.” Hunting transitioned in the late 19th century to include the first generations of recreational gunners. A trend that mirrored the larger national craze for all things outdoors (the Boy Scouts, bicycles, and national parks all had their origins at the tail end of the 1800’s, too), hunting was a way for prosperous, middle and upper-class residents of Philadelphia and Baltimore to spend time along the Chesapeake connecting to their latent survival skills. Under the direction of a skilled guide, weekday office workers in natty new tweeds and stiff oiled canvas would track the canvasbacks waffling in with their shotguns poised, ready to reestablish their position on the top of the food chain with a single shot. Credit Kate Livie, http://beautifulswimmers.tumblr.com/
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Leonard Pryor
1876 - 1967 Crisfield, Maryland
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169. Rare black duck, Leonard Pryor, Chesapeake City, Maryland. Stamped “L.E. Pryor” in underside. Raised “V” wing tip carving. Near mint original paint; decoy appears to have been rigged but not been used.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 105. (9,500 - 12,500)
170. Exceptional canvasback drake, Leonard Pryor, Elkton, Maryland. Pryor stamp in underside. Near mint original paint with good detail; never used.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 105. (7,500 - 10,000)
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Contemporary Carvings Cigar Daisey Chincoteague, Virginia
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176 171. Cork body gadwall hen, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded, signed, and identified on keel. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 172. Yellowlegs, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Shoulder carving with split tail. Detailed bill carving and glass eyes. Stamped “Cigar” on underside and signed “Cigar”. Excellent and original. (300 - 500) 173. Yellowlegs carved in the style of Ira Hudson, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Signed. Original paint with a few small rubs and small marks of discoloration; structurally good. (350 - 450)
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177 174. Working canvasback decoy, carved in the Crisfield, Maryland style, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded. Signed and dated 1963. Near mint original paint; a few tiny dents. (650 - 950) 175. Three dowitchers, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. All are branded and signed. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 176.
Four cork body black ducks, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. All are branded and signed. (1,200 - 1,600)
177. Redhead drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Signed and dated 1971. Slightly turned head. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
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178. Hollow carved swimming brant, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. Signed. Carved in the style of Nathan Cobb, Jr. Original paint that has been aged; spider droppings. (2,000 - 3,000)
180. Pair of flat bottom style canvasbacks, George Strunk. Signed and stamped in the weights. Both have raised wing tips and fluted tails. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,800)
179. Two full size flyers, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Dove, signed “George Strunk” with relief carved feathers, slightly turned head, signed and stamped with logo on underside. Willet, carved wing and tail detail. Signed under wing. Excellent and original. (1,200 - 1,500)
181. Pair of wood ducks, George Strunk. Stamped and signed. Both have carved, crossed wing tips and fluted tails. A few small paint rubs, otherwise very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400) 182. Large hollow carved coot, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Signed. Made with pull string that lifts wings and turns head. Very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750) 69
Jim Schmiedlin
When Jim Schmiedlin starting carving his own hunting decoys 40 years ago he could not have imagined the impact it would have on his life. Today, his working and decorative decoys are some of the most sought after carvings since the Ward Brothers era. The reason for the demand is twofold. First there is the aesthetic value of the carvings, undeniably beautiful often with motion and applied paint patterns that are characteristic to only Jim. The second lies within the carver’s personality, character and persona, some of which was built with his time in the US Navy. This gentle giant of a man has become the friend of many. His personal hand written notes with impeccable penmanship, his willingness to help new carvers and offers to many, to take a turn shooting over his personal layout rig, all play a role in the friendships he has nourished.
Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania
In August of 2013, Jim was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. He and his wife Debi have graciously decided to donate the proceeds from the sale of this wood duck, to the Live Like Lou Foundation, which supports patients and families touched by ALS. LiveLikeLou.org donations are fully tax-deductible. For additional information about ALS foundation please visit their website LivelikeLou.org
183 Detail 183. Wood duck drake, Jim Schmiedlin Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Made in July 2008. Branded “JAS” in underside. Head is slightly tilted. Back preening at the wing. Wingtips are offset, crossed and carved. This decoy was displayed in the Jim Schmiedlin exhibition at the Ohio Decoy Show in 2009 and the Midwest decoy show in 2011. Jim’s return for reward sticker on underside. Excellent and original. (6,000 - 8,000)
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184 Detail
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184.
Rare pintail drake, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. “JAS” branded in underside. Turned head, and carved and crossed wingtips. Excellent and original. (4,000 - 6,000)
Jim Schmiedlin layout shooting over his personal gunning rig. 71
North Carolina & Virginia Lee Dudley 1860 - 1942 Knott’s Island, North Carolina
Only this single photo of North Carolina’s most famous decoy maker has survived. A small, slight man who was said to be tough for his size, Dudley made a living carving decoys. Most of his decoys were made and used around 1900. In North Carolina, the seasons were long and the salt water was harsh. One wonders why Lee would have made such a delicate working birds. Pencil thin necks, long bills, it’s a wonder that any survived with the right heads and bills. In fact, probably the majority of Dudley decoys that have survived, either have a new bill, or completely new head. Joel Barber was the first to recognize Dudley’s artistic talents. His book published in 1939 starts off chapter one, with Barbers account of visiting the Dudley farm in Knotts Island, where purchased his first Dudley decoy. Barber wrote, “the decoys were very old and carved to perfection.” Dudley decoys have Lee Dudley
been coveted since and are still regarded as the most coveted and desirable North Carolina decoys made.
185 Detail
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185 Detail
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185. Widgeon drake, Lee Dudley, Knott’s Island, North Carolina, last quarter 19th century. Branded “L.D.” in the underside. Old in use repaint; cracks in neck and body; old bill repair. Literature: “Gunnin’ Birds”, Kroghie Andresen, p. 165.
(8,000 - 10,000)
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Mitchell Fulcher
1869 - 1950 Stacey, North Carolina
Mitchell Fulcher, (1869-1950) known as the most influential carver from Carteret county North Carolina was said to be a perfectionist when it came to carving and painting. Looking at his decoys, it does not take long to notice the obvious influence that Jim Holly had on Fulcher. At some point, Fulcher obtained a number of Holly decoys. Which he repainted and carved MF in the underside.
Mitchell Fulcher
186 Detail
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186 Detail
186. Very rare and important pair of canvasbacks, Mitchell Fulcher, Stacey, North Carolina. Both have “MF” carved in the underside. Original paint with minor flaking and wear on drake, mostly on one side; hen has a thin crack through the neck and two cracks in the underside.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of James Lewis, Jr., Goldsboro, North Carolina. Lot 144 in the Julia and Guyette September 1987 decoy auction.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 235. Decoy Collectors Guide, Winter 1964 issue. (10,000 - 15,000) 75
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187. Swimming Canada goose, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1930. Paint has been restored in the Hudson style; numerous cracks; crack renailed through neck. (800 - 1,200) 188. Hollow carved Canada goose, Charles Birch, Willis Wharf, Virginia. Hollow carved with inserted hardwood bill. Old in use repaint; small tail chip missing from top of tail; crack through neck. (800 - 1,200) 189. Root head brant from Ockracoke Island, North Carolina, circa 1900. Old repaint; numerous cracks; chip missing from top of tail and bill. (650 - 950)
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190. Large working Canada goose decoy, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa late 1960. Cigar brand on underside. Original paint with very minor wear; small rough area on top of bill; a few small dents in body. (1,000 - 1,400) 191. Bluebill hen, Mitchell Fulcher, Stacey, North Carolina, circa 1900. “MF” carved in underside. Old in use repaint; cracks at neck base; lightly hit by shot; wooden strip at the center of the underside was replaced a long time ago. (350 - 450) 192. Cast iron wing duck from North Carolina circa 1900. Worn old paint; small piece missing from one lower side, probably where it was attached to another wing duck with an iron rod. (400 - 600)
193. Extremely rare Canada goose from Southern Currituck County, North Carolina. In very rare original paint; minor wear on head and lower half, moderate wear on upper half; numerous cracks; age split in underside; lightly hit by shot. (15,000 - 18,000)
193 Detail
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New England Shorebirds
194 Detail
When one thinks of the few curlew decoys made in Massachusetts, some iconic pieces quickly come to mind. Obviously Elmer Crowell made at least two gunning curlews, Don O’Brien delighted in canvasing the island of Nantucket for the delicate hudsonian curlew rigs, some of which have attribution to the Folger family. In 1997 a curlew by an unknown maker of the Phillips rig, set a new world record for any decoy at auction, for $335,500. George Starr found the Fox rig curlew that sold a few years ago with a replaced bill for over $115,000. This elegant and well executed gem has characteristics of both Lincoln and Fox rig shorebirds. Likely from the South Shore area, the fine execution of this stately curlew places it in good company.
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194 Detail
194.
Exceptional curlew from the South Shore of Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Approximately 14 1/2” long. Tack eyes. Decoy would be attributed by many people to Joseph Lincoln. Original paint with almost no wear that has darkened with age; bill is a professional replacement by Cameron McIntyre.
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Literature: “Joseph Lincoln,” Cap Vinal, p. 63. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph, p. 84. (35,000 - 45,000)
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195. Set of three greater yellowlegs from Massachusetts. Relief wing carving, paddle tails, and shoe button eyes. Unusual bills that are made from two pieces of heavy wire. Original paint with minor flaking and wear; protected by an old coat of varnish; two have cracks through the neck; one has a crack in the underside and the back.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(5,000 - 8,000)
196. Unusual flying yellowlegs with tin wings and open mouth. Wingflap and mouth closes. Shoe button eyes. 80
Decoy appears to be from Massachusetts. Detailed original paint with minor wear; bottom half of bill is an old replacement. Provenance: Connally collection.(3,000 - 4,000) 197. Golden plover from the Morton rig, Quincy, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Morton brand in underside. Relief wingtip carving. Near mint original paint on most of the decoy; tiny rough spot on top of tail; bill is an old replacement; filled crack in top of head with touchup in that area. (2,000 - 2,500)
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198. Golden plover in rare running pose, Nantucket, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Shoe button eyes. Head and body are made from two separate pieces. Original paint with minor wear; crack most of the way through the body; small crack in head; worn to wood on tail; several small dents. (6,500 - 8,500) 199. Exceptional “Lincoln type” robin snipe, Hingham, Massachusetts, circa 1900. Extra bold paint and tack eyes. In spring breeding plumage. Original paint with very minor wear; several tiny shot holes in breast.
200 Detail
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery collection, Pasadena, Texas. McCleery collection stamp under the tail. Lot 321 in the Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 decoy auction.
200. Very rare golden plover with turned head, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Carrying hole drilled through tail. Original paint with minor wear; very lightly hit by shot.
Literature: “Shorebird decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, p. 71. “Call to the Sky,” Robert Shaw, p. 30, exact decoy. (6,500 - 8,500)
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Joseph B. French. French collection stamp under the tail. (4,000 - 6,000)
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Miniatures
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201. Pair of 1/2 size canvasbacks, Sam Barnes. Mounted on oak bases. Original paint protected by an old coat of varnish; drake has crack in neck; small area of roughness to bill on hen. (800 - 1,000) 202. Miniature pair of canvasbacks, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Mounted on McGaw stands. Appealing dry surface. Original paint; each has small amount of paint loss where nails have slightly popped at top of the head, otherwise very good and original. (800 - 1,000) 203. Miniature goldeneye drake, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Crowell’s rectangular stamp on the underside of the base. Original paint with good patina and a few small rubs on the extremities. (1,000 - 1,400) 204. Two miniatures, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. A merganser drake and a redhead drake. Unmarked. Original paint with very minor shrinkage and wear; structurally good. (1,200 - 1,600) 82
208 205. Miniature mallard drake, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Very good and original. (500 - 800) 206.
Two miniature Canada geese, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia. Swimmer is over 7” long. Original paint with very little wear; two small cracks in regular pose carving’s head. (600 - 900)
207. Miniature canvasback drake attributed to Paul Pennington, Cecil County, Maryland, first quarter 20th century. Approximately 7” long, Original paint; minor discoloration and wear; crack through neck. (350 - 450) 208. Two miniature bluewing teal drakes, Dan Brown, Salisbury, Maryland. One is signed and dated 1976, the other is signed and dated 1985 with the inscription “Made especially for Tom Johnson.” Fine carving detail. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
209. Three miniatures, carved in the style of Ira Hudson, Lou Cargile. Each has a “C” stamped in the underside. Approximately 5” long. Very good and original. (650 - 950)
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Four miniatures, Joe Fallon, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Signed and dated 1973. Pair of American mergansers and a pair of old squaw. All have raised carved wingtips. Very good and original. (500 - 700)
210 211. Two pairs of miniatures, William Cranmer, Beach Haven, New Jersey. Pair of miniature Canada geese, William Cranmer, Beach Haven, New Jersey, signed and dated 1988. Approximately 7” long. Pair of 1/4 size mergansers, William Cranmer, Beach Haven, New Jersey, signed. Both have slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (500 - 700)
211 212. Four miniatures on wooden bases. A miniature shorebird on wooden base, 1st quarter 20th century, approximately 6” tall. Good feather paint detail. Wire legs are a little bit loose in driftwood base. A double mount of standing bluebills on a piece of driftwood and two miniatures on hardwood bases. Birds are approximately 4” long. Very good and original.
Provenance: Connally collection. (800 - 1,200)
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212A. Miniature Canada goose from Crisfield, Maryland, 2nd quarter 20th century. Approximately 7 1/2 “ long. Near mint original paint with good patina; structurally very good. (400 - 600)
212D. Rare 1/3 size Canada goose, Delbert Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Scratch feather paint detail. Original paint with moderate shrinkage; fairly large crack in back. (1,750 - 2,250)
212B. Miniature pair of eiders, Eddie Wozny, Cambridge, Maryland. A “W” is carved in the underside of each. Detailed feather carving. Very good and original. (350 - 450)
212E. Decorative bluejay on tree branch, Lloyd Sterling, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed under the tail. Approximately 8 1/2” long. Near mint original paint with good patina; minor damage to part of tree branch.
212C. Pair of 1/3 size pheasants, similar to the work of William Henry Bennett, East Hampton, Long Island, New York. Wire legs and dropped wing carving. Very good and original. (650 - 950)
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Provenance: Purchased by the consignor from Dora Sterling, Lloyd Sterling’s daughter. (1,250 - 1,750)
212F. 1/4 size pheasant, George Duffy Lawson, Crisfield, Maryland. Wire legs. Slightly turned head. Original paint with good patina; small chip missing from underside of tip of bill. (400 - 600)
Related Items 212G. Wooden carved pilothouse eagle, last quarter 19th century. Believed to have been from a steamship that had a route from Baltimore to Rock Hall, Maryland. Wingspan is approximately 29”. Metal bracing on wings seems to have been added at a later date; regilded a long time ago; small chip missing from one talon from before it was regilded; small cracks; chipping at paint in base shows that it’s had multiple layers of paint over the years. (4,000 - 7,000)
212G
212H. Two carved eagles, Henry Winter, Setauket, New York. Signed. Both approximately 14” tall. Original and good. (2,000 - 3,000)
212H
212I. Wooden carrying case with 8 carved cork doves, Jamie Reason, Long Island, New York, Size is approximately 23” x 11” x 6”. Made and painted as a remembrance for the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and World Trade Towers. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
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Factory 213. Early hollow carved mallard drake with glass eyes, possibly an early Dodge or Mason prototype. Branded “SH Ives”. Paint is a mixture of original and old overpaint; minor roughness on edge of tail; crack at neck base; two seams in neck, one has separated.
Provenance: Connally collection. (3,000 - 5,000)
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214. Coudon and Company trifold bluebill silhouettes, Annapolis, Maryland. Original and good. Provenance: Ex collection of John Delph.
(800 - 1,200)
215. Rigmate pair of widgeon, Wildfowler Decoy Factory. Unstamped. Branded “Hilke”. Very good and original. (600 - 900) 216. Two canvasback hens, Evans Decoy Factory, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Both have the Evans ink stamp on underside. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; a few small dents; in factory crack in back of one extending down the breast; minor roughness on underside of other. (350 - 550) 86
217. Pair of teal, Animal Trap Factory, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Both have slightly turned heads and factory ink stamp on underside. Original paint with minor wear. (350 - 450) 218. Pair of canvasbacks, Evans Decoy Factory, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Evans ink stamp on undersides. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; small cracks and dents; several defects in wood in underside of drake; small rough area on end of hen’s bill; small amount of touch up on hen’s breast.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Harold Hartel. Hartel collection stamp on underside. (400 - 700)
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219. Rigmate pair of mallards, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1880s. Both have glass eyes. Original paint with minor wear; small dents and shot marks; some neck filler is missing; hen has a small crack at the top of head and its inset rectangular weight is missing. (1,000 - 1,500) 220. Mallard drake, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1880s. Glass eye model. Original paint with very little wear; discoloration on underside; a few tiny dents. (1,250 - 1,750) 220A. Pair of wood ducks, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Wildfowler inkstamp on underside; signed and dated 1972 by Charles Birdsall; approximately 3/4 size;10” long. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
220B. Pair of greenwing teal, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Wildfowler inkstamp on underside, also signed and dated 1972 by Charles Birdsell. Very good and original. (400 - 600) 220C. Canada goose, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. “Point Pleasant” stamp in underside; in rare swimming pose. Orignal paint with minor wear; several tiny dents and shot marks. (400 - 600) 220D. Canada goose, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Hollow carved with “Point Pleasant” stamp in underside; highly detailed paint by William Keim; signed by him under the bill; signed and dated 1967 on underside by Charles Birdsall. Very good and original. (650 - 950)
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Canada 221.
Large bluebill hen, Orel LeBoeuf, St. Anicet, Quebec. Highly detailed feather carving at wings and tail. Subtle comb painting on back. Near mint original paint; two cracks in one lower side; small surface crack at top of head. (1,200 - 1,600)
221 222. Rigmate pair of goldeneyes, Orel LeBoeuf, St. Anicet, Quebec. Old overpaint has been taken off of the white areas, which are worn to the bare wood in some areas; the rest original paint with minor wear; small cracks in drake’s body; several smaller cracks in hen’s body; very lightly hit by shot. (1,750 - 2,250)
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223. Pair of bluebills by a member of the Paquette Family, Valleyfield, Quebec, circa 1920s. Detailed bill carving. Original paint with good patina and very minor wear; small crack partway through hen’s bill.
Provenance: Connally collection. (2,000 - 3,000)
223 223A. Two merganser drakes, Andrea Broussard, St. Bernard de Lacolle, Quebec. A preener and a swimmer. Approximately 40 years old. Original paint with minor wear on much of the decoy, preener has significant wear on the lower sides; a few small dents; swimmer has small crack in underside.
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Provenance: Connally collection. (1,300 - 1,900)
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224. Rare pair of hooded mergansers, Paul Lacombe, Trois Riviere, Quebec, circa 1970s. Slightly turned heads and detailed feather carving. Very good and original. (950 - 1,250)
Bellevue, Quebec. Detailed feather carving and slightly turned head. Comb paint on back. Old touch up on white areas and the rest has original paint with very minor wear. (800 - 1,200)
225. Pair of goldeneye, Quemedius Thibodeau, St. Anicet, Quebec. Detailed feather carving. “HT” stamped in underside. Original paint with minor wear; small cracks and dents. (800 - 1,200)
229. Pair of pintails, Paul LaCombe, Trois Riviere, Quebec. Made in 1974. Both have slightly turned heads and detailed feather carving. Very good and original. (650 - 950)
226. Pair of greenwing teal, Paul Lacombe, Trois Riviere, Quebec. Signed and dated 1974. Slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
229A. Eider drake from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, first quarter 20th century. Detailed bill carving. Head has large false inlet. Bottom edge is beveled. Tail is mortised into the underside of the body. Rigging on underside indicates the decoy was used as both a floater as well as attached to the wings of a Nova Scotia gunning tub. Very appealing old in use repaint with minor shrinkage and wear; small cracks; crack through neck and underside of tail; old repair to the underside and tip of the bill.
227. Pair of red breasted mergansers, Paul Lacombe, Trois Riviere, Quebec. Signed and dated 1974. Both have slightly turned heads. Original paint; minor discoloration on hen’s breast; moderate discoloration on white areas of drake; small cracks in drake’s body. (800 - 1,200) 228. Bluebill hen, Robert Pacquette, Sainete-Anne-de-
Literature: “Decoys of Maritime Canada,” Dale and Gary Guyette, p. 24. (500 - 800) 89
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234
236
231. Rigmate pair bluebills, Willie Leduc, Valleyfield, Quebec, circa 1940s. Original paint with minor wear; lightly hit by shot. (500 - 800) 232. Rare wood duck hen, Paul Lacombe, Trois Riviere, Quebec. Signed and dated 1974. Relief feather carving. Very good and original. (500 - 700) Black duck, Robert Paquette, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, circa 1940s. Relief wing carving. Original paint with very minor wear; a few small dents. (350 - 450)
234. Black duck, Alcide Laroux. Long curved neck and detailed feather carving. Was part of Laroux’s hunting rig. Original paint with minor wear; lightly hit by shot; hairline crack through bill.
90
235
237
230. Two bluebills, Orel LaBoeuf, St. Anicet, Quebec. Old repaint; lightly hit by shot; minor roughness to the edge of one bill. (600 - 900)
233.
232
Literature: “The River Men,” Rod Lafebvre, p. 229. “Sculpteurs d’Appelants du Quebec,” Francois St. Onge, p. 184. (350 - 450)
238
235. Canada goose from Tabasantac, New Brunswick, circa 1920s. Large ice dip behind neck. Made by a Malcite Indian guide who worked at one of the hunting clubs in that area. Done with traditional Indian burn and scrap method. Original surface on the burn and scrap area, also white under tail black and white on front second coat; numerous cracks.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(350 - 450)
236. Wood duck hen from Eastern Ontario, 2nd quarter 20th century. Slightly turned head with glass eyes and detailed feather carving. (350 - 450) 237. Hooded merganser drake, Perry King, Perth, Ontario. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; small shot marks and rough areas. (350 - 550) 238.
Hollow carved black duck, William Chrysler, Belleville, Ontario. Worn old paint; small cracks and chips. (350 - 450)
Pacific Coast & Miscellaneous Decoys
239
240
241
242
242A
243
245
244
239. Lowhead pintail drake, Jake Ferreira, Newark, California. Old repaint; minor roughness; crack through bill. (350 - 450)
242A. Brant with inlet head, California, first quarter 20th century. Appealing old in use repaint; small crack through neck; minor roughness to edges of tail. (350 - 450)
240. Pacific brant attributed to John Etlane, Eureka, California, circa 1930. Old in use repaint; bill repair. (350 - 450)
243. Two pintail drakes from the Pacific Coast, 2nd quarter 20th century. Balsa construction. Heads move and are attached through the breast area by the tie strap. Original paint with moderate wear; small dents. (400 - 600)
241. Pintail drake from California. Balsa construction. Head swivels. A few small dents in balsa; small crack in neck; lightly hit by shot; shot scar on bill. (400 - 600) 242. Pintail hen, Richard Jansen, Napa, California. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear that has darkened with age; professional neck crack repair; lightly hit by shot.
Literature: “Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Mike Miller and Fred Hanson, p. 142. (950 - 1,250)
244. Folky greenwing teal, possibly Native American, 1st quarter 20th century. Unusual chip carving in back with fluted tail. Metallic eyes. Original paint that has crazed to create a nice dry surface; wear at top of head and edge of bill. (1,500 - 2,000) 245. Folky mallard drake, possibly Native American, 1st quarter 20th century. Unusual chip carving in back with fluted tail. Metallic eyes. Original paint that has crazed and created a desirable dry surface. (1,500 - 2,000)
91
Decoratives by the Ward Brothers Crisfield, Maryland
Lem and Steve photo on stoop of there workshop discussing the merits of a Canada goose
246
92
246 Detail
246 Detail
246. Exceptional decorative Canada goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed on the underside. Highly detailed paint pattern with carved secondaries and extended primaries. Fluted tail. Head is turned approximately 40 degrees. Fine original paint with good patina; paint shrinkage on a very small section of the upper breast, also in an area on the back just behind the head; small chip on tail feather has been reglued. (15,000 - 20,000)
93
247
248 248 Detail
247 Detail
247. Widgeon drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1963; raised carved primaries and secondaries; fluted tail; fine feather paint detail with a pleasing patina. Very good and original.
94
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 89. (6,500 - 9,500)
248. Pair of canvasbacks, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1959. Also marked “KB 179”. Both have slightly turned heads, carved crossed detailed wingtip carving. Fine feather paint detail. Minor paint shrinkage on part of hen’s head, otherwise excellent and original.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Knute Bartrug, Salisbury, Maryland. (6,500 - 9,500)
249
250
249 Detail
249. Redhead drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed “for Leroy Wilbur’s collection, 1968”; slightly turned head; relief wing carving with raised extended wingtips and fluted tail. Near mint original paint; small amount of shrinkage on one lower side; structurally good. (5,000 - 7,000)
250 Detail
250. Preening mallard hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1962, deluxe grade. Lifted wing and crossed wingtips with good feather carving detail. Original paint with good patina and no wear; minor paint shrinkage on top of tail.
Provenance: From an estate in Western Pennsylvania. (6,500 - 9,500) 95
Maryland
251
253
255
252
254
256
251. Canvasback drake, John B. Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Rare high head model with iron keel, and branded “SENECA”. Old working repaint shows average wear; a couple of tight cracks in the neck; overall sound structurally. (800 - 1,200)
254. Rare redhead hen, Ben Dye, Perryville, Maryland, 3rd quarter 19th century. Inset rectangular weight with “E.L.B.” embossed on it for Edward L. Bartlett. Old repaint; shallow chip missing on underside with crack through neck. (600 - 900)
252. Canvasback drake, Lloyd Tyler, Crisfield, Maryland. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; chip missing from one side of tail; numerous cracks; repair to a small chip to one edge of bill. (800 - 1,200)
255. Canvasback drake with mid length neck, Charles Nelson, Barnhard, Havre de Grace, Maryland, circa 1900. Old in use repaint; chip missing from underside of bill with filler added to it a long time ago. (600 - 900)
253. Pair of mergansers, Alvin Meekins, Hooper’s Island, Maryland. Signed and dated 1969. Very good and original. (700 - 900)
256. Two sink box decoys from the Chesapeake Bay, last quarter 19th century. Canvasback and bluebill. Canvasback is marked “E.L. DuPont” on the underside. Canvasback is pitted and has little paint; bluebill has minor pitting and has paint remaining. (800 - 1,200)
96
257
259
261
257. Bluebill drake, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint with minor discoloration and very minor wear; short hairline crack in back. (800 - 1,200) 258. Pintail drake, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. High head style. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; crack partway through neck. (1,000 - 1,400) 259. Large pintail drake, Lloyd Sterling, Crisfield, Maryland. Approximately 20” long. Repainted; minor wear; small cracks; one eye is missing. (800 - 1,200)
258
260
262
260. Large “high neck” canvasback drake, Jim Currier, Havre de Grace, Maryland. From the Conklin rig. Original paint with moderate discoloration and wear; small crack through neck; age split in one side. (800 - 1,200) 261. Canvasback drake, James Holly, Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Appealing old in use repaint with minor wear; crack through neck. (1,200 - 1,500) 262. Wooden redhead drake wing duck, John “Daddy” Holly. “R. Madison Mitchell 1930” is inscribed in the underside. Head is slightly turned. Fine shadowing and wet on wet blending. Tail is slightly upswept. Original paint with flaking and rubs on areas of body and head which exposes bare wood. (2,000 - 3,000) 97
Contemporary Carvings
263
265
267 263. Rigmate pair of working mallards, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Both are hollow carved with raised wingtips and fluted tails. Drake’s head is in a back preening pose, hen is in a sleeping pose. Extra fine painting. Slightly oversized. Both are signed “G. Strunk”, with pad weights that are stamped “G. Strunk”. (1,500 - 2,000) 264. Rare wall plaque with pair of flying full size buffleheads, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Each is hollow carved with wings outstretched. Mounted against oval board. Feather carving and fluted tails. Both are signed “G. Strunk” on underside. One of only two wall plaques of Strunk buffleheads ever made. (2,500 - 3,000) 265. Stylish eider drake, Leo McIntosh, Weedsport, New York. Carved in the style of the James McCleery eider. Inlet head, and two piece body. McIntosh stamped in underside. Made to look old. Very good and original. (1,500 - 2,500) 98
264
266
268 266. Full size flying black duck, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Signed. Approximately 20” from bill to tail. Slightly turned head and detailed feather paint and carving. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400) 267. Pair of mallards with carved, crossed wingtips, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Strunk stamp in weight. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400) 268. Hollow carved golden plover, Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. “CTM” is carved in the underside. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
269
271
273
270
272
274
269. Three full size standing shorebirds, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. All are signed on the base; detailed feather carving. Very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750)
272. Pintail drake, Davison Hawthorne, Greenville, Delaware, circa 1970s. Signed. Layered feather carving and slightly turned head. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (800 - 1,200)
270. Pair of mergansers, carved in the Seaford, Long Island style, Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. Unsigned. Relief wing carving. Original paint that has been aged; small cracks and dents. (1,250 - 1,750)
273. Two shorebirds, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. A red knot with carved shoulders and split tail on burlwood base stamped “G. Strunk” on underside. Lesser yellowlegs with carved shoulder split tail, and mellow paint on carved base stamped “G. Strunk” on underside. Excellent and original. (800 - 1,200)
271. Pair of bluebills, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Stamped in weight and signed. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
274. Pair of pintails, Davison Hawthorne, Salisbury, Maryland, circa 1970. Hollow body with detailed feather carving. Slightly turned heads. Signed “D.B. Hawthorne” in underside. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,500)
99
New Jersey
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
275. Two black ducks, Eugene Hendrickson, Lower Bank, New Jersey. One is a standard carving, the other has a wide body style with turned head. Original paint with minor wear; a few tiny dents; small chip missing from the edge of the standard model’s bill. Provenance: Standard model from Chip Holman. (400 - 600) 276. Stick up black duck, Lloyd Johnson, Bayhead, New Jersey. Detailed wingtip and tail feather carving. Original paint with very minor wear; small dents.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(500 - 800)
277. Rare bufflehead drake, Jake Barrett, Somers Point, New Jersey, circa 1900. Old in use repaint with moderate flaking and wear; small crack through bill; body seam has separated slightly.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
(500 - 800)
278. Rare brant, Joe King, Manahawkin, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Signed and “Sinbad” brand in the back. Old in use repaint with moderate wear; crack through neck. (500 - 700) 279. Canada goose, attributed to Jess or Eugene Birdsall, 100
Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Body halves are joined by two small dowels. Old in use repaint; crack through neck; separation at body seam.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(600 - 900)
280. Black duck in rare swimming pose, Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey, circa 1900. Paint has been restored in the Shourds style; crack through neck; a few tiny dents.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
(600 - 900)
281. Three decoys. A redhead drake, a black duck, John McAnney and black duck, Ruben Corliss. McAnney decoy has the Mackey stamp. All in old in use repaint; small shot marks; crack through Corliss decoy’s neck.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
282.
Black duck, Ellis Parker, Parkertown, New Jersey. Old touchup on part of the head, the rest is original with minor wear; a few small dents. (600 - 900)
283.
Rare stick up mallard drake, Ellis Parker, Beach Haven, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century. Appealing old repaint; a few small shot marks.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(600 - 900)
(600 - 900)
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
284. Swimming brant, Lloyd Parker, Parkertown New Jersey. Old in use repaint; a few small dents. (400 - 600) 285. Black duck, attributed Henry Kilpatrick, Barnegat, New Jersey, circa 1900. Raised neck seat. Original paint with minor wear; two small cracks in neck and in back; numerous tiny dents. (800 - 1,200) 286. Hollow carved black duck, Lloyd Johnson, Beach Haven, New Jersey. Slightly turned head. Johnson brand in underside. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 287. Brant, Bill Cranmer, Beach Haven, New Jersey. Signed and dated 1969. Slightly turned head. Original paint with good detail; moderate shrinkage under tail and on the back end of the lower sides. (400 - 600) 288. Two decoys, Eugene Hendrickson, Lower Bank, New Jersey. Brant and canvasback drake. Original paint with minor shrinkage and wear; sap has bled through the paint at a knot in center of canvasback’s back, also slight separation at body seam; brant has hairline crack through neck. (400 - 600)
289. Black duck, Ellis Parker, Surf City, New Jersey, circa 1920s. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; old touch up on speculums, part of head and part of underside; structurally good. (350 - 450) 290. Greenwing teal drake, John Hillman, Seagirt, New Jersey. Cork body construction with slightly turned cedar head. Good paint detail. Near mint original paint; tiny chip at each corner of the tail; small crack in one side of breast.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(350 - 450)
291. Rigmate pair of wood ducks, Eugene Hendrickson, Lower Bank, New Jersey, circa 1960s. Both are branded “JEH”. Original and good. (350 - 450) 292. Rigmate pair of mergansers, Eugene Hendrickson, Lower Bank, New Jersey, 3rd quarter 20th century. Branded “JEH”. Original paint with minor shrinkage and wear; structurally good. (350 - 450)
101
Maryland
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
293. Cast iron wing duck from the Chesapeake Bay, circa 1900. Worn old paint; some pitting. (350 - 450) 294. Cast iron wingduck, circa 1900. Pitted; piece missing from one lower side. (350 - 450) 295. Two cast iron canvasback wing ducks, Charlie Bryan, Middle River, Maryland. Signed and dated 1989. Very good and original. (350 - 400) 296. Canvasback hen, Jim Currier, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint with minor wear; small crack in underside. (350 - 450) 297. 1/2 size swan, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Slightly turned head. Original paint; slight separation at neck seat; a few minor rubs. (400 - 600)
102
298. Mallard drake, Jim Currier, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Near mint original paint; significant discoloration as well as two small cracks in underside. (350 - 450) 299.
Bluebill drake, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland, circa 1960. Signed on underside, “Charlie Joiner Chestertown, Maryland”. Strong stipple painting on back; very good and original. (400 - 600)
300. Ruddy duck from Bellevue, Maryland in Talbot County. Two piece body construction. Serifed “J” carved in underside. Made by Velenti. Old paint with minor flaking and wear; a few small dents. (350 - 450) 301. Preening bluebill hen, from the Havre de Grace, Maryland area. Old tag on underside reads “Captain Billy’s rig.” Original paint with minor wear; small cracks. (350 - 450)
302. Egret by unknown maker. Appears to show some age and weathering. Paint is a mix of multilayers of white. Glass eyes. Approximately 17” long. (300 - 500) 303. Well constructed copper minnow bucket, last quarter 19th century. Perforated top with fancy lock system. The name “Tom Bell” is welded in to the front of the bucket. Found in Michigan. Shows good age. (300 - 500) 303A. Swimming old squaw drake from Long Island, New York. Paint was restored quite a while ago; small crack in back of head. (300 - 400) 304. Two live pigeon releases or traps. For shooting wild pigeons. One is painted red, old and a second old oxidized wood. Other natural coloring. Both in working condition. (300 - 500) 305. Lot of two very early keepsake books from the 2nd half 19th century. One book contains a Spenserian ink drawing by A.E. Crowell. Crowell also has signed the book on two other pages.
Provenance: Found in a home in East Harwich, Massachusetts. (300 - 500)
306. Contemporary “Decoys For Sale” sign with two half decoys mounted on it. Approximately 4’ long. Original and good. (300 - 500) 307. Goldeneye drake, Cyril Heath, Alexandria Bay, New York, circa 1920. Old repaint; surface crack in one side of neck and head. (300 - 500) 308. Canada goose, Jesse Birdsall, Barnegat, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century. Old in use repaint; small cracks and dents.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(300 - 500)
309. Merganser hen, attributed to Chris Sprague, Beach Haven, New Jersey. Appealing old in use repaint; bill has been broken off and reattached; small dents.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(300 - 400)
310. Bluebill hen, Back Bay, Virginia, circa 1900. Old in use paint; hit by shot; thin chip missing from underside of bill. (300 - 400) 311. Swimming goldeneye hen from Chincoteague, Virginia. Fluted inlet head and fluted tail. Original paint with minor wear; small dents. (300 - 400) 312. Wood carving of hunter in circa 1920s attire standing against a fence holding a rabbit, 2nd half 20th century. Shotgun leaning against the fence and stands 8” tall. Natural wood surface; structurally good. (300 - 400) 313.
Bufflehead hen from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Old in use repaint; structurally good. (300 - 400)
314. Three shorebirds, Anthony Hillman. Branded and signed. Very good and original. (300 - 400) 315. Hollow canvasback drake, John Garton, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Signed and dated 1985. Good comb painting on grey area of back. Very good and original. (300 - 500) 316. Pair of 1/4 size canvasbacks, Leonard Lipham, Jr. Signed and dated 1998. Very good and original. (200 - 300) 317. Balsa body Canada goose, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Old Saybrook stamp in underside. Worn area in balsa; small cracks in head. (200 - 300) 318. Cork body black duck from Long Island, New York. Body halves are attached with small square wooden pegs. Original paint with moderate wear on body; head appears to have old touchup; small chip missing from one side of tail.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(250 - 350)
319. Bluebill hen, Paul Lacombe, Trois Riviere, Quebec. Signed and dated 1974. Very good and original. (250 - 350) 320. Pair of long neck style pintails, Jess Urie, Rock Hall, Maryland. Original paint with moderate wear; crack in hen’s neck; small cracks in hens breast. (250 - 350) 321. Mallard drake, T.N. Lockart, Hammonton, New Jersey. Name stamped in weight. Appealing old in use repaint; small cracks. Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(200 - 250)
322. Approximately 25 decoy books including “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” “American Bird Decoys,” Mackey, etc. Good. (400 - 600) 323. Vintage bird cage music box with chirping bird. Probably German. Approximately 12” high. Brass construction with a few dents. (150 - 250) 324. Pair of 1/4 size pintails, Barry Fuchs, Millington, Maryland. Signed. Raised wing tips slightly turned heads. (125 - 175) 325. Three shorebirds, David Rhodes. Signed. Original paint that has been aged. (100 - 150) 326.
Decoy, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade with snakey head style. Refinished a long time ago; crack in underside. (100 - 150)
End of Session One 103
Session Two
Thursday November 13, 2014 – 11:00 AM
Decoratives Ward Brothers
Crisfield, Maryland
327
328
327. Mallard hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1952, Premier grade. Balsa body with slightly turned head and raised inserted cedar wingtips. Fine paint detail; very good and original.
Provenance: From an estate in Western Pennsylvania. (5,000 - 7,000)
104
328. Greenwing teal drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1961; slightly turned cedar head and balsa body; carved crossed wingtips and fluted tail. Near mint original paint; structurally very good. (5,000 - 7,000)
329
329 Detail
329 Detail
329. Preening greenwing teal hen with lifted wing, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1961; fine feather paint detail and feather carving. Detailed feather carving and fluted tail. Very good and original. (8,000 - 12,000)
105
330. Rare decorative feeding yellowlegs, Lem Ward, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed, identified and dated 1962 on driftwood base. Turned head and extended, carved wing tips. Fine feather paint detail. Excellent and original.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 123. (4,000 - 6,000)
330 331. Sleeping canvasback hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Identified, signed and dated 1952 under the tail. Balsa body with relief wing carving, inserted cedar tail and cedar head. Good paint detail. Original paint with minor wear and denting to part of the balsa body; minor wear to top of head. (4,000 - 6,000)
331 332. Sleeping mallard drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1952. Identified and signed under the tail; balsa body with inserted cedar tail and cedar head; relief wing carving. Numerous small dents in paint; flakes missing in body; small amount of old touchup under the tail. (4,000 - 6,000)
332 106
333
334
333. Full size flying canvasback drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1961. Feather carving on wings and fluted tail. Near mint original paint; structurally very good. (7,000 - 9,000)
334. Greenwing teal hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield Maryland. Cedar construction. Signed and dated 1963. Raised carved primaries and secondaries. Fluted tail and slightly turned head. Excellent and original. (6,500 - 9,500)
107
Cigar Daisey
Chincoteague, Virginia
335
335 Detail
335 Detail
335. Exceptional hollow carved black duck, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Inscribed on underside, “First place winner US national decoy contest 1972”. Highly detailed and layered feather carving with slightly raised primaries and secondaries. Extremely fine paint detail and slightly turned head.
108
Provenance: Purchased by the consignor’s father from Daisey in the 1970s.
(6,500 - 9,500)
336
337
336. Pair of full size flying wood ducks, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both have outstretched feet and carved crest. Eyes on both are signed “FF” for Frank Finney. Excellent and original; lower half of foot on drake was broken off and professionally replaced by Russ Allen. (1,000 - 2,000) 337. Hollow carved decorative brant, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded, signed and dated 1974. Slightly turned and lifted head with feather carving
338
detail, relief wing carving. Original paint with very minor discoloration on the white area; no wear; very small area on one lower side where some sap has come through the paint in a knot. (1,500 - 2,000) 338. Decorative brant, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Slightly turned head. Detailed feather carving at wingtips and fluted tail. Very good and original. (1,500 - 2,000)
109
339
340
341
342
343
344
339. 1/3 size blue goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1962. Balsa body with turned cedar head and inserted cedar tail. Body is approximately 9” long. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400) 340. 1/3 size cedar snow goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1962. Total length approximately 10 1/2”. Slightly turned head. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,600) 341. Rare decorative marbled godwit, William Gibian, Onancock, Virginia. Signed and dated 1996. Wooden carved rock and shell base and finely detailed feather carving. Small amount of flaking on one metal leg. (1,000 - 1,500)
110
342. Full size canvasback hen, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Mounted on its original wooden base. Excellent and original.
Literature: Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 112. (1,750 - 2,250)
343. Pair of 1/3 size mallards, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Cedar construction with turned heads. Signed and dated 1962. Very good and original.
Provenance: From an estate in Western Pennsylvania. (1,200 - 1,500)
344. 1/2 size mallard drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Cedar with raised wing tips and turned head. Small amount of paint shrinkage on breast, otherwise very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
344A
344A Detail 344A. Full size standing black duck, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1920s. Slightly turned head and fluted tail. Detailed feather carving on wings. Original paint with minor wear; one wing came loose at one time and was reattached to body with filler added and touch up in that area; other areas of touch up, mostly on areas of underside of bird; legs and base are a professional replacement.
Literature: “Ira D. Hudson and Family,� Henry Stansbury, p. 146.
(7,000 - 9,000)
111
345. Full size flying mallard wall mount Norman or Delbert Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Slightly turned head with good bill delineation. Detailed feather carving on wings and fluted tail. Original paint with good patina and very minor wear; tiny chip missing from one wingtip; minor flaking where wings and neck join body.
Literature: “Ira D Hudson and Family,” Henry Stansbury, p. 148. (5,000 - 8,000)
345
346. Large flying black duck, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Wing span is approximately 28”. Feather carving detail. Painted under the tail “Made for T. O’Connor Feb. 3 1988, Grayson Chesser. My first flying black.” Good. (1,250 - 1,750)
346 112
Contemporary
346A
346B
346C
346D
346E
346F
346A. Swimming merganser hen carved in the style of the merganser sold in the Julia/Guyette September 1986 decoy auction. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original surface that has been aged; two small drips of light gray paint on neck; decoy is believed to have been made by Leo McIntosh for Bob Gerard. (1,000 - 1,400) 346B. Shorebird carved in the style of Walter Brady, Oyster, Virginia. Believed to have been made by Cameron McIntyre. Original paint; moderate wear; a few small dents and cracks. (600 - 900) 346C. Pair of black ducks, carved in the Delaware River tradition, Jode Hillman, Mulaga Hill, New Jersey. Signed and dated 2008. Hillman stamp in the weight. Very good and original. (500 - 800)
346G 346D. Stylish merganser drake, Russ Allen, Galloway, New Jersey. Carved in the style of Oscar Bibber. Turned and raised head with horse hair crest. Delicate bill carving and fine painting on back and breast. (500 - 800) 346E. Oversized mallard drake, carved in the Delaware River tradition, John Holloway, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Several tiny paint scrapes, otherwise very good and original. (350 - 450) 346F. Well made reproduction of a feeding yellowlegs. Branded “OJ�. Original paint that has been aged; very small hole in back. (200 - 300) 346G. Pair of buffleheads carved in the style of Lee von Brunt, Long Island, New York. Approximately 40 years old. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (400 - 600) 113
New England
347
347 Detail
347 Detail
347. Exceptional and very rare American merganser drake, believed to be from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Tack eyes and finely detailed loop feather paint. Original paint with good patina; some shrinkage on one side and under the bill; marks on part of the underside from burlap; reglued crack in bill; professional restoration to a very small chip in the center of the tail and at the front of the neck base by Russ Allen.
114
Provenance: Found in a summer home near Lincolnville Beach, Maine.
(6,500 - 9,500)
Sam Collins
1854 - 1948 Essex, Connecticut
Sam Collins Sr. is credited with developing Connecticut River style decoy. Bodies tend to be shallow and almond shape, eyes are commonly painted and bodies are rounded nearly equally on top and bottom. The debate and confusion between decoys made
by the father Sam Sr., born around 1830 and Sam Jr. born in 1854 will never be settled. Some believe the father created patterns that the son continued to use. As was typical of decoy makers of the time, both men were boat builders who made a living off the sea. The Collins men were known for producing black duck, bluebill, goldeneye, bufflehead and merganser decoys. Old squaw are not listed as a species made by the family and to our knowledge no other examples have ever been offered for sale.
348 Detail
348
348. Rare and possibly one of a kind old squaw drake, Sam Collins, Sr., Essex, Connecticut, last quarter 19th century. Slightly raised neck seat with bold neck carving. Thin extended tail with finely painted eyes and original weight. Dry original paint; tight hairline crack in back; a few small paint rubs; professional bill repair.
Provenance: Private collection for over 40 years and being auctioned for the first time.
Literature: “Connecticut Decoys,” Henry Chitwood, p. 143.
(12,500 - 17,500) 115
349
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351
352
354
353 349. Bluebill hen, Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. Cork body with Mackey collection stamp on wooden keel. Cork body was never painted, other than white speculum patch. Minor wear on head. (1,250 - 1,750) 350. Scoter, Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. Cork body with wooden head. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents in cork. Provenance: Connally collection.
(1,500 - 2,000)
351. Canada goose, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, circa 1920. Stretched canvas over slat wood frame. Fine feather painting on sides of breast. Approximately 30” in length. Tack eyes. Mostly original paint with very old strengthening to white cheek patches and underside of tail; white on breast has oxidized and turned slightly yellow; two small holes in canvas; with crazing over black body paint; structurally good. (1,800 - 2,200) 116
352. Oversize cork body black duck in preening pose, possibly by Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. Paint has been restored in Wheeler’s style; small crack at neck base.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(1,200 - 1,600)
353. Bluebill drake, Ben Holmes, Stratford, Connecticut, circa 1900. Hollow carved. Old in use repaint with some original showing, mostly on bill and back; small cracks; small rough spot on one edge of head.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(1,000 - 1,500)
354. Hollow carved black duck, Charles Hart, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Detailed feather carving. Original paint with minor wear; neck seat has risen slightly; bottom board is a professional replacement. (900 - 1,200)
Albert Laing 1811 - 1886
Stratford, Connecticut & New York, New York
355
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355 Detail
355. Preening bluebill drake, Albert Laing, New York, New York and Stratford, Connecticut, mid 19th century. Some working overpaint was removed by Ken DeLong; several small shot marks; crack in one lower side.
Literature: “Decoy Magazine,” July/August 1995, article by Ron Swanson, pg. 8. “Connecticut Decoys,” Henry Chitwood, p. 32. (14,000 - 18,000)
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Decoratives
356
357
356. Well carved flying mallard drake, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine, circa 1925. Carved in a landing pose with wings outstretched and feet up front. Original paint on most of body; repaint on lower third of each wing, as well as area covering five nail holes where wing secures to body; a crack and separation at base of wing; slight separation between neck and body. (4,000 - 6,000)
357 Detail 118
357. Excellent and well carved flying mallard hen, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine, circa 1920. Wings are outstretched to emulate that the bird is turning in the air with tail and head carved at slight angles. Excellent dry surface with fine feather detail. Strong original paint; a chip missing near one foot; small areas of jesso missing around wing seats. (5,000 - 7,000)
358
359
358. Rare flying goldeneye drake, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine, circa 1920. Slightly smaller than full size with both wings stretched out and head turned slightly to the left. Tail is also carved as if bird is turning. Original paint on wings, black areas of head and tail; white on body is a very old second coat; appears to be a repair around the neck; one foot is missing; tail has slight age crack separation and a chip. (4,000 - 6,000)
359. Well carved flying mallard drake, Gus Wilson, South Portland Maine, circa 1925. Bold carving with both wings outstretched evenly. Excellent original paint; structurally sound; jesso has been replaced under one wing; dry surface with small areas of pitch bleeding through on top of back. (5,000 - 7,000)
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366
360. Swimming coot with open mouth, Eddie Wozny, Cambridge, Maryland. Signed and dated 1989. Inscribed “My first coot”. Detailed feather carving with lifted wingtips. Very good and original. (350 - 450) 361. Black duck trinket box, attributed to the McKenzie Brothers, Henry, Illinois, circa 1880s. Approximately 8” long. Detailed wing carving on back. Original paint with very little wear and minor alligatoring. (350 - 450) 362. Full size standing widgeon drake, Maryland, last quarter 20th century. Slightly turned head and relief wingtip carving. Very good and original. (350 - 550) 363. Pair of 1/2 size bluewing teal, Oliver Lawson, Crisfield, Maryland. Balsa bodies with slightly turned cedar heads and inserted cedar tails. Original and good. (400 - 600)
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367
364. Pair of 1/3 size flying bluewing teal on hardwood base, Joe Fallon, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Wing spans are approximately 6”. Very good and original. (500 - 700) 365. Preening mallard hen, A.J. Keifer. Signed and dated 1983. On original wooden base. Modeled after the preening Ward Brothers mallard hen in this sale. Very good and original.
Provenance: From an estate in Western Pennsylvania. (650 - 950)
366. Pair of bluewing teal, Charles Buchanan, North Augusta, Ontario, circa 1980. Both have detailed feather carving and are signed. Small dent in one wingtip, otherwise very good and original. (550 - 850) 367. Pair of 1/3 size flying mallards, Judson Budd, Chincoteague, Virginia. Original and good. (500 - 700)
368. Pair of 2/3 size mallards, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Approximately 11 1/2” long. Both have slightly turned heads and relief carved wingtips; drake has curved tail sprig. Near mint original paint; excellent and original.
Literature: “Perdew,” Anne Tandy Lacey, p. 219. (3,000 - 4,000)
368 369. Pair of 1/2 size mallards, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Approximately 9” long. Both have relief carved wingtips and turned heads. Drake has tail sprig. Near mint original paint protected by their original coat of varnish; small paint flake missing from end of hen’s tail and tip of drake’s tail sprig. (2,500 - 3,500)
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370
370. Set of eight 1/4 size decoys, George Thompson, Cazenovia, New York. Signed and dated 1976. Carved from drawings in Milton Weiler’s “Classic Decoy Series”. Very good and original.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(2,000 - 3,000)
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Nathan Cobb, Jr.
1825 - 1905 Cobb’s Island, Virginia The abundance and variety of waterfowl on and near Cobb island
371 Detail
provided for the highly successful market and sport hunting. The decoys were of rugged construction consistent with the severe conditions that often plagued Cobb’s Island over the years. Nathan Jr. produced ducks, geese and shorebirds in a multitude of poses which created a sense of movement and realism to the rig. Curved and twisted necks with cantered heads, notched tails, and inlet heads are but a few of the characteristics which set Cobb decoys apart from other Virginia makers and established the tremendous folk art appeal that attracts collectors today. This exact decoy was acquired from Bill Mackey in 1967 by the consigner. As was common then, the deal was a trade, not a cash purchase. It took a total of twenty-one H.V. Shourds shorebirds including, curlews, red knots and a ruddy turnstone. At the time, Mackey owned a small rig of Cobb geese, three of which can be seen on page 37 of American Decoys, Quintina Colio.
371
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371 Detail
371 Detail
371. Rare Canada goose, Nathan Cobb, Jr., Cobb Island, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Hollow body with raised “V” wingtip carving. Serifed “N” in underside. Branded “WHP Jr.” twice on underside. Inletted head with exaggerated full crop neck style. Tack eyes. Head is in a feeding pose. Paint is old but not original; crack and split at neck; slight separation between body halves; small sliver missing from one side of bill. (40,000 - 60,000)
371 Detail
123
372. Rare hollow carved black duck, Arthur Cobb, Cobb Island, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Classic split tail with carved eyes. Starr collection stamp on underside and slightly carved shoulders behind neck with inletted neck. Very old paint; bill appears to have been broken and reattached at face. (4,000 - 6,000)
372 373. Black duck, Dave “Umbrella” Watson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Classic brow carving with tail cuts. Hollowed from center. Paint appears to be original with some darkening to worn areas; protected by an old coat of wax; several dents on sides of body. (4,000 - 6,000)
373 374. Very rare pintail drake, Charles Birch, Willis Wharf, Virginia. Original paint worn to the primer in many places; old bill chip repair; one of only nine Birch pintails known in original paint.
374
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Dr. Lloyd Newberry.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. p. 212. (3,000 - 4,000)
375. Hollow carved canvasback drake, Dave “Umbrella” Watson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1900. Body halves are joined with small dowels. Mixture of restored paint with some original; small cracks in back. (1,750 - 2,250)
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376 Detail
377 Detail
376. Hollow carved Canada goose, Charles Birch, Willis Wharf, Virginia. Particularly fine head form. Tack eyes, bill is doweled through to back of head. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; two tiny chips on tail; lightly hit by shot.
377. Canada goose, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1920s. Rare “boat body” model. Original paint with minor flaking and wear; a few small cracks and shot marks; nail protruding 1/8” out of the back; age split in underside.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 136. (7,500 - 10,000)
Literature: “Ira Hudson and Family,” Henry Stansbury, p. 94. (6,000 - 9,000)
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Nathan Cobb, Jr.
1825 - 1905 Cobb’s Island, Virginia
“Clara Combs of Cobb Island” with a sneak boat overloaded with Cobb decoys. “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, JR
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126
378 Detail
378. Hollow carved brant, Nathan Cobb, Jr., Cobb Island, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Inlet head in slightly forward swimming pose. Shoe button eyes and raised “V” wingtip carving. Large serifed “N” is carved under the tail. Bill is doweled through to the back of the head and splined. Old in use repaint; small cracks and dents; bill is a professional replacement.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 174.
(20,000 - 30,000)
378 Detail
378 Detail
127
Midwest
379
379. Mallard hen, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, circa 1880s. Weight has been removed. Fine feather painting by Catherine Elliston. Good original paint; with a few small nicks and rubs to bare wood at top of head; shot marks; small portion of end of bill is missing and has been rounded off, slightly shorter than original; crack through neck. (2,250 - 2,750)
380. Mallard drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, circa 1880s. Retains Elliston weight. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; a few small dents. (3,000 - 4,000)
380 381. Pintail drake, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. Retains Graves weight. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; a few tiny dents.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid, p. 166. (2,500 - 3,500)
381
382. Canada goose, Otto Garren, Canton, Illinois. Near mint original paint with good patina; filled “in the making” crack in back with a few small pieces of filler missing, also in lower breast; slight separation at body seam.
382 128
Literature: “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forest Loomis, p. 389. (2,000 - 3,000)
Augustus Moak 1852 - 1942 Tustin, Wisconsin
383
383A
383. Canvasback drake, Augustus Moak, Tustin, Wisconsin. Original paint; very slight wear; a few tiny dents.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,� Alan Haid, p. 38. (3,500 - 4,500)
383A. Canvasback hen with wide body style, Augustus Moak, Tustin, Wisconsin. Original paint; minor wear; parts of the decoy were varnished a long time ago; old overpaint has been taken off of the underside. (3,000 - 4,000)
383 Detail
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384. Pintail drake, Robert and Thomas McKenzie, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; small dents; white paint appears to have been redone a very long time ago. (1,000 - 1,500) 385. Pintail drake, George Barto, Putnam, Illinois. Original paint on most of the back; the rest has old repaint; structurally good. (400 - 600) 386. Rigmate pair of redheads, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1940s. Both in strong original paint; a few light rubs on wing primaries of drake; very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 130
385
387
389
387. Pair of canvasbacks, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with minor wear; hen has a professional bill repair; small cracks. (650 - 950) 388. Black duck, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1940s. Slightly turned head and excellent feather stamping and tail carving. Strong original paint; appears to have been rubbed with a light gray wash to mellow the paint surface. (500 - 800) 389.
Canvasback hen, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Near mint original paint; never used. (400 - 600)
390. Rigmate pair of buffleheads, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Minor discoloration; no wear; never used. (2,500 - 3,500)
390
391. Widgeon hen, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1940s. Bottom board attached, but does not appear to be hollow. Strong original paint; excellent. (2,000 - 2,500)
391
392. Widgeon drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1940s. Shoulder and wing carving with feather stamping on back. Original paint that has mellowed to a dry surface. (2,000 - 2,500)
392
393. Rigmate pair of mallards, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1930s. Hen has slightly turned head and excellent feather stamping. Drake has feather stamping on back with somewhat of a high head. Both in strong original paint with good wet on wet blending on drake; structurally very good; hen appears to have a light gray wash put on to mellow the surface. (1,500 - 2,000)
393
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Fish
394
394. Two ice spearing decoys. A sturgeon by Stanley Kaitener, Pataske, Michigan, circa 1970, measuring 19”. Front and back fins are secured with wire, tack eye. Pike by Mr. Kingsley, Burtlake, Michigan, circa 1970. Carved and painted but never weighted. 23” in length. Both are in strong original paint; some wear to metal edges on sturgeon. (400 - 600)
395.
Pike, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1920. Strong original paint that has not been varnished. Tack eyes. Some paint missing from eyes as well as line tie; otherwise very good and original. (1,500 - 2,000)
395
396. Large natural sided pike, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1920. 10” long x 1 3/4” tall. Original paint protected by an old coat of varnish that has darkened slightly; very good and original. (1,500 - 2,500)
396
397. Perch decoy, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1920. 9” long. Original paint never varnished; a few tiny chips missing from tail and tip of nose; a few small areas where paint has worn off. (1,500 - 2,000)
397
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398. Rare Hardy Brothers brown trout with ivory Hardy tag. “T.F.S. Church. Brown Trout 3 lbs. Sind River, Kashmir. 3-5-34.” painted on the front. Fish measures 18” with plaque measuring 21.5”. Mounted on stained oak board. Fish has been restored with in-painting and a coat of varnish to stabilize flaking; professionally done by Steve Smith. (1,250 - 1,750)
398
399. Relief carved plaque of a sockeye salmon swimming in a river. Plaque measures 24” x 12”. Fish is approximately 11”. Written on the back “By William R. Robinson, Burlington Conn., Freak salmon, 1st quarter 20th century.” Original paint protected by an old coat of varnish that has heavily crazed; a few dents and rubs on plaque and a small amount of paint missing from fish’s eye. (1,500 - 2,000)
399
400. Carved wooden mackerel plaque. Signed Frank Finney in pencil. Approximately 21 1/2” long. Very good and original. 400
398 Detail
Provenance: Purchased by the consignor in February 1988 from Charles Schumann of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. (650 - 950)
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401.
Carved wooden Atlantic Salmon, Frank Finney, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Carved quite a while ago. Approximately 47” long with good carving detail. Original paint that has darkened somewhat with age; slight wear on the edge of one fin; minor paint shrinkage on top of head and one edge of mouth. (2,500 - 3,500)
403
403A
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402. Carved wooden salmon plaque. Approximately 37” long. Appears to be 30 or 40 years old. Good carving detail. Pectoral fin is loose; several small rubs, otherwise very good and original.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(2,000 - 2,500)
403. Large wooden carved flounder. Approximately 25” long. Carved by Frank Finney’s father H.D. Finney. Signed with inscription “ship shoal”. Painted by Frank Finney. Made to hang on wall, but detailed carving on both sides. Slight paint shrinkage on head, otherwise very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750)
403A. Carved wooden fish plaque of an Atlantic Salmon. Plaque is approximately 28” long; inscribed “River PUERA, Iceland. 3rd Aug. 1928. 4 lbs. 4 ozs. Sybil Harker.” Original paint with minor flaking; mostly on underside; some touch up on pelvic fin where a crack was reglued. (1,250 - 1,750)
Dhure and John Tully Fochakers, Scotland
404
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404 Detail
404. Wooden carved Atlantic salmon plaque, Dhure and John Tully, Fochakers, Scotland, Rowland Ward Studios 167 Piccadilly, London. Approximately 52” long. Inscription in the lower right hand corner reads “Rowland Ward Studios 167 Piccadilly, London.” In front of fish reads “37lb salmon Elizabeth Pulitzer Restigouche River, Quebec. June 22, 1928.” All original; minor paint shrinkage on underside of carving and thicker paint on dorsal fin; small scrape on side of tail; reglued crack on bottom fin.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(10,000 - 15,000)
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Oscar Peterson 1887 - 1951 Cadillac, Michigan
405
405. Carved wooden plaque of a peafowl, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan. Approximately 9 1/2” x 17 1/2” with original tin reinforcement straps tacked to back. Near mint original paint with good patina; hairline crack through parts of the center of the plaque.
405 Detail
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Literature: “Michigan’s Master Carver,” Ronald Fritz, p. 73 (6,500 - 9,500)
“The perch plaque was one of five Oscar Peterson plaques owned by the late Gloria McPherson. Mrs. McPherson had inherited the plaques from her grandmother, Flora Mae Norlock of Cadillac, Michigan. Flora and her husband Simon Norlock were one time owners of downtown Cadillac’s Busy Bee Bar. The Norlocks had a cottage on nearby Lake Mitchell which is where the plaques had resided for many years until they were inherited by Gloria McPherson. The Busy Bee was back in the day one of Oscar’s favorite hangouts. It was a place that was decorated with hunting & fishing memorabilia including plaques and other works by Oscar Peterson that in addition to being decor were also offered for sale. Oscar often traded his carvings for food & drink. It’s reported that he once traded a 5 foot in-the-round Trout for a month of free meals at another local eating establishment. It’s not known if the Norlock plaques were Busy Bee Bar decor that found their way into the Norlock’s cottage after they sold the bar or if they had been specifically ordered from Peterson by the Norlocks for the cottage. It’s also possible that they were gifts from Oscar as he was known to repay social debts with gifts of art.” - Gary L. Miller.
406 406 Detail
406 Detail 406. Rare and important carved plaque, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Depicting an oversize perch. To date this is the only Peterson perch plaque that is known. It came from a group of plaques that hung in a bar in Cadillac named the Busy Bee which Peterson often frequented. Purchased by the consignor in the late 1970s. Measures 22” x 7 1/2”, on a 1” board. Carved eye with delightful multicolored background. Original paint that has crazed on the black bars of the fish; all protected by an old coat of varnish. (15,000 - 20,000)
137
Shorebirds John Dilley
Quogue, Long Island, New York
407
407. Rare robin snipe, John Dilley, Quogue, Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. “Dilley” is written in old script under the tail. Extra fine feather paint detail. Original paint with very minor wear; very lightly hit by shot on one side.
407 Detail
138
Literature: “Shorebirds Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 49. (15,000 - 20,000)
Dave “Umbrella” Watson 1851 - 1938 Chincoteague, Virginia
408
408. Very rare sandpiper, Dave Watson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1900. Raised “V” wingtip carving. Original paint with minor wear; hit by shot on one side.
Literature: “Southern Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 85.
Decoys,” Henry (17,500 - 22,500)
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139
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409. Golden plover, Eugene Cuffee, East Hampton, Long Island, New York. Carved eyes and extended wingtips. Minor wear on bill, otherwise very good and original. Provenance: Connally collection.
(800 - 1,200)
410. Golden plover, Eugene Cuffee, East Hampton, Long Island, New York. Shoe button eyes and extended wingtips. Original paint that has darkened with age; structurally good; very minor wear. (800 - 1,200) 411. Running yellowlegs from Massachusetts. Incised wing carving and spliced tail. Original paint with minor wear; old touchup to toe; tiny chips at wingtips. (600 - 900) 412. Willet, Eugene Cuffee, East Hampton, Long Island, New York, 1st quarter 20th century. Shoe button eyes. His more refined style which shows some John Dilley influence. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; structurally good. (800 - 1,200) 413. Plover, Eugene Cuffee, East Hampton, Long Island, New York. Carved eyes and extended wingtips. Very good and original. 140
Provenance: Connally collection.
(800 - 1,200)
414. Root head greater yellowlegs, from Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint protected by an old coat of varnish; old repair to split in top of head; small chips and cracks at neck base; a few small dents in body. Provenance: Megargee collection.
(650 - 950)
415. Black bellied plover from Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; old overpaint on breast, most of which has worn away; small rough spot on one wing; filled “in the making” crack in one side. (650 - 950) 416. Feeding sandpiper from Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Old paint with moderate wear; lightly hit by shot; bill is a replacement. (600 - 900) 417. Curlew, William Henry Bennett. Carved eyes and extended wingtips. Small crack in bill and one shot mark in one side of head, otherwise very good and original.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(600 - 900)
418
419
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421
422
423
418. Robin snipe, Cobb Island, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Paint has been worn off; bill is a professional replacement; minor roughness to body.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(1,250 - 1,750)
419. Greater yellowlegs by a member of the Verity Family, Seaford, Long Island, New York. Approximately 13” long. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; structurally good. (1,400 - 1,800) 420. Running sandpiper, Obediah Verity, Seaford, Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with significant to moderate wear; dark area on one wing; lightly hit by shot. (1,250 - 1,750)
421. Pair of yellowlegs, Pied Jones, Crisfield, Maryland. Applied heads. Original and good. (1,500 - 2,500) 422. Rare ringneck plover, Eugene Cuffee, East Hampton, Long Island, New York. Carved eyes and extended wingtips. Very good and original.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(1,500 - 2,000)
423. Yellowlegs, William Southard, Seaford, Long Island, New York. Carved eyes and relief wing carving. Mixture of original paint with minor repaint; hit by shot; bill is an old replacement. (1,500 - 2,000)
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424 Detail
424. Rare dowitcher from the Rogers Rig, Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Rogers brand in underside. Original paint with minor wear; tiny chip missing above where bill joins face. (7,000 - 9,000)
142
425 Detail
425. Rare yellowlegs, attributed to Valentine Watts, Lawrence, New York, last quarter 19th century. Shoe button eyes, relief wing carving with extended, touching wingtips. Watts was a hunting companion of William Bowman and copied his style. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; three small shot scars on underside. (7,500 - 10,000)
426
426 Detail
426 Detail
426. Rare running yellowlegs, William Southard, Seaford, Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with minor wear; bill is a professional replacement; small carved area right under the bill; several tiny shot marks. (12,500 - 15,500)
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Obediah Verity
1813 - 1901 Seaford, Long Island, New York
Obediah was born in Seaford, Long Island in 1813. He worked as a bayman all his life and he also carved a small amount of decoys for his own use as well as for friends and family. In the exhibition book for the Ward Museum, “The Decoys of Long Island”, they are described as, “often pudgy with a well-fed appearance and are characterized by carefully detailed heads. These decoys are often said to be done in an impressionistic style. Obediah Verity is probably solely responsible for the establishment of the “Seaford School” of carving style. This curlew was found in a home in Rhode Island along with a rig of shorebirds made by Thomas Gelston. It is one of the “plumpest” curlews we have seen by this maker.
427 Detail 144
427 Detail
427. Very rare and important curlew, Obediah Verity, Seaford, Long Island, New York 3rd quarter 19th century. Approximately 16” long. Wide “beetle” head style. Carved eyes and relief wing carving. Original paint with good patina and very minor wear; small crack in underside and side; bill is a professional replacement.
427
Literature: “Shorebird Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 120. (36,000 - 40,000)
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New England
428
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433
428. Large black duck from Hampton, New Hampshire, 2nd quarter 20th century. Branded “HP Brown”. Body halves are attached with small dowels, slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (900 - 1,200) 429. Two hollow carved bluebill drakes, William Lattin, Stratford, Connecticut. Original paint with moderate wear; small dents. Provenance: Connally collection.
(800 - 1,200)
430. Cork bodied bluebill hen, Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. Cedar head and keel. Original paint; minor wear; structurally good. (950 - 1,250)
146
431. Monhegan Island style scoter, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Inlet head that is turned 90 degrees. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Old repaint; small chips missing from tail; small dents and cracks.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(950 - 1,250)
432. Rare rocking head merganser drake, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Open bill. Old in use repaint; crest is a replacement; small dents; small defect in wood under tail.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(1,500 - 2,500)
433. Well sculpted eider drake from the upper Maine coast, first quarter 20th century. Serifed initials “RRA” carved in the underside. Paint has been restored; crack in head; hit by shot; small tail chip. (1,500 - 2,500)
434. Surf scoter and white wing scoter from the upper Maine coast, last quarter 19th century. Inlet heads attached to bodies with four oak dowells. Carved bills, relief wing carving with carved crossed wingtips and fluted tails. Defect in wood in underside of hen; tag on underside indicates that both were in Mackey’s display at IBM headquarters in Manhattan and also at the St. Paul Art Exhibit. Provenance: Drake has Mackey collection stamp on underside.
434
Literature: American Bird Decoys, William Mackey, p. 93. (4,000 - 6,000) 435. Merganser hen, George Huey, Friendship, Maine. Inlet head with carved wooden crest. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; professional repair to approximately 1/3 of the bill; crack through neck; shot scar on top of tail.
Provenance: Connally collection.
435
Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph, p. 38. (4,000 - 6,000)
436. Merganser drake, George Huey, Friendship, Maine. Inlet head. Original paint with moderate wear; crack through neck.
Provenance: Connally collection. (3,500 - 5,500)
436
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147
Gus Wilson
1864 - 1950 South Portland, Maine
Gus Wilson has long been considered the premier carver from the state of Maine. His output likely far exceeded that of any of the other top Maine makers. However, Wilson’s status as the top Maine maker is based primarily in his creativity and the tremendous variety of carvings that he produced.
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437 Detail
437. Exceptional mallard drake with lifted wings, Gus Wilson, South Portland Maine, circa 1920. Swimming pose with applied wings and inlet neck. Fine feather painting on sides and back. Wilson working mallards are exceedingly rare as they were rarely hunted in Maine. This double raised wing Wilson drake mallard is believed to be a singular decoy and the only one known at the present time. Excellent original paint; very small chip at end of one wing; small chip in tail; two small rough areas at tail, otherwise structurally very good.
Literature: “Gus Wilson Folk Artist,” Gene Kangas, Decoy Magazine, November/ December. (25,000 - 35,000)
437 Detail
149
438
438 Detail
438. Rigmate pair of eiders, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Relief wing carving, inlet heads, and carved eyes. Original paint with almost no wear; some discoloration on white areas of drake where primer has bled through; small crack at back side of neck on hen; short surface cracks in bodies. 150
Provenance: Connally collection.
(9,500 - 12,500)
439
439 Detail
439 Detail
439. Sculpturesque preening black duck, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Fine form with inlet head, relief wing carving, and carved eyes. Near mint original paint; never used; several small scrapes on one side; tiny chips missing at seam where inlet head joins body showing original filler there.
Provenance: Recently found at a hunting camp in Maine.
(10,000 - 15,000)
151
Ward Brothers
Crisfield, Maryland
440
441
440. “Knot head’ style canvasback drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa late 1920s. From a different hunting rig than the group we had been selling that came from Florida. No ice dip behind head. Original paint with moderate wear; flaking and wear on much of the decoy; black on breast and most paint on head has been redone; some neck base filler has been replaced; small crack through neck; small rough area on one side of bill. 152
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath. (4,000 - 6,000)
441. Pair of shooting stool model canvasbacks, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1968. Both have slightly turned heads. Several small paint rubs on hen, otherwise very good and original. (3,500 - 5,500)
442
443
443 Detail
442. Canvasback drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, late 1920s. Relief wing carving and very wide body style. Old in use repaint on most of the decoy; gray area on back is original; numerous cracks.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 14. (3,000 - 4,000)
443. High tail style black duck, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1950. Balsa body with slightly turned cedar head and inserted cedar tail. Good paint detail. Several tiny rough spots on edge of bill; otherwise very good and original.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
(4,000 - 6,000)
153
Glenn Luther Martin 1886 - 1955
Glenn L. Martin in pusher-biplane, circa 1912 (note the newspapers stacked on wing; Martin delivered newspapers as a part of his promotional efforts to fund his first plant)
Glenn Luther Martin (January 17, 1886 – December 5, 1955) was an American aviation pioneer. He designed and built his own aircraft and was an active pilot. He founded his own aircraft company in 1912 which today, through several mergers, is known as the Lockheed Martin company. In 1928, the Glenn L. Martin Company moved to Maryland, bringing hundreds of much needed jobs, an airport, and a booming aviation industry. Martin owned more than one duck club, in Maryland, but the most famous is now known as Remington Farms. Set up to shoot primarily divers, he ordered a rig of 1936 model canvasbacks from the Ward Brothers. One interesting carving distinction found on this rig is the carved groove separating the bill and face. This is found only on the highest-grade decoys made by Lem and Steve.
154
444
444 Detail
444 Detail
444. Rare canvasback hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1932. From the Glen L. Martin rig; branded “GLM”. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; small separation at neck filler; short crack in underside was filled and touched up a long time ago. (12,000 - 15,000)
155
445 Detail
445
156
445 Detail
445 Detail
445. Exceptional black duck, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. 1936 model with slightly turned and lifted head; signed on the underside; extra fine feather paint detail. Near mint original paint; this is part of a rig that was taken back to Lem Ward to sign; at that time he painted the undersides black, and at that time he accidentally smudged a small amount of black paint on the side of the head.
Literature: “Ward Brothers - A Collectors Guide,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 79. (35,000 - 45,000)
157
446. Pair of 1948 model mallards, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Balsa bodies with slightly turned cedar heads and inserted cedar tails. Original paint with minor wear; numerous tiny dents in balsa and wear to balsa at bottom edge. (5,000 - 8,000)
446
447. 1936 model pintail drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. From the White Mallard Club. Marks on underside indicate horseshoe weight has been removed. Head is turned slightly to the left. Strong original paint protected by an old coat of varnish; crack running partway through the back; chip missing from underside of bill; a few small dents around tail area and one side of wing. (6,000 - 9,000)
447 448. Pair of high tail style mallards, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1950. Balsa body with inserted cedar tails and slightly turned cedar heads. Original paint with very minor wear a few small dents in balsa; both have separations at neck seat filler; drake has a crack in the underside.
448
158
Provenance: Megargee collection. (5,000 - 8,000)
449 Detail
449 Detail
449 449. Pintail hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Delicately carved 1936 model with slightly turned head and “LT Ward and Bro” inkstamp under the tail; signed. Near mint original paint with a slight shine to it; structurally very good. (16,000 - 20,000) 159
Virginia Luther Lee nottingham 1851 - 1942 Cobb’s Station, Virginia
Nottingham’s letterhead when he was Superintendent of Northhampton County schools and game warden for the Eastern Shore Game Protective Association of Virginia. “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein
Nottingham was a waterfowl hunter and a warden for the Eastern Shore Game Protective Association in 1894 - the Association issued hunting licenses and policed hunting areas before the State of Virginia began doing so. He was also postmaster and the Superintendent of Schools for North Hampton County. Nottingham made very few decoys - mostly shorebirds. A very few black ducks and geese are known to exist. Nottingham was a good friend of Cape Charles, Virginia decoy collector Roy Bull, and gave this very rare Canada goose to him
450 Detail
160
450 450. Extremely rare swimming and dipping Canada goose, Luther Lee Nottingham, Cobb’s Station, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Constructed from cottonwood. Unusual style carved with two angled surfaces on underside to make the decoy rock or dip with wave motion, a characteristic which is unkown to have been used by any other Virginia carver. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; feather paint detail on the sides as well as the underside; original filler has come out of defect in wood at one side of top of head; most of the defect was filled with a dowel when the decoy was made; original dowel in defect remains; small cracks.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Sam Dyke. Sam obtained the decoy from Roy Bull, who obtained it from Nottingham.
Literature: “Southern Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 146
Decoys,” Henry (25,000 - 35,000)
450 Detail
161
451.
451
452
453
454
455
456
Hollow carved pintail drake, Dave “Umbrella” Watson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1900. Slightly raised wingtip carving. Body halves are joined with small wooden dowels. A mixture of old repaint and some original; crack in tail; separation at neck seat. Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 84. (1,750 - 2,250)
452. Mallard hen, Norman Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, circa 1960s. Good scratch paint detail and fluted tail. Original paint; minor wear; crack through neck; age split in underside. Literature: “Ira Hudson and Family,” Henry Stansbury, p. 111, rigmates. (1,500 - 2,500) 453. Merganser hen, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia, first quarter 20th century. Original paint; minor shrink-
162
age and wear; one tine in crest is missing, another one is a little rough; two small shot marks. (2,250 - 2,750) 454. Merganser hen, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Carved crest. Many coats of old paint; old breaks around neck seat; replaced bill. (1,200 - 1,500) 455. Working brant, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded “Cigar”. Inscription put on later reads “Delbert Cigar Daisey 1960. Made for Zed Randy Lewis. For 6$ Wachaparague.” Also branded “CRL”. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; small crack in back and tail; small cracks in breast and under tail. (1,000 - 1,400) 456.
Bluebill drake, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Flat bottom style with fluted tail and ice dip behind slightly turned head. Original paint with very minor shrinkage and wear; hairline crack in underside. (900 - 1,200)
Ira Hudson
1876 - 1949 Chincoteague, Virginia
457
457 Detail
457. Exceptionally well painted black duck, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. From a rig that consisted of several hollow cedar black ducks and the rest made from balsa. As with the well known cedar black ducks from this rig this also has a slightly turned tail. Ice dip behind head and tail is fluted. Extra fine scratch feather paint detail. Slight shrinkage on much of the underside; small area of paint shrinkage behind head; three small dents in balsa.
Literature: “Ira Hudson and Family,” Henry Stansbury, p. 59.
(14,000 - 18,000) 163
Doug Jester
1876 - 1961 Chincoteague, Virginia
458
458 Detail
458 Detail
458. Exceptional pair of hooded mergansers, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia, 2nd quarter 20th century. Four small dog chew marks in hen’s bill, otherwise excellent and original with very good paint. (10,000 - 14,000)
164
A barrier island located in Accomac County, Virginia, Chinchoteague has a long-standing reputation as the home to many important decoy carvers. Ira Hudson was probably the most prolific but others have left their mark in history, including Dave Watson, Miles Hancock, William Mathews, Charles Birch, and Doug Jester. What we find so interesting about this ruddy duck is that of all the carvers just named, we only know of two examples of a working ruddy ducks, this one and
459 Detail
a rigmate pictured on page 273 of Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway. Maybe the reason is that ruddy ducks will decoy to other species, so their decoys are not necessary. However, It his hard to believe that with thousands of decoys made on Chincoteague, in numerous species, combined with the desirability of ruddys as table fare, that there are not more examples known.
459
459. Rare and possibly unique ruddy duck, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia. Fine scratch painting on wings and tail with classic wet on wet blending around underside of tail and body. Approximately 10” in length. Excellent original paint; unrigged with only a few small rubs and tiny nicks.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. “Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway,” George Ross Starr, p. 273, only other known example. (9,500 - 12,500)
165
460
461
462
463
464
465
460. Coot with aluminum head, James Rowe, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Branded “J.L. Rowe”. Original paint with very minor wear; small cracks in body. (800 - 1,200)
463.
461. Hollow carved canvasback drake, Dave “Umbrella” Watson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Old in use repaint; a few small dents. (600 - 900)
464. Flying 1/2 size black duck from Chincoteague, Virginia. Incised wing feather carving and turned head. Small crack where wing joins body otherwise, original and good. (400 - 600)
462.
Rigmate pair of buffleheads, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia. Very late and never used. Near mint original paint; minor discoloration; structurally good. (600 - 900)
Hollow carved Canada goose, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Reheaded by a New Jersey carver in the 1930s; separation at body seam. (500 - 800)
465. Swimming Canada goose, which is an Ira Hudson head on an old body from Massachusetts. Neck seat was reshaped when the head was applied. Old repaint; cracks; small chips at neck base. Provenance: Connally collection.
166
(350 - 450)
466
467
468
468A
468B
468B
466.
Bluebill hen, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague Virginia. Worn original paint; neck chip repair; cracks in body.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Harold Hartel, Hartel collection stamp on underside. (350 - 550)
468C
468A. Canada goose, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, first quarter 20th century. Slightly turned head. Paint has been restored in the Hudson style, small cracks, small bill chip repair. (800 - 1,200)
467. Solid body black duck, Charles Birch, Willis Wharf, Virginia. A mixture of old repaint and original; a few small dents; crack in underside. (350 - 450)
468B. Two hand colored photogauvers, Rex Brasher. Golden eagle chasing a flock of redheads, and road runners. Signed. Image size approximately 10” x 14”. Watercolor good; matting discolored. (500 - 800)
468. Pintail drake, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia, first quarter 20th century. Paint has been restored in the Hudson style; crack through neck; repair to a chip on one side of the bill. (600 - 900)
468C. “Marshes at Evening,” a large etching by Frank Benson. Signed in the margin. Professionally matted and framed. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
167
Elkanah Cobb
1852 - 1943 Cobb Island, Virginia
A gunning party on a sailing vessel off of Cobb Island, c. 1892. Elkanah is seated second from left. “Southern Decoys,� Henry Fleckenstein, Jr.
469
168
469 Detail
469 Detail
469. Hollow carved brant, Elkanah Cobb, Cobb Island, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Raised “V” wingtip carving. Bill is doweled through to the back of the head. Angled neck seat with head in slightly forward position. Old paint on much of the decoy appears to be original; bill is a professional replacement; black paint on front of decoy has been strengthened in numerous areas; small cracks. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Clareane and Bud Menzelm, Tucson, Arizona. Collection label on the underside. Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 194.
(17,500 - 22,500)
169
470
471
470. Rare hollow carved brant, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Exceptionally fine and bold feather paint. Black areas have appealing old in use repaint; old overpaint was taken off white under the tail with traces remaining; original paint on brown feathered area on center half of decoy; structurally very good.
170
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 35. (5,000 - 7,000)
471. Stylish Canada goose in rare swimming pose, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Paint has been restored by Frank Finney; age split in underside; body has three piece laminated construction; crack through neck. (3,000 - 4,000)
Delaware River
472
473
472. Swimming bluebill hen and drake, John Blair, Jr., Philadelphia, Pennnsylvania, last quarter 19th century. Both have a mix of original paint with moderate wear and old touchup; small rough area on underside of drake near pad weight; small dents.
Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, p. 41. (3,500 - 5,500)
473. Small swimming blackduck, John Blair, Jr., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, last quarter 19th century. Approximately 14” long; from the Bridesburg Frankford Hunting Club; stamped “BF” on the underside. Original paint with moderate wear and some touchup. (2,500 - 3,500)
171
474
172
474 Detail
474 Detail
474. Important hollow carved mallard drake, from the Philadelphia area, last quarter 19th century. Graceful form with lifted tail and unusual cocked head. Finely detailed bill deliniation. Strong original paint with slight crazing and wear; worn to the primer in several tiny spots on tail and neck; hairline crack in bill; two small cracks in neck.
Literature: “Decoys,” Linda and Gene Kangas, p. 202, exact decoy.
(20,000 - 30,000)
173
475
476
477
478
479
480
475. Black duck, Larry McLaughlin, Edgely, Pennsylvania. Raised “V” wingtip carving. Minor paint flaking on one side, otherwise very good and original. Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, p. 89. (800 - 1,200) 476. Bluebill hen, Harry Fennimore, Bordentown, New Jersey. Branded “Seidel”; tack eyes; raised “V” wingtip carving and fluted tail. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; a few tiny dents.
Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, p. 65. (1,000 - 1,400)
477. ”Low head” style black duck, Reg Marter, Burlington, New Jersey. Raised “V” wing carving and fluted tail. Original paint with small rubs to primer and bare wood; a few tiny dents.
174
Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, p. 86. (1,200 - 1,600)
478. Classic pintail drake, John Blair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, last quarter 19th century. Hollow carved with raised neck seat and tack eyes. Branded “J.R. Herlin”. Old in use repaint; two tiny cracks in worn area at tip of tail; very lightly hit by shot. (1,750 - 2,250) 479. Black duck, Dan English, Florence, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
(2,000 - 3,000)
480. Early mallard drake, attributed to T. Scott Bristol, Pennsylvania. Hollow carved with very thin, light weight construction. Original paint with minor flaking and wear; structurally good. Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(2,000 - 3,000)
481
482 481 Detail
481. Very rare greenwing teal, Reg Marter, Burlington, New Jersey, circa 1925. Fine form with raised “V” wingtip caving and fluted tail. Marter’s brass name tag is on the underside. Original paint with good feather detail and very minor wear; wear on one speculum; slight worn area on wood on one side of bill; professional tail chip repair.
482 Detail
482.
Early hollow greater scaup, John Blair, Jr., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1st quarter 20th century. Head slightly forward in a swimming pose. Dry original paint shows some flaking around the top of the tail; retains nice feathering on the back; the surface has darkened somewhat; structurally excellent. (5,000 - 8,000)
Provenance: Ex Marter Family collection. Ex Alan Haid collection.
Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, p. 87. (6,000 - 8,000) 175
483
484
485
486
488
487
483. Blair school Canada goose, circa 1900. Old in use repaint; cracks through neck; hit by shot.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(650 - 950)
structurally good; hairline crack partway through bill.
Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight. Photo of Bianco holding this decoy, p. 24. (500 - 800)
484. Hollow carved old squaw drake from the Delaware River, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and slightly fluted tail. Tack eyes. Branded “____ ____ Certzen”.* Old in use repaint; small chip missing from tail.
487. Bufflehead hen and drake, Charles Allen, Bordentown, New Jersey. Branded “C.L. Allen”. Near mint original paint, structurally good; keel has been removed from drake.
Provenance: Megargee collection.
(750 - 1,000)
485. Canvasback drake, Tony Bianco; Bordentown, New Jersey. Bianco brand in underside; relief wingtip carving. Very good and original. (350 - 450) 486. Pintail drake, Tony Bianco, Bordentown, New Jersey. Raised wingtips. Original paint with minor wear; 176
Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, p. 12. (1,000 - 1,400)
488. Rigmate pair of redheads, William Quinn, Yardley, Pennsylvania. Identified on weight. Appealing in use repaint; structurally good.
Provenance: Bartlett collection.
(2,000 - 3,000)
New Jersey Shore
489
490
491
492
493
494
489. Brant, Lou Barkelow, Forked River, New Jersey. Bill is doweled through to the back of head. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; a few small dents. (1,000 - 1,500) 490.
Very rare brant with cocked head, Giddeon Lippencott, Wading River, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Body halves are joined with two small dowels. Appealing old in use repaint on the white area of the tail; otherwise original with minor shrinkage and wear; a few small dents. Provenance: Found by Fred Noyes around 1950. One of 5, and formerly in the Noyes museum collection.
Literature: “Working Decoys of the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley,” Kenneth Gossner, p. 126. “Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys,” Joe Engers, editor. P. 11 rigmate. (1,500 - 2,000) 491. Blackduck, Willis Johnson, Point Pleasant, New Jersey, circa 1940. Applied wingtips. Very good and
original.
(950 - 1,250)
492. Redhead hen and drake; Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton New Jersey, first quarter 20th century. Both have John Hillman’s brand in the underside. Most of the paint on the hen is original with minor wear; moderately hit by shot; drake has had the paint restored by John Hillman; small cracks and shot marks. (1,500 - 2,500) 493. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Nathan Birdsall, Lovelandtown, New Jersey. Body halves are joined by two wooden dowels; carved symbol on undersides indicates the decoys are from the Haines rig out of the Marsh Elder Island Hunting Club. Old in use repaint; small dent; repair to chip at the end of the bill of the drake. (500 - 800) 494. Rare goldeneye hen, Joe King, Manahawkin, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint in white areas and on bill; the rest has original with minor wear; cracks in back and lower breast; two tiny dents. (800 - 1,200) 177
Paintings 495
497
496
498
495. Watercolor of flying pintails, David Hagerbaumer. Signed and dated 1964; professionally matted and framed; image size approximately 17” x 22”. Very good and original. (1,500 - 2,000)
497. Oil on board of flying black duck, Dr. Edgar Burke. Signed. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 7.5” x 10”. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,500)
496. 19th century oil on canvas of three trout hanging from a birch tree. Found in Maine; professionally framed; frame size approx 18” x 29”. Two small scratches in paint; otherwise very good and original. (900 - 1,200)
498. Landscape watercolor, Anthony Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Image is approximately 20” x 16”. Wagon trail in woods with stone wall and trees. Titled “The Way Through the Woods”. Signed “E. Crowell 22”. Original frame that is sealed on the back and has never been opened. (800 - 1,200)
178
Guns 499
500
501
502
499. Extremely rare percussion punt gun and carriage, last quarter 19th century. Belgian proofed. Part octagonal, part round barrel. Dull brown finish, rust and overall wear consistent with age. Butt plate with one crudely replaced screw. Diameter of barrel 1.25”. Length of barrel 45.5”. Length overall 62”. Wooden carriage under old white paint oxidized to gray. Includes attached recoil springs, length 58”. Good. (4,500 - 5,500) 500. Rare percussion market gun with carriage, last quarter 19th century. Unmarked. Part octagonal, part round barrel. Back action lock. Dull brown finish. Bore diameter 1”. Length of barrel 33.25”. Overall length 49”. Wooden carriage under white paint oxidized to gray. Includes recoil spring. Length 55”. Good. (2,000 - 3,000) 501. Unusual breach loading single shot market gun, circa 1900. 62” in length with checkered forearm. Engraved below hammer “J. Donn & Bro, Clinton, Illinois.” Probably a four gauge. Stock is an old replacement; both forearm and stock have old leather make due wrapping. (1,000 - 1,500)
503 502. 86” long punt gun. “A. Jones” and “Meekins” are carved in the stock. Of undetermined age. Structurally good but surface has been coated with a thin paint wash. (1,750 - 2,250) 503. Glass ball trap thrower, Capt. Adam Bogardus, Elkhart, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Bogardus (1833 – 1913) was a market hunter, inventor of the glass target ball and thrower, and 17 time world wing shot champion. Original condition; part of one wooden cross brace is missing; minor roughness to other wood; some pitting. (1,250 - 1,750) 179
Maryland
504
505
506
508 504.
507
509 Very rare “high head” style canvasback drake, Thomas Barnard, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Appealing old in use repaint; numerous cracks through neck; with tin strip tacked to one side to strengthen the area.
Literature: “Chesapeake Bay Decoys,” Robert Richardson. (1,400 - 1,800) 505. “High neck” style canvasback drake, John Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, 3rd quarter 19th century. “JD Graham” in underside twice. Old repaint; thin crack through neck; small dents; piece of wood missing where tie straps were attached over the years; lightly hit by shot. Literature: “Decoys of the Mid-Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. (2,000 - 3,000) 506. Three mergansers, Bernie White, Fishing Creek, Maryland. Signed. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (1,250 - 1,750) 180
509A 507. Rare canvasback, George Washington Barnes, Carpenters Point, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; hairline crack in top of tail; very small defect in wood in tail.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 128. (650 - 950)
508. Pair of mallards, Jim Currier, Chestertown, Maryland. Unused. Both have near mint original paint protected by the original coat of varnish. (650 - 950) 509. Rigmate pair of pintails, Jess Urie, Rock Hall, Maryland. Original paint with minor wear; crack in each neck; dent in hen’s back; crack and small rough area in one side of drake. (650 - 950) 509A. Canada goose, John Vickers, Cambridge, Maryland. Old in use repaint; numerous cracks and dents. (600 - 900)
510
510. Vintage swan from the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Wide flat body style, approximately 12” across. Old in use repaint; several age splits in body; neck repair that has been strengthened with a metal brace.
510 Detail
Provenance: Connally collection.
Literature: “Ira Hudson and Family,” Henry Stansbury, p. 97. (9,000 - 12,000)
181
511. High head canvasback drake, Charles Nelson Barnard, Havre de Grace, Maryland, 1st quarter 20th century. Branded “JP”. Old in use repaint; neck seat is lifted slightly; a few small dents.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 121. (2,500 - 3,500)
511
512. Canvasback drake, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. McGaw stamp in underside. Original paint with minor discoloration and good patina and a few small rubs; structurally good.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 94. (3,000 - 4,000)
513.
Extremely rare “high neck” style canvasback, Joe Dye, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Appealing old in use repaint; lightly hit by shot; small crack through neck.
512
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid-Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 109. (3,000 - 4,000)
513
514. Large Canada goose, Captain Ed Phillips, Cambridge, Maryland. Original paint with significant shrinkage and minor wear; filled “in the making” crack in back with much of the filler missing; other cracks; old in use repaint to the white areas under the tail. (2,000 - 3,000)
514
182
Maryland 515. Swan with swinging “barn door” weight, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint with minor wear; minor flaking on keel; thin crack through neck. (2,000 - 3,000)
515
516
517
518
519
516.
Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. 1948 models with balsa bodies. Slightly turned cedar heads, and inserted cedar tails. Paint has been restored by the Ward Brothers; small cracks at drake’s neck base. (1,200 - 1,500)
517. Rare 1932 model “pinch breasted” bluebill drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Old repaint; crack in underside and through neck; shallow chip missing from underside of bill. (950 - 1,250)
518. Redhead drake, Taylor Boyd, Perryville, Maryland. Raised neck seat. Old working paint; one tack eye; neck has been broken and reattached; considerable wear over entire decoy. (400 - 600) 519. Wide body swan from the Chesapeake Bay. Head has laminated construction. Old repaint; slight separation at seams; tail chip missing. (1,000 - 1,400)
183
New England
520
521
522
523
524
525
520. Goldeneye drake from Connecticut, first quarter 20th century. Highly detailed feather carving on entire upper half of the decoy. Original paint and minor wear and discoloration from a coat of varnish; two small chips missing from top of tail; one was touched up a long time ago; small crack at neck seam; old touch up on head and bill. (1,250 - 1,750) 521. Goldeneye hen by a member of Nickerson Family, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Relief wing carving and glass eyes. Worn old paint; small dents; a few hairline cracks. (800 - 1,200) 522.
184
Very early and folky merganser hen from New England, circa 1900. Wide body and hollowed from the top with circular cutouts that have been rescored with brass nails. Very old working repaint that has heavily crazed; neck is loose; small area of damage to tip of bill. (800 - 1,200)
523. Two black ducks, from Hampton, New Hampshire, 2nd quarter 20th century. Both are branded “WP Brown”. Body halves are attached with small wooden dowels. Slightly turned heads. Original paint with moderate wear; small chip in one eye. (950 - 1,250) 524. Merganser hen, Nickerson Family, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Relief wing carving. Head is in a swimming pose. Original paint with restoration to neck. (1,200 - 1,500) 525. Swimming black duck with turned head, Willard C. Baldwin, Stratford, Connecticut. Branded “WCB” and “HCM”. Original paint with good detail and very minor wear; reglued crack in bill.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(650 - 950)
526. Delicate black duck, Lou Rathmell, Stratford, Connecticut, 1941. Fine scratch painting on head, with articulate bill carving. Weight on underside reads “Rathmell 1941.” Original paint on head, the rest has old in use repaint; structurally sound. (2,500 - 3,500)
526
527. Wood duck drake, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, circa 1920. Branded. “C.F. Spear” and “SCITUATE”. Paint has been completely restored in the Lincoln style, probably around 1960; light crazing on primaries; crack that runs the length of underside. (3,000 - 4,000)
527
528. Hollow carved mallard, Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. Slightly turned head. Original paint with moderate wear; some old touchup.
Provenance: Connally collection.
Literature: Merkt.
“Shang,” Dixon (4,000 - 6,000)
528
529. Blackduck, Albert Laing, Stratford, Connecticut, third quarter 19th century. Laing brand in underside. Old in use repaint; with moderate wear, probably by Shang Wheeler; old bill from another Laing decoy was spliced into the head at the same time or before it was repainted. (1,750 - 2,250)
529
185
530
531
532
533
534
530. Very rare lowhead sleeper style goldeneye drake, Albert Laing, Stratford, Connecticut and New York, New York, 3rd quarter 19th century. Branded “H. LAING”. Old in use repaint; rough areas on bill and top of head; rough area on one edge of tail.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(800 - 1,200)
531. Monhegan Island style scoter, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Inlet head carved eyes and relief wing carving. Lightly hit by shot; filled crack in one side of head; small cracks.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(650 - 950)
532. Large Canada goose from Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Head is doweled through the neck to attach it to the body. Worn old paint; numerous cracks and shot marks.
(400 - 600)
533. Large hollow carved mallard from Connecticut. Original paint with minor wear mostly on one lower side; old tag stapled to underside reads, “Collection General Chet DeGavre from Bill Mackey 1952”. (650 - 950) 534. Four bluebill drakes from Connecticut. Two are in sleeping poses. Old in use repaint; small dents.
186
Provenance: Connally collection.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(800 - 1,200)
New York State
535
536
537
538
539
540
535. Two cast iron wing ducks from Long Island New York, circa 1900. Original and good. (500 - 800)
touchup; small crack in bill was repaired by adding three tiny nails to the underside of bill. (400 - 600)
536. Black duck, Julius Middlesteadt, Rochester, New York. Original paint with minor wear; professional bill repair; repair to a large chip at one lower side of the body. (350 - 450)
539. Goldeneye hen from Long Island, New York from the Seaford area, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; small amount of dog chews on end of bill; most of head was repainted a long time ago. (400 - 600)
537.
Goldeneye hen, Clayton, New York, circa 1900. Original paint that is well blended. Minor wear, mostly at head; a few small dents. (350 - 550)
538. Redhead drake, Orthan Patterson, Wellesley Island, New York, circa 1920s. Weight is stamped “ONP”. Original paint on most of the decoy; bill has old
540. Bluebill hen, Stevens Factory, Weedsport, New York, circa 1900. Hump back style. Original paint on head and body; with a black coat of primer showing through on areas of head; three shot marks in head and bill; rough areas around edge of body; second working coat of paint on bill has partially worn off; one eye appears to be a replacement. (400 - 600) 187
New Jersey
541
544
545
546
547
548
549
541.
Oversized redhead drake, Ruben Corliss, Manahawkin, New Jersey, circa 1950. Original paint with minor wear; small crack through neck; lightly hit by shot. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of John Hillman. (400 - 600)
542. Black duck, Fred Shropshire, New Gretna, New Jersey. Original paint with very minor wear; a few tiny dents. (450 - 650) 543. Rare greenwing teal, Bill Hammell, Absecon, New Jersey. Appealing old in use repaint; a few tiny dents. (450 - 650) 544. Rare bluebill drake, Thomas Applegate, Forked River, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. From the hunting rig of J.L. Price. Price brand in underside. Paint on back is original with moderate wear; paint on white area has been restored; small cracks. (500 - 800) 545. Bufflehead drake, Calvin Downes, New Gretna, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Body halves are joined by two wooden dowels. Old in use repaint; worn to the wood in many areas; small dents. (500 - 800) 546. Rigmate pair of goldeneye, Captain Stites York, Cape May, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; small cracks; area of dry rot on underside of 188
543
542
drake approximately 2” x 3”.
Provenance: Acquired by the consignor in the July 1983 Richard Bourne auction. (550 - 850)
547. Bluebill hen & drake, Nathan Birdsall, Lovelandtown, New Jersey, circa 1900, and Eugene and Jesse Birdsall, Barnegat, New Jersey. Nathan’s has mark on underside that indicates decoy was from the Haines rig out of the Marsh Elder Island Hunting Club. Old in use repaint; small crack in back; tail chip repair; filler added to chip in one side of bill; crack in back.
Literature: “New Jersey Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 108. (600 - 900)
548. Two redhead drakes, Eugene Birdsall, Barnegat, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; rough area on one edge of one’s tail; several small cracks.
Literature: “Decoys of New Jersey and the Delaware River,” Kenneth Gosner, p. 140. (600 - 900)
549. Redhead hen and canvasback drake, Eugene Birdsall, Barnegat, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. “AW” carved in drake’s weight. Redhead has old in use repaint, crack through neck; lightly hit by shot; canvasback has old in use repaint; small cracks; professional repair to roughly half of the bill. (500 - 700)
549A
550
551
553
552
554
549A. Redhead drake, Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Original paint with minor wear mostly on underside; inset rectangular weight is missing; approximately 3/4” round hole is drilled in the underside where the weight was inset; small crack in tail; minor roughness to one edge of tail; body seam is opened slightly on one side with filler and touchup in that area; shallow rough spot in underside.
Provenance: From the Accomac Club, Eastern Shore Virginia. Accomac brand in underside. (3,000 - 5,000)
550. Three swimming brant, Harry M. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey, first quarter 20th century. Old in use repaint; small cracks and dents; one has a replaced head. (1,500 - 2,000) 551. Rare preening black duck from South Jersey. Used as both a floater and stickup. Original paint with minor wear; rough area on one edge of tail with touchup in that area; a few small and short cracks in body. (950 - 1,250) 552. Black duck with lifted head, Bradford Salmons, Mayette, New Jersey, last quarter 19th centu-
555 ry. Appealing old in use repaint; structurally good. (900 - 1,200) 553. Bluebill drake, Henry Kilpatrick, Barnegat, New Jersey, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with moderate wear; small crack in neck; several tiny dents and shot marks.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Fred Ellenberg.
Literature: “New Jersey Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 71, exact decoy. (650 - 950) 554. Bluebill hen, Nathan Birdsall, Lovelandtown, New Jersey, circa 1900. Original paint on much of the decoy; old touchup on part of bill; crack in back; small chip missing from one edge of tail. (650 - 950) 555. Redhead drake, Henry Kilpatrick, Barnegat, New Jersey. From the hunting rig of J. Dilworth, Salem, New Jersey. Appealing old in use repaint; surface crack in one side of head.
Literature: “Decoys of New Jersey and the Delaware River,” Kenneth Gosner, p. __ exact decoy. (600 - 900) 189
Contemporary Carvings
562
561
560
564
563
567
566
569
568
560. Feeding curlew, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. “Minnow in throat” style with carved raised shoulder and a split tail on fancy burl base. Excellent and original. (500 - 800)
566. 1/4 size Canada goose, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Carved in the style of the Ward Brothers logo goose. Hollow with fluted tail, raised wings, snuggled head, and crossed wingtips. (500 - 800)
561. Brant carved in the Cobb Island style, Reggie Birch, Chincoteague, Virginia. Signed. Original paint that has been aged; small cracks; worn area on wingtips. (500 - 700)
567. Large American merganser drake, Keith Mueller, Killingsworth, Connecticut. Mueller brand in underside. Hollow carved with slightly turned head. Several tiny paint flakes missing from head; otherwise very good and original. (600 - 900)
562.
A snow goose and merganser drake signed “PL”. Both have relief wing carving and turned heads. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (650 - 950)
563. Pair of pintails, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Signed. Also large “C” carved in underside. Original paint that has been aged; discoloration at lower half of drake. (650 - 950) 564. Pair of canvasbacks, Andre Broussard, St. Andre de LaCalle, Quebec. Approximately 40 years old and artificially aged. (650 - 950) 190
568. Two sandpipers on a carved base with shell, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Both have carved shoulders, raised and split wingtips, and snuggled heads with fine feather paint detail. Each has “G. Strunk” carved in underside. Excellent and original. (500 - 800) 569.
Flicker, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Mounted against wooden piece emulating a tree. Raised wingtips. Wire legs. Signed “G. Strunk” on underside. Excellent and original. (500 - 800)
572
571
570
573
576
575
574
578
577
570. Pair of buffleheads, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Signed. Drake has slightly turned head. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
575. Feeding dowitcher, William Gibian, Onancock, Virginia. Signed. Relief wing carving. Very good and original. (350 - 450)
571. Pair of redheads, David Blackiston. Signed and dated 2007. Both have slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
576. Running yellowlegs, William Gibian, Onancock, Virginia. Relief wing carving and carved wingtips. His earlier carving style with “WG” carving in underside. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (400 - 600)
572. Gadwall with turned head, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Original and good. (350 - 450) 573. Two yellowlegs with iron bills, David Ward, Essex, Connecticut. Both are stamped “DBW, ‘79”. Original and good.
Provenance: Connally collection.
(400 - 600)
574. Five bird carvings. Three shorebirds, one wood cock and one crow, Harry V. Shourds III. Signed. Original and good. (400 - 600)
577. Pair of gadwalls, Zack Ward, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed. Carved in the Crisfield tradition. Very good and original. (500 - 800) 578. Pair of black ducks, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Both have a large “C” carved under the tail. Preener has raised carved wingtips. Very good and original. (500 - 800)
191
Maryland
579
580
581
582
584
583
579. Bluebill drake, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint with moderate discoloration and wear; small dents. (600 - 900) 580. Pair of greenwing teal, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Signed with electro pen. Original paint with very slight wear; structurally good. (600 - 900) 581. Brant from the Gooseville Gun Club, last quarter 19th century. Gun club brand is in the underside. Old in use repaint; age split in one side; several cracks; decoy has been reheaded, probably by Hurley Conklin.
192
Provenance: Megargee collection. Acquired on Hooper’s Island, Maryland in 1982. (550 - 850)
582. Two flat bottom widgeon drakes, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace. Signed with electro pen. One has a turned head. One is near mint; the other has slightly raised filler at nails in top of head and paint crazing at a knot in one side. (500 - 700) 583. High head canvasback drake, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Old in use repaint; small cracks in neck. (500 - 800) 584. Working black duck, Oliver Lawson, Crisfield, Maryland. Balsa body with slightly turned cedar head and inserted cedar tail. Original paint with minor wear; mostly on one side; small crack and a few small dents in balsa. (400 - 600)
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
585. Snow goose, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint with some patina; a few small dents. (400 - 600)
590. Pair of mallards, Paul Gibson, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Unused. Excellent and original; small crack through hen’s neck. (400 - 600)
586. Mallard hen and drake, Madison Mitchell Havre de Grace, Maryland. Signed with electro pen. Drake has slightly turned head. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
591. Pintail drake, attributed to Glenwood Tyler, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1920s. Old in use repaint; numerous cracks; filled age splits; paint on bill appears to be original. (350 - 450)
587. Canvasback drake, possible Dye Family body. Branded “Grace” on underside, with additional carved “R”. Old paint has been scraped down; head is a possible later replacement. (400 - 500) 588. Rare pair of buffleheads, Alvin Meekins, Hooper’s Island, Maryland. Crack and a few small dents in one side of head; original paint with minor wear. (400 - 600) 589. Cork body Canada goose, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Long neck style. Original paint with moderate wear; numerous cracks and dents in cork; old repaint on white areas. (400 - 600)
592. ”Upriver” model redhead, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Signed with electro pen. Several small dents; otherwise very good and original. (350 - 450) 593. Canada goose, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Branded “JM” for James McGregor. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; crack through neck. (350 - 550)
End of Session Two 193
Index of Carvers Allen, Russ........................................................................................ 346D Allen, Charles...................................................................................... 487 Anger, Ken........................................................................... 69, 70, 81, 82 Animal Trap Factory........................................................................... 217 Applegate, Thomas.............................................................................. 544 Baldwin, William................................................................................. 525 Barkelow, Joel........................................................................................ 45 Barkelow, Lou...................................................................................... 489 Barnard, Thomas.................................................................................. 504 Barnard, Charles Nelson.............................................................. 255, 511 Barnes, Sam......................................................................................... 201 Barnes, George Washington................................................................. 507 Barrett, Jake......................................................................................... 277 Bartow, George.................................................................................... 385 Bennett, George................................................................................... 417 Benson, Frank................................................................................... 468C Bianco, Tony................................................................................ 485, 486 Birch, Charles...................................................................................... 188 Birch, Reggie............................................................................ 220A, 561 Birch, Charles...................................................................... 374, 376, 467 Birdsall, Jess.................................................................................. 62, 308 Birdsall, Nathan................................................................... 493, 547, 554 Birdsall, Eugene........................................................................... 548, 549 Blackston, David.................................................................................. 571 Blair, John............................................................................................ 478 Blair, Jr., John...................................................................... 472, 473, 482 Bourg, Xavier.....................................................................142, 144E, 148 Bowman, William.................................................................................. 16 Boyd, George.......................................................................... 32, 33, 48C Boyd, Taylor................................................................................. 151, 518 Brasher, Rex...................................................................................... 468B Broussard, Andrea..................................................................... 223A, 564 Brown, Dan.......................................................................................... 208 Bryan, Charlie...................................................................................... 295 Buchanan, Charles............................................................................... 366 Budd, Judson........................................................................................ 367 Burke, Dr. Edgar.................................................................................. 497 Campo, Domingo................................................................................. 131 Cargile, Lou......................................................................................... 209 Chambers, Tom...................................................................................... 71 Champagne, Walter.............................................................................. 147 Chesser, Grayson................................................. 346, 563, 570, 572, 578 Chrysler, William................................................................................. 238 Cobb, Arthur........................................................................................ 372 Cobb. Elkanah...................................................................................... 469 Cobb, Jr., Nathan.......................................................................... 371, 378 Collins, Sr., Sam.................................................................................. 348 Corliss, Ruben...................................................................................... 541 Cranmer, William......................................................................... 211, 287 Crowell, Elmer..................................................................... 203, 204, 498 Cuffee, Eugene............................................... 12, 409, 410, 412, 413, 422 Currier, Jim.................................................................. 260, 296, 298, 508 Cushing Factory................................................................................... 127 Daisey, Cigar............................. 18-29, 171-177, 190, 335, 337, 338, 455 Dilley, John.......................................................................................... 407 Dodge Decoy Factory.................................................................. 219, 220 Doughty, James...................................................................................... 56 Downes, Calvin.................................................................................... 545 Dudley, Lee.......................................................................................... 185 Dye, Ben...................................................................................... 159, 254 Dye, Joe................................................................................................ 513 Dye Family........................................................................................... 587 Elliston, Robert............................................................................ 379, 380 English, Dan......................................................................................... 479 Evans Decoy Factory................................................................... 216, 218 Fallon, Joe.................................................................................... 210, 364 Fennimore, Harry................................................................................. 476 Ferreira, Jake........................................................................................ 239 Finney, Frank............................... 121, 123, 135, 129, 182, 269, 336, 401 Frederick, Jewels E.............................................................................. 140 Frederick, Jr., George....................................................................135-137 Fuchs, Barry......................................................................................... 324
Fulcher, Mitchell.......................................................................... 186, 191 Gale, Harry............................................................................................. 55 Garren, Otto......................................................................................... 382 Garton, John......................................................................................... 315 Gelston, Thomas.................................................................................... 13 Gibian, William.................................................................... 341, 575, 576 Gibson, Paul......................................................................................... 590 Glen, John.............................................................152, 153, 158, 165-167 Graham, John....................................................................... 157, 251, 505 Grant, Stanley........................................................................................ 67 Graves, Bert......................................................................................... 381 Hagerbaumer, David............................................................................ 495 Hammell, Bill....................................................................................... 543 Harris, Ken............................................................................................. 15 Hart, Charles........................................................................................ 354 Hawthorne, Davison.................................................................... 272, 274 Heath, Cyril.......................................................................................... 307 Heinfield, August................................................................................. 164 Hendrickson, Eugene................................................... 275, 288, 291, 292 Heverin, Will........................................................................................ 160 Hillman, John....................................................................................... 290 Hillman, Anthony................................................................................. 314 Hillman, Jode.................................................................................... 346C Holloway, John..................................................................................346E Holly, James......................................................................... 155, 163, 261 Holly, John “Daddy”............................................................................ 262 Holmes, Ben......................................................................................... 353 Hudson, Ira....................... 187, 344A, 377, 454, 456, 457, 463, 466, 468, 468A, 470, 471 Hudson, Delbert................................................................................ 212D Huey, George............................................................................... 435, 436 Jackson, Scott....................................................................................... 161 Jansen, Richard.................................................................................... 242 Jere, Curtis........................................................................................... 130 Jester, Doug.......................................................... 206, 453, 458, 459, 462 Johnson, Lloyd............................................................................. 276, 286 Johnson, Willis..................................................................................... 491 Joiner, Charlie...........................................................................35-40, 299 Jones, Pied........................................................................................... 421 Kears, Mark............................................................................................ 59 Keifer, A.J............................................................................................ 365 Kerr, Robert........................................................................................... 77 Kilpatrick, Henry......................................................................... 553, 555 King, Perry........................................................................................... 237 King, Joe...................................................................................... 278, 494 LaBoeuf, Orel...................................................................... 221, 222, 230 Lacombe, Paul.............................................. 224, 226, 227, 229, 232, 319 LaFrance, Mitchell............................................................ 138, 144A, 150 Laing, Albert........................................................................ 355, 529, 530 Laroux, Alcide...................................................................................... 234 Lattin, William..................................................................................... 429 Lawson, George.................................................................................212F Lawson, Oliver............................................................................. 363, 584 Leduc, Willie........................................................................................ 231 Leeds, Daniel Lake.......................................................................... 49, 50 Lincoln, Joseph.......................................................... 30, 31, 34, 351, 527 Lipham, Jr., Leonard............................................................................ 316 Lippencott, Giddeon............................................................................ 490 Lockhart, T.N....................................................................................... 321 Madera, Clark...................................................................................63-65 Marter, Reg.................................................................................. 477, 481 Mason Decoy Factor............................................................ 100- 119, 326 McGaw, Robert.................... 154, 162, 202, 205, 257, 342, 512, 579, 583 McIntosh, Leo...................................................................................... 265 McIntyre, Cameron...........................................................1-3, 7, 268, 270 McKenzie Brothers.............................................................................. 384 McLaughlin, Larry............................................................................... 475 McNair, Mark.......................................................................4-6, 8-11, 178 Meekins, Alvin............................................................................. 253, 588 Middlesteadt, Julius............................................................................. 536 Mitchell, Madison........ 258, 297, 515, 580, 582, 585, 586, 589, 592, 593 Moak, Augustus........................................................................ 383, 383A
Mueller, Keith...................................................................................... 567 Nickerson Family......................................................................... 521, 524 Nottingham, Luther Lee....................................................................... 450 Pacquette, Robert......................................................................... 228, 233 Pape, Adam....................................................................................... 144B Paquette Family................................................................................... 223 Parker, Jay.............................................................................................. 58 Parker, Ellis.......................................................................... 282, 283, 289 Parker, Lloyd........................................................................................ 284 Patterson, Orthan.................................................................................. 538 Perdew, Charles............................................................................ 368, 369 Pertuit, Dewey and Tatie.............................................................. 141, 143 Peterson, Oscar.............................................................395-397, 405, 406 Phillips, Ed........................................................................................... 514 Pringle, Peter.......................................................................................... 79 Pryor, Leonard..................................................................... 156, 169, 170 Quinn, William..................................................................................... 488 Rathmell, Lou...................................................................................... 526 Reason, Jamie.....................................................................................212I Rhodes, David...................................................................................... 325 Rienbold, William................................................................................ 122 Rousseau, Remy................................................................................... 132 Rowe, James........................................................................................ 460 Salmons, Bradford............................................................................... 552 Schmidt, Frank....................................................................................... 78 Schmidt, Ben.................................................................................386-393 Schmiedlin, Jim........................................................................... 183, 184 Shourds, Harry M..................................................................... 60, 61, 550 Shourds, Harry V. ................................................. 47, 66, 280, 492, 549A Shropshire, Fred................................................................................... 542 Southard, William........................................................................ 423, 426 Sterling, Lloyd.............................................................41, 168, 212E, 259 Sterling, Noah........................................................................................ 43 Stevens Brothers........................................................................ 17, 75, 84
Stevens Factory.................................................................................... 540 Stiles, William........................................................................................ 54 Strunk, George.....179-181, 263, 264, 266, 267, 271, 273, 560, 566, 568, 569 Thibodeau, Quemedius........................................................................ 225 Thompson, George............................................................................... 370 Townson, Harry...................................................................................... 72 Tully, Dhure and John.......................................................................... 404 Tyler, Lloyd.................................................................................... 42, 252 Tyler, Glenwood................................................................................... 591 Urie, Jess...................................................................................... 320, 509 Verdin, Lauren...................................................................... 139, 145, 146 Verity, Obediah............................................................................ 420, 427 Verity Family....................................................................................... 419 Vickers, John..................................................................................... 509A Vizier, Clovis.................................................................................... 144D Vizier, Jimmie...................................................................................... 149 Ward, Steve............................................................................................ 44 Ward, Lem............................................................................................ 330 Ward, David......................................................................................... 573 Ward, Zach........................................................................................... 577 Ward Brothers... 85-99, 246-250, 327-329, 331-334, 339, 340, 343, 344, 440-449, 516, 517 Watson, Dave “Umbrella”.................................... 373, 375, 408, 451, 461 Watts, Valentine................................................................................... 425 Wheeler. Shang.................................................... 349, 350, 352, 430, 528 Whipple Family................................................................................... 144 Whites, Bernie...................................................................................... 506 Wildfowler Decoy Factory...................................... 215, 220A-220D, 317 Wilson, Gus........................................... 356-359, 431, 432, 437-439, 531 Wozny, Eddie............................................................................ 212B, 360 York, Stites........................................................................................... 546 Young, John Scott........................................................................ 133, 134
Collection Planning Program
Enjoy Collecting Now and Plan Ahead With a forty year history, you can rely on the Guyette & Deeter decoy auction house as the most trusted decoy auction firm to handle your estate planning and collection management needs. Whether it’s for tax purposes, estate planning, gifting, charitable giving or insurance purposes, let us manage and periodically update a comprehensive written appraisal of your collection. Gary and Jon are available to work with banks, attorneys, trust and estate officers, probate court, private clients and family members who may be responsible for the dispersal of estates and collections. Let professionals document your collection with accurate values and descriptions. We will work closely with you to ensure that your wishes are established at agreed upon terms and conditions now, to make it easier to administer your estate later.
Please contact Gary or Jon to discuss our Collection Planning Program today.
With several options, we make it easy for you to reach us: Gary Guyette PO Box 1170 • St. Michaels MD 21663 (410) 745-0485 • (410) 745-0487 fax decoys@guyetteanddeeter.com Jon Deeter 7980 Darbys Run • Chagrin Falls OH 44023 (440) 610-1768 • (440) 543-1466 fax jdeeter@guyetteanddeeter.com For more information, visit our website: www.guyetteanddeeter.com
N O R T H
A M E R I C A N
Vintage Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show
THANK YOU for making this year’s show a success!
50th
Anniversary
2015
Make plans now for our 50th Anniversary next year. Planned events • • • •
Vintage Ohio decoy display State-specific spearing fish decoy display Marty Hanson carving exhibit Special 50th Anniversary Show surprises
Make your reservations now
Discover • Preserve • Celebrate
Pheasant Run Resort, St Charles, IL April 21–25, 2015, 800-474-3272 For more information go to midwestdecoy.org or call Jeff Seregny at 586-530-6586
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Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
Glimpse the beauty of wildfowl from around the world
Gallery Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: Noon-5 p.m. Members enjoy free admission 909 S. Schumaker Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804 410-742-4988
WARDMUSEUM.ORG
Ira Hudson Duck Family
The Museum features the world’s largest and finest public collection of decorative and antique decoys Join as a member, make a donation or plan a legacy gift today! Contact Executive Director Lora Bottinelli at 410-742-4988, Ext. 111
New Jersey Decoy Collectors Association 23rd Annual
Decoy, Art & Hunting Collectibles Show and Sale “Best Old Decoy Show in New Jersey”
Saturday, March 28, 2015
9:00 am to 4:00 pm Rain or Shine
HOLIDAY INN - Manahawkin 151 Route 72 East Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Featured Carver:
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Artifac Display by:
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Directions:
Exit 63 Garden State Pkwy, to Route 72 East - Inn on right 1.5 miles, next to Home Depot.
Food & Drink by:
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Call Inn:
609-481-6100 Mention Show for Room Rate
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The largest 1 day show in the country
Feb. 8, 2015 Join us at
HENRY HIGH SCHOOL 1023 College St., Henry, IL 61537
HenryDecoyShow.com TerraIncognitaUSA.com **TABLES VERY LIMITED** For more info contact:
JASON BALDWIN 312-316-7484 jasbebelle@comcast.net
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MARYLAND WATERFRONT WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF MAGNIFICENT WESTERLY SUNSETS
CUSTOM BUILT 5 BR, 2.5BA, W/OPEN FLOOR PLAN, GOURMET KIITCHEN; CORIAN COUNTERS; CENTER ISLAND; FIRST FLOOR MBR SUITE W/ TRAY CEILING; WOOD AND CERIMIC FLOORING; WRAP AROUND PORCH, PIER W/ ELECTRIC & 10,000 LB BOAT AND JET SKI LIFT, OVER SIZED 2- CAR GARAGE, HEATED WORK SHOP. PROTECTED SHORELINE-300 FEET WATER FRONTAGE ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY; LOW MAINTENANCE HOME; PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED. Listing for $689,000. Contact Debbie Allen 609-709-5960
CONDITIONS OF SALE ‑- PLEASE READ 1.
GUARANTEE ‑ We have made a consistent effort in correctly cataloging and describing all items to be sold. The decoy catalog descriptions are guaranteed for authenticity and condition. All other items sold “AS IS” Should the need arise, the auctioneer reserves the right to make verbal corrections and provide additional information from the block, at the time of the sale. Absentee bids will not be executed on items that are found to be other than described in the catalog. Since opinions can differ, particularly in the matter of condition, the auctioneer will be sole judge in the matter of refunds. 2. DURATION OF GUARANTEE ‑ Request for refund for items purchased IN PERSON at the auction must be made within 3 days of the sale. If you are an absentee or phone bidder it is your responsibility to examine the lot immediately upon receipt. On items purchased in absentee, the guarantee will end 3 days from the time of delivery. Therefore, all guarantees on items purchased will become null and void 7 calendar days from the date of shipment. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IF YOU PAY LATE, YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GUARANTEE. Payment must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the auction. 3. PROTESTED BIDS‑ In case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer is the sole determinant as to whom the successful bidder is, and at his discretion, may reoffer and resell the article in dispute. If a dispute arises after the sale, the auctioneer as sales records shall be conclusive as to whom the purchaser was, and the purchase price. 4. BIDDING- Bidding usually starts below the low estimate and advances in increments of approximately 10% of the opening bid subject to the auctioneer’s discretion. The auctioneer reserves the right, at his sole discretion, to refuse any bids that he deems unreasonable. The minimum bid increment guideline is as follows: $500 to $1000 - $25 $10,000 to $20,000 - $500 $100,000 and above - $2000 $1000 to $10,000 - $100 $20,000 to $100,000 - $1000 5. ABSENTEE BIDS‑ Phone or mail bids, at the discretion of the Auctioneer, will be accepted with a 20% deposit. In such case the bookkeeper will execute such bids competitively. Absentee bids are executed by the bookkeeper on behalf of the bidder in accordance with the bid increment policy shown above. Please review the rules governing both absentee and phone bids in the back of the catalog. 6. TERMS‑ All items are to be paid for in U.S. funds at the day of the auction. No items will be released until they are paid for. Those who have not established an account with us and wish to pay by check, must do so prior to the beginning of the auction, by presenting a current letter of reference from their bank, or by providing references, that are suitable to the Auctioneer. The Auctioneer reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check, until the check has cleared the bank. Phone and absentee bidders ‑ You will be notified one week after the auction of your bids/results. PAYMENT IS DUE UPON RECEIPT. A late charge will be accessed on all balances not paid, at the rate of 12% A.P.R. commencing 30 days after the auction. If any accounts become more than 60 days overdue, the consignor will be given the name of the buyer who is responsible for holding up their funds. Guyette & Deeter will not carry insurance on items that are not paid for within 30 days of the auction. Also, the auctioneer may retain and/or recover the deposit specified as liquidated damages. In addition, the property can be resold at public or private sale without further notice. Any deficiency resulting from such resale shall be paid to the auctioneer by the defaulting buyer, together with all charges, fees, and expenses incurred by such resale, or the enforcement of the obligation hereunder. Buyer agrees to pay all charges and expenses incurred by reason of any breach of the Terms and Conditions of sale, including without limitation, reasonable attorney fees. 7. RESERVES ‑ A very small percentage of the decoys in this auction carry reserves. A reserve is a confidential minimum price established between the auctioneer and the consignor. The reserve will not exceed the low estimate printed in the catalog, and is usually much less. Reserves are executed by the bookkeeper on behalf of the consignor. 8. PAYMENT FOR PURCHASES MAY BE MADE WITH VISA , MASTERCARD, CASH OR CHECK. 9. BUYERS PREMIUM- The buyer’s premium, assessed on each selling lot, is 15% of the hammer price up to and including $1,000,000, plus 10% on any amount in excess of $1,000,000. For payments made using Visa or MasterCard, the buyer’s premium is 18% up to and including $1,000,000, plus 13% on any amount in excess of $1,000,000. 10. TAX ‑ THERE IS A 6% SALES TAX IN MARYLAND. Tax is waived if buyer presents a valid resale certificate from any state or has purchases shipped out of Maryland. 11. ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS ‑ Bidding on any articles in this catalog indicates your acceptance of all the above items. 12. BIDDING AGENT RESPONSIBILITY ‑ If you are registering for someone or if you execute a bid for someone else under your number, you are responsible for the settlement of that account. You are also responsible for examining the decoy(s) for your client regarding the guarantee. 13. WITHDRAWAL ‑ We reserve the right to withdraw any property before the sale and shall have no liability whatsoever for such withdrawal. 14. TITLE ‑ Title passes upon the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer. It will then be the responsibility of the buyer to make full payment prior to removing the goods from the premises. Removal is at both the buyer’s risk and expense, and must be made at the conclusion of the sale, unless other arrangements are made with the Guyette & Schmidt staff. Any lots we might make arrangements for moving or storing are solely at the risk of the owner, and any damage or loss occurring after the fall of the hammer becomes that of the buyer. 15. LEGAL DISPUTE ‑ Any legal disputes arising from this auction shall be settled in the court system of the State of Maine. UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE - The Maine Uniform Commercial Code, Title II, Section 2328 applies to this auction. THE OFFICE WILL NOT BE OPEN UNTIL WEDNESDAY AFTER THE AUCTION.
ABSENTEE AND PHONE BIDS 1. Absentee bids are a service provided to our customers free of charge. Every effort is made to execute all absentee bids, however, in the event of an error of omission, or failure to properly execute absentee bids, the Auctioneer shall not be held liable. 2. All absentee bids must be accompanied by a 20% deposit, which will be refunded immediately after the auction if your bid is unsuccessful. If your bid is successful, the deposit will be applied to the purchase price and the balance due upon presentation of your bill. All absentee bidders are notified by mail, whether succesful or unsuccesful. 3. Visa and Mastercard numbers can be given in place of a check deposit, if your bid is submitted by phone. Your card number will not be used to make payments for purchases, it is only used as collateral. Your card number will only be used to make payment for purchases if you default on payment. 4. To execute an absentee bid, fill out the enclosed form, listing catalog number, description and your top bid price (not including the 15% buyer’s premium). Send this together with your deposit as soon as possible. If your bids are sent seven days or less prior to the auction, you should call our office three days prior to the auction, to confirm that we have received your bids. If they have not been received at that point in time, we will take your bid over the phone. We cannot guarantee that bids received after the auction has started will be executed. 5. If two or more bids are received on the same item from different people, the bidding will open at the next logical raise above the second highest bid. If two absentee bids are received with the exact same amount, the first one received will take precedence. 6. All bids must be in even dollar amounts. Bids in fractions of dollars will be considered the next lower even dollar amount. 7. Bid increments: The bid increment policy, which also applies to both absentee and phone bidders is listed under “CONDITIONS OF SALE” (item #4), in the front of the catalog. 8. Open bids, bids with no set top amount, or orders to just simply buy the lot, cannot be accepted. You must have a definite top limit before we can execute your bid. Alternatives to this are as follows: a. To bid over the telephone. This can be done by simply sending a 20% deposit for what you wish to bid on the object. This will bind whatever bid amount you wish to bid over the telephone. (NOTE: There are only 7 phone lines into the auction room and phone bids will be handled on a first come, first served basis.) b. Some bidders concerned that a lot might just go for one bid above their top limit, leave a top bid plus one bid. This works as follows: the top bid submitted might be $1000, but not wishing to lose the lot for simply $25 more, the party might bid $1000 + 1 bid if they definitely don’t want to go over a certain price, they would indicate $1000 +1 ($1,025) (NOTE: One possible problem that occasionally arises with absentee bids is when someone in the audience bids exactly the amount, which you specify is your limit. In such a case, we would not go one extra bid unless your bid sheet indicates plus one bid.). 9. If you are a successful bidder, a bill will be sent one week after the auction. Purchasers should indicate their desired method of shipment, if such is necessary. There is a charge for shipping, labor, materials, and insurance. Shipping is done on a first come, first served basis, and can take up to 4 weeks. Please note that a certified check, Visa, Mastercard, or any other form of guaranteed funds will expedite shipping. 10. All purchases are shipped COD to the address on your invoice, or as otherwise instructed, approximately 10 days after payment has cleared. In place of COD, you can call the office with your credit card number to pay shipping & handling charges, or to make other arrangements. Items not shipped COD will be shipped with a Signature Required unless otherwise specified. According to UPS regulations, we must now crate all paintings. In addition, for expensive oil paintings and delicate carvings, we need a written statement from the purchaser, assuming the responsibility of pursuing any claims, in the event of damage incurred during shipping. Valuable lots need to be sent 2nd day air UPS due to values. Under no circumstances will we be liable for damage to glass or frames, or fragile decoratives, regardless of cause. 11. TERMS — Phone and absentee bidders — You will be notified one week after the auction of your results. Payment is due upon receipt. Interest will be charged on all balances not paid within 30 days after the bill is sent at the rate of 12% APR. If any accounts become more than 60 days overdue, the consignor will be given the name of the buyer who is responsible for holding up their funds. If an account is 75 days overdue, the items may be returned to the consignor and overdue buyer will pay the buyers premium and commission from the sale, if they wish to participate in future Guyette, Schmidt & Deeter auctions. 12. Bidding on any article(s) indicates your acceptance of these terms above. If you have any questions concerning absentee bids, please call us.
OFFICE:
ABSENTEE AND PHONE BID FORM
PO Box 1170 St. Michaels, MD 21663 410-745-0485 Fax 410-745-0487 decoys@guyetteandschmidt.com
OFFICE USE ONLY TIME DATE OF BID AUCTION DATE MANAGER ABSENTEE OR PHONE BID
NAME ADDRESS CITY
STATE
ZIP
TELEPHONE DEPOSIT $
(Check Amount or Visa or MasterCard # & Exp.)
IIdesire following items in the sale.sale. The The bids bids are toare be to executed by Guyette & Deeter, up to but desiretotobid bidononthe the following items in the executed by Guyette & Schmidt, Inc.,not upexceeding to but notthe amount(s) on the below bids.on Allthe bidsbelow will be executed and will accepted subject to theaccepted Terms ofsubject Sale andtoAbsentee Bids exceedingspecified the amount(s) specified bids. All bids be executed and the Terms of Procedure outlined inBids the catalog. (Please be sure you understand before using thisour Absentee and Phone Sale and Absentee Procedure outlined in that the catalog. (Pleaseour be procedures sure that you understand procedures before Bid Form.) will not open Bid untilForm.) Wednesday using this Office Absentee andbe Phone Officeafter willthe notauction. be open until Wednesday after the auction.
Signature A PREMIUM OF 15% WILL BE APPLIED TO ALL ITEMS SOLD, TO BE PAID BY THE BUYER OFFICE USE
IN CATALOG # ORDER
DESCRIPTION
A SECOND PAGE IS PROVIDED ON BACK SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SPACE TOTAL BIDS $
x 20%
EQUALS DEPOSIT ENCLOSED $
BID AMOUNT
Page 2
NAME OFFICE USE
PHONE IN CATALOG # ORDER
AUCTION DATE DESCRIPTION
BID AMOUNT
427
168
30
Guyette & Deeter
PO Box 1170, St. Michaels, MD 21663 410-745-0485 | www.guyetteanddeeter.com