Guyette & Deeter, Inc. North American Decoys At Auction April 21 & 22, 2016
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Guyette & Deeter, Inc.
North American Decoys At Auction Pheasant Run Resort 4051 East Main Street St. Charles, Illinois 630-584-6300 Held in conjunction with the Midwest Decoy Collectors Association Show
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Preview 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Join us for complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
Thursday, April 21, 2016 Preview 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM Auction 11:00 AM
Friday, April 22, 2016 Preview 8:00 AM - 9:45 AM Auction 10:00 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 five business days after the auction. Official prices realized list will be available online approximately two 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 is required, these items are marked *. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for damage to glass, frames, or fragile decoratives, regardless of the cause. ■ Auctioneer James D. Julia, Fairfield, Maine. ■ Stands are not included with the decoys or weather vanes unless specified in catalog. Plexiglass cases are not included with shotgun shell boxes. ■ Sales Tax - There is an 8% sales tax on purchases over $200 unless you have a Sales and Use Tax License* (from any state) or have your purchases shipped outside of Illinois. If you are exempt, please have a copy of your certificate with you. You will be required to sign an Illinois sales and Use affidavit for us to keep on file. ■ Reserve a room at a discounted rate of $119 by calling the Pheasant Run Resort at 800-474-3272 and mention the Guyette & Deeter room block. ■ All duck calls have condition reports, but are sold “As Is”. ■ Trade Up Program - A limited numer 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, INC. DECOY AUCTIONS July 26 & 27, 2016
Sheraton Harborside Hotel Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Consignments accepted until June 8, or until full 50 Dealer buy, Sell, swap. *NO SALES TAX
November 9 & 10, 2016
Talbot County Community Center Easton, Maryland
In Conjunction with the Easton Waterfowl Festival Featuring the collection of Sam Dyke 50 Dealer buy, Sell, swap. 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 Darbys Run Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Tel: 440-543-1416 Cell: 440-610-1768 Fax: 440-543-5405 jdeeter@guyetteanddeeter.com
Zac Cote 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
Barbara Hunter
Bookkeeper St. Michaels, Maryland Tel: 410-745-0485 billing@guyetteanddeeter.com
Featuring Decoys From The Collections Of: Joe French Jim Gilford Dr. Claude Godwin Paul Tudor Jones II Roger Mallar
Doug & Ellen Miller Diane Orgeron Maunsel & Ann Pearce John Tice
Maunsel and Ann Pierce began purchasing decoys in 1979 during a trip to Hyannis where they attended the Richard Bourne decoy auction and shopped for decoys at the Craigville Motel. They became seriously interested in Mason Factory Decoys in the early 1980s and met Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid at that time. Many of the best decoys have been in their collection for 25-30 years and are pictured in the first edition of Russ and Alan’s book, “Mason Decoys.”
Barbara Neely Gilford began collecting waterfowl decoys about 1967 and soon developed a preference for working decoys, especially shorebirds. Over time, through correspondence, trading and direct purchases she assembled a modest collection of decoys. She traveled the East Coast of the United States on business with her husband Jim, and searched for decoys while he was at appointments. During this time she met and acquired decoys from Bill Mackey and Adele Earnest. The effort to determine with certainty the geographic origin of each decoy and the identity of its carver was a scholarly challenge and, for her, an exhilarating experience.
Long time friends of the Brunets and most other Louisiana carvers of the era, Gene and Diane Orgeron traveled from Louisiana with the Brunets to help with the logistics of setting up and manning their booths at various decoy shows around the United States. They purchased the decoys in this auction directly from Tan, Jett and Jude Brunet, and Jimmie Vizier
Joe French began collecting decoys in the early 1950s sparked by his very first acquisition in 1954, a pair of old squaw by Mark English as a gift from William Mackey. Right up until just a few days prior to his death in May of 2009 he remained actively involved in collecting, writing articles, and communicating with other collectors about this, his life long passion. During his collecting career, Joe rubbed shoulders with some of the most noted early decoy collectors, authors, artists, and makers. Included among these early names were the likes of Charles Perdew of Henry, Illinois, Bob Weeks of Bureau, Illinois, George Ross Starr, noted collector and author of “Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway,” Hal Sorenson, editor “Decoy Collector’s Guide,” Adele Earnest, early folk art collector and author of “The Art of the Decoy,” Milt Weiler artist and creator of the “Classic Decoys and Shorebird Decoys” series, famous early collector William Mackey author “American Bird Decoys,” Walter Bush early carver of New Jersey, and Thomas Marshall of Connecticut to mention but a few. Like many of the early decoy collectors, Joe French’s love of duck hunting led to his decoy collecting hobby. Most of Joe’s hunting was done over flooded millet and corn fields near St. Louis in St. Charles County, Missouri. At that time, the decoys of choice for the local hunters were of paper fibre produced by the Airduks Decoy Factory in St. Louis. Wishing to improve on these decoys, which over time would deteriorate, Joe considered producing his own rig. As luck would have it, a man named Bill Hager lent him a copy of Joel Barber’s book, “Wildfowl Decoys.” It was here where Joe first saw photos of Shang Wheeler’s decoys. As a result of seeing the finely carved decoys of this famous maker, Joe decided he would carve a rig of wooden decoys for himself patterned after Wheeler’s birds. If only he could get his hands on one of Wheeler’s decoys.
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Guyette & Deeter Online Auctions
Week ly O nl i n e Au ct i on s E n d i n g Ever y T h u r s d ay N i ght G u ar a nt e e d d e s c r i p t i on s, m u l t i p l e p h o to s , q u i ck s h i p p i ng , g re a t d e a l s on q u a l i t y ite ms Canvasback by Evans Decoy Factory. Sold for $1322.50
Mallard by Life Like Lures. Sold for $1667.50
Lowhead mallard by Robert ‘Turk’ Libensperger. Sold for $1014.30
Swimming shoveler by Keith Mueller. Sold for $1782.50
For questions, contact: 410-253-8616 | zcote@guyetteanddeeter.com | PO Box 159, Freeport, Maine 04032 | www.decoysforsale.com
Session One
Mason Decoy Factory 1-14 New Jersey 15-24 Illinois River 25-40 North Carolina 41-47 D.W. Nichol 48-57 Pacific Coast 58-63 Miniatures 64-68 Ontario 69-80 Maryland 81-100 Artwork 101-114 Michigan 115-139 Illinois River 40-156 Mason Shorebirds 157-165 Fish 166-188D Contemporary 188E-188H Mason Decoy Factory 189-207 Shorebirds 208-214 Artwork 215-242 Factory 243-260 Jim Schmiedlin 260A-265 Hurley Conklin 266-278 Artwork 279-289B Ontario 290-310 Bronzes 311-316A New York 317-329B Fish 330-343 Illinois River 343A-360 Contemporary 361-377
Session Two
Decoratives 378-395 New England 396-402 Wisconsin 403-412 Illinois River 413-419 New England 420-440 Mason Decoy Factory 441-450 Shorebirds 451-461 Canada 462-473 Louisiana 474-478 Duck Calls 479-495 Related Items 495A-511 Midwest 512-520 Decoratives 521-535 Ammunition Ads 536-553 Virginia 554-564 Maryland 565-579 Factory 580-600 Cigar Daisey 600A-600E Midwest 600F-615 Canada 617-631
Thursday, April 21, 2016 11:00 AM Lots 1 - 377
Friday, April 22, 2016 10:00 AM Lots 378 - 631
Please read conditions of sale in the back of catalog
SESSION ONE
Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 11:00 am
Mason Decoy Factory 1896 - 1924 Detroit, Michigan
“The Largest Manufacturers of High Grade Decoys in the World!”
Mason price list circa 1910
Founded by William J. Mason, an Irish immigrant who settled with his family in Detroit, Michigan around 1855. Mason quickly earned a reputation as an avid sportsman. In 1872, he was listed as a clerk at the John E. Long Sporting Goods Company in Detroit. By 1882, the business was listed as the William J. Mason Company, whose focus was still on sporting goods, but that soon changed. Advertising from this period states that the Mason Decoy Factory was established in 1889. The company operated for 35 years, finally closing the doors in 1924. William J. passed away in 1905 after a battle with pneumonia, but the company did not miss a beat. Son, Herbert, had been managing the shop for a number of years and had a better grasp of the business side of operations. Herbert’s first mark on the business came with the expansion of styles. Until about 1905, the company had only offered “challenge” and “premier” grade decoys. Herbert expanded the offerings for mass appeal by creating the less expensive standard grade line of, glass eye, tack eye and paint eye models. Business prospered over the next 20 years but remained seasonal. The idle time left Herbert exploring his growing interest in paint, with which he had become quite familiar in the decoys business. As competitors continued to undercut Mason prices, with lower priced and lower quality decoys, Herbert placed more of his attention on the paint business, eventually setting up a separate company, the Rinshed-Mason Company. They soon became the largest supplier of paint to the growing automotive industry. Today the business survives under the name, BASF.
Expansion of Mason models when Herbert took over the business
It’s hard to imagine how proud William and Herbert would be if they were sitting in the audience of a decoy auction today. One would think they would be grinning from ear to ear knowing that they had created a company that many consider the “gold standard” for decoy collectors across the country.
Mason Factory on Milford St. Detroit, Michigan, circa 1915
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Exceptional pintail drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905. Premier grade with well shaped tail. Original paint with very slight wear; tight crack at neck seam.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. April 1994 auction, lot 4. (12,500 - 17,500)
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Important rigmate pair of bluewing teal, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1910. Premier grade “double blue” model. Outstanding form with snakey head style. Near mint original paint with good patina; drake has a few very small dents as well as a very slight rough area on edge of tip of bill; both retain Mason Factory weights.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. Dick Clark.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 56 top, exact pair pictured. (20,000 - 30,000)
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Very rare bufflehead drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Branded “MR Ringman”. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; several tiny dents; hairline crack in one side of neck filler.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Formerly in collection of Harold Evans. Small “E” stamp in underside.
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Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 78 and p. 123 top, exact decoy pictured. (2,500 - 3,500)
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Bluewing teal hen and drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with painted eyes. Original paint with very minor wear; each has a crack in underside and professionally replaced neck filler.
Provenance: Pearce collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 59, drake pictured. (2,500 - 3,500) 5.
Widgeon drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Very rare standard grade with tack eyes. Near mint original paint; a few small dents; approximately 1/4 of neck filler has been replaced with touchup in that area.
Provenance: Pearce collection. (2,500 - 3,500)
6. Bluewing teal hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Original paint with very slight wear; small crack at knot in back; short hairline crack on other side of back; professional touchup to a couple of chips missing from the neck filler.
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Provenance: Pearce collection. (1,500 - 2,000)
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Very rare rigmate pair of widgeon, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Original paint with slight discoloration and wear; thin crack in underside of drake; crack in and small chip missing from drake’s neck filler; small chip missing from one side of hen’s neck filler; two small cracks in side.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 70 top, exact decoys pictured. (4,000 - 6,000)
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Very rare rigmate pair of greenwing teal, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Near mint original paint; hen has professional repairs to a couple of chips missing from the neck filler.
Provenance: Pearce collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 61, exact decoys. (3,000 - 5,000)
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Herbert Mason
This decoy has been consigned by the family of Herbert W. Mason, Jr., the son of Herbert W. Mason and grandson of William J. Mason, the founder of the Mason Decoy Factory in Detroit, Michigan. Herbert Jr.’s interest in family history and, specifically, decoy collecting came naturally. He loved to hunt and fish whenever time allowed. He also began collecting decoys sometime in the 1940s. It is not known exactly where he obtained this rare, and possibly one of a kind, example, but it’s hard to imagine that it was ever outside of the family.
Herbert W. Mason Sr left and Herbert W. Mason Jr photographed in 1955.
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Exceedingly rare wood duck hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1910. Premier grade. Made originally with challenge grade body. Near mint original paint protected by an old coat of varnish that has darkened with age; structurally good.
Provenance: From the estate of Herbert Mason who kept this in his office for many years. Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 86, drake made with challenge grade body. (35,000 - 45,000)
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10. Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Branded “FJF” in the undersides. Original paint with minor wear; each has hairline crack in the back; drake has a small crack in the bill, a few puppy chews, and a tiny chip missing from underside of bill; drake also has hairline crack in one eye and small shot scar in top of head; drake has had professional repair to small chip in the neck filler with touchup in that area.
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Provenance: Pearce collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 49, drake pictured. (3,500 - 5,500)
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Rare hollow carved canvasback hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Near mint original paint; small dent in one side of bill; professional repair to a couple of very small chips in the neck filler with touchup to the filled chips only.
Provenance: Pearce collection. (3,000 - 4,000)
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Rare hollow carved canvasback drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with good patina; very minor wear; a few small dents. (3,500 - 5,500)
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Bluewing teal hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Extremely rare premier grade slope breasted model, circa 1890s. Original paint with minor cracking and wear, mostly on center of back; a few small dents; bill has been blunted very slightly. (6,000 - 9,000)
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Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade Seneca Lake models. From the Gavitt rig. Both are branded “SB Gavitt”. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; hen has a crack in the underside; drake has very minor roughness on top of head.
Provenance: Pearce collection.
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New Jersey Rowley Horner
1881 - 1942 West Creek, New Jersey
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Classic brant, Rowley Horner, West Creek, New Jersey, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; numerous marks on sides and lower sides from when decoy was stacked after being painted; structurally good.
Literature: “Classic New Jersey Decoys,” James Doherty, p. 96. (10,000 - 14,000)
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Rare merganser drake, Rowley Horner, West Creek, New Jersey, circa 1930. With original paint by Chris Sprague, Beach Haven, New Jersey. Excellent original paint with slight wear; structurally excellent.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of John Hillman, Seagirt, New Jersey. Hillman collection stamp on underside.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mid Atlantic Region,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 25, exact decoy. “Decoys of the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley,” Ken Gosner, p. 154, exact decoy. “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 199, exact decoy pictured. (8,000 - 10,000)
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Hollow carved black duck attributed to R.W. Davids, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with scratch feather paint detail; crack in back; tiny dents. (1,200 - 1,500) Blair school mallard drake, last quarter 19th century, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hollow with pegged construction. Branded “J Chandler Roach”. Paint was restored in its original style a long time ago; small cracks and dents.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
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Philadelphia school black duck, last quarter 19th century. A mixture of old paint and old in use repaint; small dents and shot marks. (650 - 950)
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Large mallard hen, Charles Allen, Bordentown, New
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Jersey. Allen’s name is embossed in the weight. Raised “V” wingtip carving and fluted tail. Very good and original. (600 - 900) 21. Pair of hollow carved mallards, Nick Sachi, Bordentown, New Jersey. Raised carved wingtips and slightly turned heads. Keels are missing otherwise very good and original. Provenance: Mallar collection. Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight. (500 - 800) 22.
Black duck, John Marinkos, Florence, New Jersey, circa 1950s. Raised “V” wing carving. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents.
Literature: “New Jersey Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. (350 - 450)
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Well painted black duck, Dan English, Florence, New Jersey. Nestle headed style with raised “V” wing carving, fluted and notched tail. Extra fine feather paint detail. Near mint original paint; several tiny dents. Literature: “Floating Sculpture,” Harrison Huster and Doug Knight. “Working Decoys of the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley,” Ken Gosner, p. 95. The Hillman Collection Sales catalog, April 1996, Guyette & Schmidt, lot 405, rigmate. (7,000 - 9,000) 24.
Back preening Canada goose, thought to be from the Delaware River and more recently associated with the carver T. Gray. Hollow carved with unusual weight, similar to those on the famous Susquehanna slot neck geese. An elegant pose where the goose head reaches more than halfway back and is elevated above the body. Written in pencil on underside “Painted by AE Crowell of Cape Cod.” Appears to be an early second coat by Crowell; bill has paint strenghtening to cover small area of rubs near tip.
Literature: “T. GRAY’S Migrant Goose Decoys,” Gene and Linda Kangas, Decoy Magazine, July/August 2011, cover story, exact decoy. (5,500 - 7,500)
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Illinois River Charles Perdew 1974 - 1963 Henry, Illinois
The Perdew display at the Ward Museum with the exact decoys being sold in this auction.
Joe French will always be remembered as one of the greatest “first generation” decoy collectors. His successful career as Executive Vice President of Steelcote Manufacturing Co. allowed Joe the flexibility to combine work travel with decoy adventures, starting in the 1950s. While Joe had a broad interest in all decoys, those from the Illinois River area and, specifically, the decoys made by Charles Perdew, were his favorite. In 2007, prior to his death, Joe approached the Ward Museum in Salisbury, Maryland and asked them to display his favorite Charles Perdew decoys for an unspecified amount of time. The photo above shows the display that stood for almost eight years at the museum. Upon Joe’s passing in 2009, Guyette & Schmidt offered “The Joe French Collection” in April of the following year. The decoys being offered in this sale are the last of this great assembly.
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Very rare rigmate pair of teal, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa 1950. Hen has slightly turned head. Original paint with very slight wear; professional touch up to spots on one side of hen’s neck and breast; weights are missing.
Provenance: Joe French collection. “JF” stamp in underside as well as the number “288”. French purchased them directly from Perdew in 1955.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid, p. 82.
(9,000 - 12,000)
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Each state or region in North America where decoys were produced in significant numbers, had its icons that were recognized far and wide as the best at their trade. Illinois was no exception. The Illinois River region produced many carvers who produced extremely well made decoys. Two, however, have come to be recognized as iconic representatives of that region. They are Robert Elliston (1848-1915) and Charles Perdew, (1874-1963). Charles Perdew was born in 1874 in Oxbow Prairie, Putnam County, Illinois just northeast of the town of Henry. Charles was the youngest of 11 children born to Moses and Nancy Perdew. Moses and Nancy, like many early pioneers, traveled from the East to settle in Illinois. They settled near Henry purchasing a farm just across the river around 1869. Charlie was born five years later, and spent the first 15 years of his life on the family farm. It was on Saw Mill Lake, lying along the banks of the Illinois River, that Charlie made and hunted over what was likely his first rig of decoys.
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It was in this area that Charlie shot ducks for the market, and shipped them to Chicago. He iced the day’s shoot down and carried it to the depot in Henry, where the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad transported the birds to Chicago the same day.
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Outstanding canvasback drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Made in 1918 to be used at the Senachwine Hunting Club. Original paint with fine combing detail and very slight wear.
Provenance: Joe French collection. French stamp on underside with inventory number, “157”. French bought the drake and the hen from Frank Cotton Echard, the club caretaker, on June 24, 1955. Literature: “Decoy Collectors Guide,” 1964 issue, exact decoys. “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis, p. 281, exact decoys. “Charles Perdew,” Ann Tandy Lacy, pp. 158 and 159, exact decoys. (17,500 - 22,500) 24
In 1889, Charlie left the farm and traveled to Chicago. There he was employed in a meat packing plant, and also as a carpenter working on the construction of the Chicago World’s Fair, the Columbia Exposition of 1893-94. At the end of 1895, Charlie left Chicago and returned to his family’s farm along the Illinois River.
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Charlie was self-employed at several occupations, which included woodworker, specializing in furniture repair and upholstery. He ran a bicycle livery and repair shop in Henry. Sometime around 1898, he established his decoy and call making business. In 1900, Charlie took a position as advertising agent for the Peters Cartridge Company of Cincinnati. In 1902, Charlie married Edna Haddon, a native of Henry. Edna and Charlie spent the rest of their lives in Henry where the decoy and call business flourished. In the early years, Edna painted the decoys, and it is those decoys painted by her that are most sought after by collectors today. Charlie’s calls and decoys were marketed and sold through numerous stores throughout the Midwest, including Portman’s Sporting Goods in Peoria, and the largest sporting goods in the Midwest, Chicago’s Von Lengerke and Antoine (V L & A). 1Perdew
An Illinois River Tradition, Lacy, copyright 1993, David A. Galliher publisher . 2Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes, Donna Tonelli, copyright 2002 by Donna Tonelli, Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
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Outstanding canvasback hen, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Made in 1918 to be used at the Senachwine Hunting Club. Original paint with fine combing detail and very slight wear; weight is missing.
Provenance: Joe French collection. French stamp with inventory number “157”. French bought the hen and the drake from Frank Cotton Echard, the club caretaker, on June 24, 1955.
Literature: “Decoy Collectors Guide,” 1964 issue, exact decoys. “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis, p. 281, exact decoys. “Charles Perdew,” Ann Tandy Lacy, pp. 158 and 159, exact decoys. (17,500 - 22,500) 25
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Very rare rigmate pair of bluewing teal, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. “ L T ” carved in underside of each, for Leon Buster Thompson, Henry, Illinois. He owned Thompson/Senachewine Day Shooting Club. He also managed and owned Thompson’s fisheries, which at the time was the largest commercial fishery in the Midwest. Both are a mixture of original paint and old in use repaint; minor wear; small dents and shot marks.
Provenance: Joe French collection.
Literature: “Charles Perdew,” Ann Tandy Lacy, pp. 92 and 93, exact decoys. (6,500 - 9,500) 26
29 In the late 1930s, Shang Wheeler and Heck Whittington had become pals through letter correspondence. Wheeler’s recognition from winning decoy making contests had made him quite famous in the carving world, and Whittington was so impressed that he asked for patterns of his work. These two decoys, as well as the mallard hen being offered in Lot 37, were part of a rig of 36 mallards and pintails that Whittington made for his own personal use. They can be identified by the style as well as the names on the underside. The names represent friends and relatives of Whittington.
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Very rare ring neck drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, 3rd quarter 20th century. Made for the Robert and Eddison Gaylord Hunting Club, Henry, Illinois. The Gaylords ordered four drakes and two hens from Perdew in 1948. Bears Joe French’s stamp “356” on underside. Near mint original paint; weight is missing; thin crack through each eye.
Provenance: Joe French collection.
(5,000 - 7,000)
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Excellent pair of mallards, Heck Whittington, Oglesby, Illinois, 1946. Both are oversized and in rare swimming pose. Both are made from patterns sent to him by Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. Drake has fine comb painting and metal tail sprig. “Robert” is carved in the underside of the drake, and “Sylvia” in the underside of the hen. Both are signed and dated by Whittington. Original paint with a few small paint flakes missing from the drake and a few more missing from the hen. (8,000 - 12,000) 27
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Very rare canvasback hen, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with moderate wear on much of the decoy; old overpaint was taken off of lower half; old overpaint remains on bill; small rough area on one side of bill; weight is missing. (1,500 - 2,000) Rare mallard drake, Henry Ruggles, Henry, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Branded “LDE” in back. Original paint with moderate wear; old touchup to black at tail short hairline cracks in tail; small bill chip repair.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
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Rigmate pair of mallards, Tube Dawson, Putnam, Illinois. Excellent wide body examples. Both have “GFB” painted on underside. Both have had weights removed. Well executed painting. Original paint protected by a light coat of varnish; drake has crack through neck; hen has rough area from underside of tail to front of breast. (1,500 - 1,800)
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Hollow carved black duck, Ed Keller, Bartonville, Illinois. “EK” painted on underside. Very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750)
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Greenwing teal drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois last quarter 19th century. Branded “WH” in underside. Paint has been restored in the Elliston style by Cameron McIntyre; minor wear. (1,250 - 1,750)
36. Pair of mallards, Mario Pioletti, Spring Valley, Illinois. Near mint second coat of paint by Pioletti; hairline crack partway through drake’s bill; small shot scar on hen’s bill.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
Literature: “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis. (1,250 - 1,750)
37.
Oversize mallard hen carved from a Shang Wheeler pattern, Heck Whittington, Oglesby, Illinois. Slightly turned head. Signed and dated 1946. “Irene” is painted on the underside. Original paint with very slight alligatoring and wear; structurally good.
Provenance: From Whittington’s personal hunting rig. (3,000 - 5,000)
37
38. Mallard drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Original paint that has darkened with age; old in use repaint on the head; old discolored varnish on lower sides; a few tiny dents and shot marks. (2,000 - 3,000)
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39.
Very rare mallard drake, Doug Mosely, Princeton, Illinois, circa 1880s. “DM” is painted on the underside. Fine feather comb paint detail and slightly turned head. Near mint original paint; structurally excellent.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid, p. 168. (2,000 - 3,000)
39 40. Redhead drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, circa 1880s. Original paint with minor to moderate discoloration and wear; hit by shot on one side; hairline crack in back. (2,000 - 2,500)
40 29
North Carolina 41. Rigmate pair of pintails, Ned Burgess, Churches Island, North Carolina. Worn original paint; crack through each neck.
Literature: “Gunnin’ Birds,” Kroghie Andresen. (3,000 - 4,000)
42.
Very rare swan decoy by a member of the Midget Family, Mashoes, North Carolina, last quarter 19th century. Inlet head. Somewhat flat sided. Worn old paint; head and neck are flat sided; inserted bill is a professional replacement by Frank Finney. (2,500 - 3,500)
43.
Ruddy duck, Walter Beasley, Knotts Island, North Carolina. Old in use repaint; small cracks; wear to tail. (1,500 - 2,000)
44.
Grey coot, Ned Burgess, Churches Island, North Carolina. Used at the Currituck Shooting Club and Narrows Island club. Original paint with very slight wear; eyes appear to have been added at a later date. (1,000 - 1,400)
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44 30
45
46
46 Detail
45 Detail
45.
Large pintail drake, Mitchell Fulcher, Stacey, North Carolina, last quarter 19th century. Body is not typical of Fulcher’s work and is probably a Fulcher head on an older decoy body that was recarved and repainted by him. Two cracks in body. Literature: “Gunnin’ Birds,” Kroghie Andresen. (4,000 - 5,000)
46.
Redhead drake, Alvirah Wright, Duck, North Carolina, last quarter 19th century. Paint has been professionally strengthened on most of the decoy; numerous small cracks.
Literature: “Gunnin’ Birds,” Kroghie Andresen. (4,000 - 5,000)
31
Lee Dudley
1860 - 1942 Knott’s Island, North Carolina
“Dudley’s output of solid bodied decoys, made solely for use by him and his twin, is, indeed, of singular perfection: The birds are among the most beautiful sculpted ever made. They are deceptively simple with graceful, flowing lines and gently curving forms that echo and complement each other in every direction.” “Bird Decoys of North America,” Robert Shaw.
This exact decoy was first sold at a Richard Oliver auction in 1984. It was featured on pages 63 and 219, as well as the back cover of “Southern Decoys” by Henry Fleckenstein.
47 Detail
32
47 Detail 47
47. Classic canvasback drake, Lee Dudley, Knotts Island, North Carolina, last quarter 19th century. “V” wingtip carving. Worn old paint; most of the neck is an old replacement.
Literature: “Gunnin’ Birds,” Kroghie Andresen. (17,500 - 22,500)
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D.W. Nichol
Smith Falls, Ontario 48.
Rigmate pair of working ring necked ducks, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Good carving detail. Original paint with very minor wear; a few tiny dents. (1,200 - 1,500)
49.
Black duck, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Relief wingtip carving; fluted and notched tail. Red legs painted on lower sides. Excellent and original.
Literature: Gates.
48
“Ontario Decoys,” Bernie (1,200 - 1,500)
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50. Wood duck drake, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Signed and ID’ed on underside. Relief wingtip carving and fluted tail. Very slightly turned head. Excellent and original. (900 - 1,200)
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51.
51 34
Pair of greenwing teal, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Good carving detail and paint pattern. Excellent and original. (900 - 1,200)
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54
55
56
57
52. Pair of widgeon, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Signed and ID’ed on undersides. Relief wingtip carving and fluted tail. Excellent and original. (700 - 900) 53.
1/2 size loon, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Signed and ID’ed on underside. Relief wing carving and fluted tail. Excellent and original. (500 - 700)
54. Greenwing teal hen, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Signed and ID’ed on underside. Relief wingtip carving and fluted tail. Excellent and original. (350 - 450)
55.
Two decoys, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. A mallard drake and a canvasback drake. Both are signed and ID’ed on the underside. Relief wingtip carving and fluted tails. Excellent and original. (700 - 900)
56. Pair of buffleheads, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Signed and ID’ed on undersides. Relief wing carving and fluted tails. Excellent and original. (700 - 900) 57. Two horned grebes, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. One in winter the other in spring plumage. Both are signed and ID’ed on undersides. Excellent and original. (700 - 900)
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Pacific Coast Horace “Hi” Crandall 1892 - 1969 San Francisco, California
58. Rare “heavy body” style mallards, Hi Crandall, San Francisco, California. Both have slightly turned head and raised carved wingtips. Drake has two original neck seems (X-Ray available). Drake has five shot holes filled and touched up, otherwise very good and original. Literature: “Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Mike Miller and Fred Hanson. (7,500 - 10,000)
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Horace Crandall was born in Ashaway, Rhode Island in 1892. He spent his younger days on the east coast and moved to Benicia, California in 1917 where he took a job as a ferry boat engineer. His job was carrying trains across the Sacramento River before the bridges were built. He made his first decoys while in Benicia but they were all lost in a fire. In 1931, he moved to Westwood, California on Lake Almanor where he eventually took a job with Red River Lumber Company. This is when he made the decoys collectors covet the most. “Hi,” as he was known, began selling decoys locally through the San Francisco sporting goods stores including, Phillips Sporting Goods. He was even asked to display his carvings at the 1939 World’s Fair on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. This style of mallard is identified as “heavy bodied models” in the new book, “Wildfowl Decoys of California,” p. 581, Mike Miller. To the best of his knowledge, Miller has only seen one pair of these more full bodied decoys, besides these. Why they were made is a mystery. Special order? For rough water? Better pieces of wood? The only thing we know for sure is that they are uncommon in the scope of his work.
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58 Detail 58 Detail
59 Detail
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59.
Pintail drake, Hi Crandall, San Francisco, California. Slightly turned head. Carved primaries and secondaries. Bottom edge is beveled. Near mint original paint; slight separation at neck seam.
Provenance: This pintail was purchased directly from the Crandall family in the 1990’s. (7,000 - 9,000)
59 Detail
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60
61
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60. Widgeon, Luigi Andreuccetti, Sacramento, California. “LA” carved in underside. Relief wing carving. Long neck with slightly turned head. Original paint with very slight wear; old working repaint to underside and to speculums. 61.
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Literature: “Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Mike Miller and Fred Hanson. (3,500 - 4,500) Canvasback drake, James Titus, Astoria, Oregon, 1st quarter 20th century. Lower sides are beveled. Large “T” carved in underside. Old overpaint has worn to show
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some original underneath; roughness to edges of bill; lightly hit by shot. (500 - 800) 62.
Pintail drake, Percy Bicknell, Richmond, British Columbia. Hollow carved. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (650 - 950)
63. Mallard drake, Charles Bergman, Astoria, Oregon. Old in use repaint on white area as well as breast and head, original on bill and back with significant shrinkage; thin crack through neck. (750 - 950)
Miniatures
64
65
66
66A
66B
67
64.
Two miniatures, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. A greenwing teal drake and a wood duck hen. Wood duck is approximately 5.25” long. Very good and original. (3,500 - 4,500)
65.
1/4 size “sleepy eyed” mallard hen, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Approximately 5.5” long. Raised wingtips and slightly tucked head. Fine paint detail. Excellent and original. (2,250 - 2,750)
66.
Pair of 1/4 size mallards, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Hen is in sleeping pose. Both have raised carved wingtips drake has curly tail. Drake has a thin crack through neck, otherwise very good and original.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of Pete Van Tright. (2,500 - 3,500) 66A. Pair of miniature Canada geese, Oliver Lawson,
68 Crisfield, Maryland. Bodies are approximately 8” long. Balsa bodies with cedar heads. Signed and dated 1956. Very good and original. (800 - 1,000) 66B. Miniature red breasted merganser, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Unstamped Original paint with very minor wear; professional bill chip repair. (600 - 900) 67. Miniature canvasback, Tom Schroeder, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1945. Mounted on base. Detailed wing and tail carving and combing on back. Head is slightly turned. 6.5” in length. Retains Schroeder’s business card on underside. Original and good. (400 - 600) 68. Two miniatures, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Original paint with very minor flaking and wear; hairline crack partway through redhead’s neck; merganser drake’s bill is replaced; minor paint shrinkage neck. (900 - 1,200)
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Ontario William Chrysler 1865 - 1945 Belleville, Ontario
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69.
Very rare hollow carved hooded merganser hen, William Chrysler, Belleville, Ontario, 1st quarter 20th century. The strikingly sculptural head rests on the classic hollow flat-bottomed body. The thin neck moves up into an extremely stylized narrow wedge shaped head with glass eyes (one red and one yellow) and bill and nostril carving. The letter “C” is impressed on the underside of the jaw. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents; roughly 80% of the bill has been professionally replaced.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates. “Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History and Art,” Robert Shaw, p. 226, exact decoy. “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 149, 69 Detail exact decoy. (6,500 - 9,500)
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70 Detail
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70.
Classic long body style, canvasback hen, Tom Chambers, Toronto, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Hollow carved with graceful, high neck pose. Branded JT McMillan for St. Clair flats shooting company member James T. McMillan. 1913-1946. Original paint with very minor crazing and wear; string marks on body where anchor line was wrapped; a couple of hairline surface cracks at neck base; a few tiny dents.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates. “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. (9,500 - 12,500)
70 Detail
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72.
73.
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Solid body black duck, John R. Wells, Toronto, first quarter 19th century. Fine scratch paint detail on head. Original paint with very slight wear; a few small dents and shot marks. (1,500 - 2,000) Long necked black duck, William Clark, 1st quarter 20th century. Hollow carved. Branded “Vivian”. Original scratch paint with minor wear; small chip missing from edge of tail; hit by shot mostly on one side; reglued crack in neck. (1,000 - 1,400) Black duck from Eastern Ontario, 2nd quarter 20th century. Incised wing carving and stamped feathering over most of the decoy. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
74.
Mallard hen, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. Original paint with minor wear; head is a little loose. (900 - 1,200)
75. Goldeneye hen, Peter Pringle, Dunnville, Ontario. Original paint with minor wear; roughness to edges of tail. (900 - 1,200) 76.
High neck style mallard drake, William Clark. Branded “Vivian”. Good comb paint detail. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; professional bill repair. (800 - 1,200)
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77 Detail
77.
Very rare rigmate pair of canvasbacks from Harsens Island, last quarter 19th century or earlier. One of only two pair known to exist. Hollow carved with square nailed bottom boards. Original paint that has discolored with some shrinkage; restoration to hen’s bill by Cameron McIntyre, otherwise structurally good.
Provenance: Purchased from the St. Clair Flats Shooting Company in the early 1970s by decoy enthusiasts Barney Crandall and Harry Seitz. Obtained by the consignor in a trade with Harry Seitz many years ago. Literature: “Decoys: St. Clair to St. Lawrence,” Barney Crandell, color plate 170, other pair. (6,000 - 9,000)
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77A Detail 77A Detail
John R. Wells - Fourth front left - with Phineas, Charles, and Frank Reeves
78 Detail
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77A
78 77A. Rare hollow carved canvasback drake, John R. Wells, Toronto, Ontario, first quarter 20th century. Branded “JRW maker” twice in the underside. Also the painted initials “HJS” are on the underside for Henry J. Skynner. Skynner was the mayor of Brandon, Manitoba and a founding member of the Oak Lake Shooting Club. The decoy was made for use at the Oak Lake Club, Wells’ decoys from that club are considered among his finest work. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; professional repair to approximately 1/3 of the bill by Cameron McIntyre; lightly hit by shot. (6,000 - 9,000)
78.
Hollow carved canvasback drake, Tom Chambers, Toronto, Ontario, 1st quarter 20th century. Very rare short body style with arched back head. One of only six known in this style. Branded “JTN” for St. Clair Flats Shooting Company member John T. Nichol in underside. Original paint with very minor wear; several tiny dents and shot marks.
Provenance: Purchased by Barney Crandall and Harry Sietz from the Canada Club in the early 1970s.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates. “Decoying St. Clair to the St. Lawrence,” Barney Crandall, color plate 167. (4,000 - 6,000) 45
79 Detail
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79.
46
Bluebill drake, Peter Pringle, Dunnville, Ontario. Relief wing carving detail and gouge feather carving on the entire body. Original paint with only slight wear; tiny rough spot on one edge of bill. (3,500 - 4,500)
80.
Hollow carved redhead drake from Southwestern, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Very thinly carved. Branded “HNT” for Harry Torrey, also branded, “Meredith.” Original paint with good patina and very minor wear; very lightly hit by shot. (7,500 - 9,500)
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80 Detail
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Ward Brothers
Crisfield, Maryland
Ward “beaver tail� style pintails are some of the more dramatic models ever produced by the carving duo. Made around 1928 with very few examples known, they can be described as having a graceful hump back and a long broad tail that sweeps up and away from the body. The paint is applied in a near perfect symmetrical pattern.
81 Detail 48
81 Detail
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81.
Very rare and important oversize “beaver tail” style pintail drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1930. Exceptional feather paint detail on back. Part of a rig that Senator Elwood Dize, Crisfield, Maryland, ordered in 1925. This decoy was owned by Pied Jones for around 40 years. Jones was a carver who worked for Lloyd Tyler. Original paint with good patina; a few very small marks and rubs; almost no wear; several tiny dents.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath.
(80,000 - 120,000) 49
“These decoys were bought from the Wards in 1942 by a gentleman who took them home and placed them on his mantle. The birds remained on the mantle for over forty years until the gentleman’s wife sold them through Grant Lawson to the present owner. When told of the approximate value of the decoys, the surprised lady told Grant that if they were sold, she would buy herself a new car. A short time later the lady called Grant’s attention to her new car and said she hoped whoever bought the decoys was happy with “those two blocks of wood” as she was with her new car. The decoys were made for hunting but never reached the water.” Exact decoys plate 86, “The Ward Brothers’ Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath
This is the first time they have ever been offered for sale since that original transaction from Grant Lawson.
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82 Detail
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82.
Classic 1942 model greenwing teal drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Approximately 12” from tip of bill to tip of tail. Slightly turned and canted head with carved crest. Original paint with slight wear; small area of paint shrinkage on side near tail; tiny chip missing from bill tack.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 97, exact decoy pictured. (27,500 - 32,500)
83 83 Detail 83. Exceptional 1942 classic greenwing teal hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Approximately 12” from tip of bill to tip of tail. Slightly turned and lifted head, which is very slightly canted to one side; very slight relief wingtip carving. Exceptional paint tone and feather detail. Near mint original paint with excellent patina; small area of shrinkage on one side near knot; slight separation at neck seam; underside has several small cracks. Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath, p. 97, exact decoy pictured. (27,500 - 37,500)
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86
89
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84.
Bluebill drake, Ben Dye, Perryville, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. “HN” is carved in the underside. Old repaint; hit by shot; small dents and cracks. (600 - 900)
87.
Bluebill drake, Sam Barnes, Havre de Grace, Maryland, circa 1900. Black on head and breast has been strengthened; the rest is original with moderate discoloration and wear; crack in underside. (650 - 950)
85.
Canvasback drake, George Lockard. Semi high head style, circa 1900. Branded “WK Dwier.” Old in use repaint. (650 - 950)
88.
86.
Canvasback drake, George Washington Barnes, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Branded “WW Folks” twice and “Pam Coast” once. Old repaint; small cracks. (650 - 950)
High head style canvasback drake, Barnhard Family, Havre de Grace, Maryland, circa 1900. “JP” brand in underside. Old paint with moderate wear; head is lifted slightly. (900 - 1,200)
89.
Bluebill drake, John “Daddy” Holly, Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint on the dark areas; the rest has original paint with moderate wear; small cracks. (1,200 - 1,500)
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90. Pair of shooting stool model goldeneye, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1971. Both have slightly turned heads. Small amount of paint shrinkage at a knot on hen’s back, otherwise very good and original. (3,000 - 5,000)
90 91.
Swimming Canada goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa late 1920s. Old paint with moderate wear; age split in back that was filled a long time ago and has split open more; age split in underside; numerous cracks and dents; head is loose. (3,000 - 5,000)
91 92.
Canvasback drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. 1948 model with balsa body, inserted cedar tail, and slightly turned cedar head. Signed by the Ward Brothers on the underside. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; a few small dents. (1,500 - 2,500)
92 53
In the 1930’s the Ward brothers were at the top of their game for several reasons. They had been making decoys since about 1918 so they had honed their skills of carving and painting. They were young and physically able to handle the grind of turning out large volumes of decoys but also mentally able to concentrate on the quality. They were still somewhat undiscovered as celebrities so they did not yet have the distractions that burdened them in their later years. The decoys made during these years are sought after by collectors from across the globe. The decoys in the style known as “1936” are iconic within the scope of the Wards Brothers work. This pattern was created, perfected, and produced from about the early 1930’s until about 1945.
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93.
Exceptional rigmate pair of pintails, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. 1936 models with slightly turned heads. Both are signed and have extra fine feather paint detail. Near mint original paint with very good patina; very small area of paint loss on one side of hen.
Provenance: Don Kirson collection. Formerly in the collection of Larry Pollin who purchased the pair from Richard Graham in 1992. Decoys were originally found by Clark Reed, Trappe, Maryland. Bill Purnell purchased them from Clark Reed and sold to Page Reese who in turn sold the decoys to Graham. Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Brian McGrath and Ron Gard. 54
(45,000 - 65,000)
93 Detail
93 Detail
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96
97
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99
94.
1936 model bluebill hen, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Old in use repaint; numerous tail chips missing; cracks and pieces missing from neck base; cracks in breast.
Provenance: From a hunting rig in Ontario. (800 - 1,200)
95.
Glen L. Martin model canvasback drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa mid 1930s. Old in use repaint; significant amount of neck filler added to chip area at neck base; small cracks and shot marks; chip missing from one side of tail.
Provenance: From hunting rig in Ontario. (1,200 - 1,800)
96.
Two flickers, Crisfield, Maryland. One by Lloyd Tyler and one by Zack Ward. Original paint with very minor
56
wear; Tyler decoy has one wing broken off and reattached; Ward flicker has dents in part of the back. (650 - 950) 97.
Pair of glass eye model widgeon, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Signed and dated 1986. Very good and original. (650 - 950)
98.
Canvasback drake, Robert McGaw, Havre de Grace, Maryland, 2nd quarter 20th century. Made to sit flat. Original paint with good detail and patina; very slight wear; several tiny dents. (1,500 - 2,000)
99. Canvasback drake, John Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Fat body style with old in use repaint; small cracks and chips. (600 - 900)
The White Mallard Club name has become synonymous with a rig of pintails and mallards used at this elite duck shooting club located in Northern California’s Butte Sink Valley. Identified by the horseshoe shaped weights nailed to the rear of each decoy, or the nail pattern of a missing weight, it is thought that these decoys made their way to the club via either Abercrombie & Fitch or Roos-Akins sporting goods store in San Francisco, California.
100
100. Pinch breast style pintail drake, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland, circa 1932. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; protected by an old coat of varnish; old in use touchup on top of bill, breast, and white areas; crack in underside; approximately 1/8” age split in back which was filled when the decoy was made; some of that filler has fallen out, mostly at tip of tail; small shallow chip missing from top of tail.
Provenance: From the White Mallard Hunting Club in California.
Literature: “Ward Brothers Decoys,” Ron Gard and Brian McGrath.
(20,000 - 30,000)
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Artwork
101
In ‘Wild Harvest: The Animal Art of Bob Kuhn’, the artist explains how he was invited to visit a “successful young trader who had converted some of his considerable profits into a hunter’s paradise on the Eastern Shore of Maryland”. Kohn and his wife visited the 6,500 acre Tudor Farms on their way to Arizona and “after a day of unrelenting sport” he took the time to study and photograph the setting. He continues that “I didn’t actually see this bit of action, but I feel sure that it might well occur there and pretty much as I’ve created it. The young master of the estate seemed pleased with the results.” This is the first time this painting has ever been offered for sale.
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Bob Kuhn was born and grew up in Buffalo, New York. As a boy, he began to observe and draw animals at the nearby Buffalo Zoo. In 1937, Kuhn attended the Pratt Institute in New York City where he studied design, anatomy, and life drawing. For the next 30 years, he was one of the most popular wildlife illustrators in America. His work appeared in many publications. He worked primarily in acrylic and is well known for his ability to paint the particular movements and personalities of wild animals. Kuhn was a member of the Society of Animal Artists in New York and his works are featured in the permanent collections of many museums including the National Museum of Wildlife Art. At the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, his painting, Lair of the Cat, won the prestigious 1991 Prix de West, awarded by the Academy of Western Art. The Artist’s View, stated, “Bob Kuhn is without peer. His work represents the best of wildlife art and has been described as having the ability to take its viewers into the very midst of nature’s secret places, almost into the minds of the animals themselves.”
101. “Startled Retreat,” acrylic on board by Bob Kuhn (1920 - 2007). A large example of Kuhn’s work showing good movement. Signed and dated 1992 on the back and front center bottom. Image size approximately 20” x 40”. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. This scene was painted by Kuhn to represent a typical scene at Tudor Farms.
Literature: “Wild Harvest: The Animal Art of Bob Kuhn”, Kuhn and Davis, p 118, exact painting. (65,000 - 85,000)
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102
103
102. “Layout Shooting,” an oil on board, Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878 - 1960). Signed, “To Russ Lynch.” Image size approximately 10 3/4” x 8 1/4”. Excellent and original.
103.
Oil on board of cinnamon teal in flight, Harry Adamson (1916 - 2012). Image size approxiamtely 16” x 20”. Signed. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Miller collection.
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Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(4,500 - 6,500)
(3,000 - 4,000)
Born in Hildesheim, Germany, Osthaus studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Dusseldorf between 1874 and 1882, immigrating to the United States in 1883. He became the director of the Toledo Academy of Fine Arts between 1886-1893, eventually leaving to devote himself fulltime to painting, shooting and following field trials. He was a charter member of the National Field Trial Association formed at Newton, North Carolina in November 1895. As one of the top American sporting painters in his time, he was greatly admired by wealthy families such as the Vanderbilts and the Morgans. These families and great art collectors commissioned paintings in order to decorate large and spacious walls in their grand homes. Osthaus worked in watercolor and oils and, occasionally, etchings. Many of his works were commissioned pieces like the one being offered today. A well to do sportsman of the time quite often decorated his home or office with a portrait of his prized hunting companion.
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104. Exceptional oil on canvas of hunting dogs, Edmond Osthaus (1858 - 1928). Signed by the artist. Image size approximately 24” x 40”. Excellent and original. Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(25,000 - 35,000)
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105
105. Watercolor of three pointers, Edmund Osthaus (1858 - 1928). Professionally framed and matted. Image size 10” by 19 3/4”. Signed l.l. Excellent and original
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Provenance: Purchased by the consignor in the late 1970’s.
(8,000 - 12,000)
One of America’s greatest periodical wildlife artists was Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878-1960). Hunt was born in Honeoye Falls, New York, but moved to Albion, Michigan at the age of 12 were he received his education. Hunt began a three year stint as a sketch artist for the Detroit Free Press in 1899, and soon became noticed by the top New York magazines. He moved to New York, and joined the staff of Field and Stream Magazine. Hunt later became the magazine’s staff artist, and drew more than 100 covers for this publication, plus numerous illustrations for the articles therein.
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106. “Teal on the Bear River Marshes” an oil on canvas by Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878 - 1960). Signed. Image size approximately 22” x 16”. Signed by the artist. Dent approximately 1/2” long in mountains near left edge; tiny dent in water, otherwise excellent and original. Provenance: Private Southern collection. Literature: “A Book on Duck Shooting,” Van Campen Heilner, p. 106, exact painting. (9,500 - 12,500) 63
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107 Detail
107. Oil on canvas of goose hunting from a pit blind, Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878 - 1960). Image size approximately 12” x 14”. Signed by the artist Excellent and original.
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Provenance: Private Southern collection. (8,000 - 12,000)
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108. “Pintails,” oil on canvas by Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878 - 1960). Signed by the artist. Image size approximately 16” x 20”. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Purchased from Drew Holl. (7,500 - 9,500)
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109
Sir Peter Scott was the most influential conservationist of the 20th century, and the first one to be knighted (1973). He founded the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and remained Honorary Director until his death in 1989. In addition, Peter Scott was a founder and first chairman of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 1961.
109. “Canada Geese and Canvasbacks,” an oil on canvas by Sir Peter Scott (1909 - 1989). Signed and dated 1971. Image size approximately 20” x 24”. Excellent and original. Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. (7,000 - 9,000)
110 110. “O’ By. JINGO,” a watercolor by Rueben Ward Binks (1880-1850). Image size approximately 9 1/2” x 11”. Professionally matted and framed. Excellent and original.
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Provenance: Private Southern collection. (3,000 - 4,000)
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111.
“Redlegs in December,” an oil on canvas by Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878 - 1960). Signed. Image size approximately 22” x 16”. Signed. Several small paint rubs at lower edge of painting, in mountains right above hunter; and two in upper sky where edge of frame hits canvas; tiny hole the size of a small nail at one edge next to matting.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
Literature: “A Book on Duck Shooting,” Van Campen Heilner, p. 111, exact painting. (9,000 - 12,000)
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112
112.
Oil on board, Richard Bishop (1887 - 1975). Image size 12” x 16”. Two wood ducks landing in wooded marsh. Signed Richard Bishop. Written on back, “Wood ducks near Bethel VT.” professionally framed. Very good and original. (2,500 - 3,500)
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113.
Oil on board, Richard Bishop (1887 - 1975). Image size 12” x 16”. Signed and dated 1950. Eight widgeon taking flight from marsh. 16” x 12”. (2,500 - 3,500)
David Maass has been actively painting game birds for more than forty years. After growing up exploring the bottom lands of the Mississippi River valley in Minnesota, he became an illustrator and produced images for Brown and Bigelow calendars for 27 years. In the early 1950s, he designed more than 35 conservation stamps and prints for various states and organizations. His 1982 winning canvasback painting marks the second time that a Maass design had appeared on the Federal Duck Stamp and Print. Working mostly in oils, his artwork reveals an amazing understanding of light and a diligent study of subject matter. Three books have been published on the painting of David Maass, the most recent being “Wildfowl of North America,” released in December 1999.
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114.
“Wood Ducks,” oil on board by David Maass (b. 1929). Signed. Image size approximately 28” x 24”. Exact painting used for the 1989 Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Management Conservation print and stamp. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(14,000 - 18,000) 69
Michigan 115. Canada goose, Nate Quillin, Rockwood, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Tack eyes. Raised neck seat. Hollow carved with bottom board. Numerous coats of old paint that has crazed and flaked in some areas; structurally good.
115
Literature: “Pte. Mouillee Shooting Club,” Jim and Barbara Marsh. (4,000 - 6,000 116. Bluebill hen, George Sibley, Whitehall, Michigan. Hollow carved with slightly turned head and inlet hardwood bill. Patent applied for stamp on underside. Original paint with minor wear; mostly where bill joins head.
116
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli. (3,000 - 4,000)
117. Very rare pair of ‘pinch neck’ canvasbacks from Southern Michigan. Both are solid body with bobtail style tails. Each possesses unique bill and head carving along with ultra delicate thin necks. Drake has Mackey stamp on underside. Both are in very old working paint; hen’s neck has been broken and secured with very early applied copper wire; drake’s neck has very old repair at neck seat; paint on both has flaked to bare wood over numerous areas on body and head; drake has glass eyes. (2,500 - 3,500)
117
118. Very rare full body bluebill drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. Center cut two piece body that has been hollowed. Comb painting on back. Mounted to a presentation plaque. Original paint; slight separation at body seam; crack in neck; small rubs of back.
118 70
Literature: “Ben J. Schmidt A Michigan Decoy Carver,” Lowell Jackson, p. 5. (2,500 - 3,500)
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119. Rare working European widgeon, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Signed on underside. Well carved and painted with raised split wingtips and slightly turned head. Unused. (1,200 - 1,500) 120. Pair of widgeon, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with minor wear and some old touchup; drake has a neck crack repair; small dents; small crack in hen’s back. (1,200 - 1,600) 121. Early canvasback drake, Ferdinand Bach, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1930. Classic Bach head with early body style. Very light gunning wear; a few shot marks; original paint. (1,200 - 1,500) 122. Large canvasback drake, Ferdinand Bach, Detroit,
Michigan. From the hunting rig of WF Wagner. Old in use repaint by Bach; small cracks and dents. (1,250 - 1,750) 123. Pair of canvasbacks, Don Scrivens, Detroit, Michigan. Both are stamped “101” in the underside. Original paint with minor wear; small dents mostly on drake. (1,200 - 1,600) 124. Rare sleeping redhead drake, Ted Van DeBossche, 1st quarter 20th century. “R. Johnson” branded in underside. Old paint that appears to be a second coat; structurally good.
Literature: “Decoy Magazine,” March/April 1993, article on Ted Van DeBossche, p. 13, exact decoy. (1,500 - 2,000) 71
nate Quillin
1839 - 1908 Rockville, Michigan
Originally found in the Florida home of a Michigan resident that had moved there to retire, this pair of magnificent rigmate mallards was sold in a Richard Oliver auction in July 1984. They have been in a Michigan collection ever since. We now know that this pair, along with a matching pair of half size miniatures, were made by Quillin for a member of the Quillin family and were never hunted.
Nate Quillin
Quillin was Michigan’s earliest and finest commercial decoy craftsman. According to Jim Marsh, a Quillin authority, his most productive years were between 1880 and 1900. The majority of his decoys and boats were sold to members of the Pointe Mouillee Shooting Club where he worked as a guide.
125 Detail
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125 Detail
125. Extremely rare pair of mallards, Nate Quillin, Rockville, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Hollow carved. Inlet head and shoulder carving. Near mint original paint that has darkened a little with age; protected by an old coat of varnish; structurally excellent.
Literature: Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. “Pte. Mouillee Shooting Club,” Jim and Barbara Marsh. (25,000 - 35,000) 73
126
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126. Rigmate pair of mallards, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Signed by Schmidt on underside. Hen has raised and split wingtips. Drake has raised wingtips. Unused; very good and original. (1,500 - 1,800) 127. Wood duck drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Slightly forward head in swimming position. Very good and original. (1,800 - 2,200) 128. Greenwing teal drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Signed on underside. Slightly turned head. Excellent and original. (800 - 1,200) 129. Two decoys, Frank Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Black
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131 duck and mallard hen. Original paint with minor wear; speculums and underside have been redone on mallard.
Provenance: Hanley collection.
(1,000 - 1,400)
130. Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1950. Both unused. Feather stamping on sides of wing patches, carved feathers and bills. Very good and original. (700 - 1,000) 131. Pair of canvasbacks, Ed “One Arm” Kelly, Monroe, Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Drake has slightly turned head. Original paint; a few small dents; small areas of neck filler missing at seam. (1,500 - 2,000)
Ferdinand Bach 1888 - 1967 Detroit, Michigan
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Made after Bach’s departure from the earliest smooth back style, this bluebill was made in what is known as the “classic period”. The artistic, almost geometric, wing and back carving shows a concave diamond shape between the wings and shoulders at the top of the back. This style also exhibits finely carved and crossed wingtips. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third Bach bluebill to ever be offered at auction.
132 Detail 132. Rare bluebill drake, Ferdinand Bach, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1930. In content pose with nestled down head, turned slightly to one side. Relief wing carving with crossed wingtips. Original paint with minor wear; hairline surface crack in one side; spots of filler added near neck base.
Provenance: From Bach’s personal gunning rig. Then owned by Ralph Reghi. Also at one time collection of Jerry Katana.
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli, p 34.
(15,000 - 20,000) 75
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133. Redhead drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with very minor wear; thin crack in tail. (600 - 900) 134.
Widgeon drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Very good and original. (600 - 900)
135. Mallard drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with minor wear mostly on the head; crack through keel. (650 - 950)
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136. Solid body bluebill drake, Nate Quillin, Rockville, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Branded “G. Hall”. Inlet head and shoulder carving. Old in use repaint; lightly hit by shot; approximately 1/2 of bill was replaced a long time ago; crack through neck. (600 - 900) 137. Very rare ringbill hen, Miles Pirnie, Lansing, Michigan. Small surface crack in back, otherwise very good and original. (600 - 900) 138. Pintail drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Signed on underside. Inserted copper tail and fine feather stamping. Alert high head that is slightly turned. Unused; metal tail has been bent slightly and shows some paint loss. (800 - 1,200)
John Schweikart
1870 - 1954 Strawberry Island, Michigan
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139. Hollow carved canvasback drake, John Schweikart, Strawberry Island, Michigan. In alert pose with long neck. Applied copper wingtips and copper keel that folds down. Off white area appears to be original paint with minor to moderate wear; the rest has old in use repaint; lightly hit by shot.
139 Detail
Literature: “Michigan Decoys,” Clune Walsh Jr. and Lowell Jackson. “Great Lakes Decoy Interpretations,” Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 161, exact decoy. “Waterfowl Decoys of Michigan and the Lake St. Clair Region, “ Clune Walsh Jr. and Lowell Jackson, plate 2 and p. 20, exact decoy. (12,500 - 17,500)
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Illinois River 140. Canvasback drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, circa 1880s. GK Schmidt brand in underside. Repainted circa 1920 by Edna Perdew for the GK Schmidt rig; Perdew paint has very minor flaking and wear; structurally good.
Provenance: Joe French collection. (2,000 - 3,000)
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141. Mallard hen, Charles Walker, Princeton, Illinois. Slightly turned head. “23” painted on underside for Princeton Fish and Game Club member Robert Skinner. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; repainted bill and speculums a few tiny dents and shot marks.
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Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. (2,500 - 3,500)
142. Mallard drake, Fred Allen, Monmouth, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Found with a group of Elliston greenwing teal, including lot 418 in this auction, as well as other Fred Allen decoys. Weight is embossed “Burkhard St. Paul.” Fine feather paint detail. Original paint with minor wear; small rough area at center of tail.
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Literature: “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis. (3,000 - 5,000)
143. Mallard hen, Fred Allen, Monmouth, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Found with a group of Elliston greenwing teal, including lot 418 in this auction, as well as other Fred Allen decoys. Weight is stamped “Burkhard St. Paul.” Original paint with minor to moderate wear; specs of off white paint on one side of back and tail. (3,000 - 5,000)
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144. “Boat back” style bluebill drake, Jack Schwartz, Sparland, Illinois, circa 1920s. Original paint by Edna Perdew; minor wear; a few small dents.
Literature: “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis. (4,500 - 6,500)
145.
Bluebill drake, Vern Cheesman, Macomb, Illinois, circa 1930. Original paint by Edna Perdew; minor wear; slight separation at the body seam with some unpainted wood filler showing there; small worn area near weight.
Literature: “Decoys and Decoys Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis. (4,500 - 6,500)
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146 Detail
146 Detail
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146. Very rare rigmate pair of pintails, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa early 1920s. Both retain Perdew weights. Fine comb paint detail and well blended feather paint. Hen bears French ink stamp, “160”, purchased by French from Frank Cotton Echard June 24, 1955 at the same time be bought the Canvasbacks in this sale. Drake has stamp, “660”, also bought from Echard in September of 1958. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; thin crack through hen’s neck; fairly large rough area on one edge of drake’s tail.
Provenance: Joe French collection.
Literature: “Decoy Collectors Guide,” 1964 issue, p. 5, exact decoys. “Decoys and Decoy Carvers of Illinois,” Paul Parmalee and Forrest Loomis, p. 280, exact decoys. “Charles Perdew,” Ann Tandy Lacy, pp. 144 and 145, exact decoys. (30,000 - 40,000)
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147. Pair of pintails, Hector Whittington, Ogelsby, Illinois. Early style gunning pair. Signed by Whittington in underside on April 1977. Decoys were probably made in the 1930s. Drake has fine combing on back and sides. Hen has slighty turned head. A few rubs on side and back of drake; hen has sliver of wood missing from underside of bill and three small paint flakes. (1,200 - 1,500) 148. Very rare greenwing teal hen, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Branded “LHC”, for Lewis H. Clark, a member at Senachewine Duck Club. Repaint by Helen Hagerman in 1958, structurally good.
Provenance: Joe French collection from Helen Hagerman. (1,000 - 1,500)
149. Mallard hen, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois. Early “round body” style, circa 1880. Original paint with good detail and minor wear; bill has been blunted slightly; 82
crack through neck; weight has been removed. (1,000 - 1,400) 150. Late mallard drake, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. Retains Graves weight. Large red circle painted on underside as a rig mark. Original paint with moderate shrinkage and minor wear. (1,000 - 1,400) 151.
Bluebill drake, Charles Pozzini, Chicago, Illinois. Signed and dated 1946. Hollow carved with relief wing carving and notched tail. Original paint with minor wear; a few tiny dents. (1,000 - 1,400)
152. Mallard drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Early style. Most of the decoy has been repainted; thin crack through neck.
Provenance: Joe French collection.
(800 - 1,200)
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153. Pintail drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear, mostly on one side; discoloration mostly on lower sides and underside; some discoloration on back of head.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. (5,000 - 7,500)
154. Bluewing teal hen, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; filled shot holes in one side.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. (6,500 - 9,500)
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Bert Graves
1887 - 1956 Peoria, Illinois Robert Elliston’s untimely death in 1911, left many unfinished decoys unsold, and his wife, Catherine, out of a painting job. When Graves purchased the business from Ms. Elliston, he likely used the unfinished decoys first, as well as the patterns that Elliston had been using. This helps to explain why the early Graves decoys look so much like Elliston’s work. Graves also hired Catherine Elliston to help paint finished decoys along with his wife, Nillie.
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155. Well formed preening mallard hen, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. His early “white sided” style. Original paint with fine detail and very little wear; a few tiny paint scrapes missing from head and sides; weight is missing.
155 Detail
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Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. (20,000 - 25,000)
This black duck, rare for any Illinois River maker, was part of a special order by Chet Cashwell of Peoria who hunted at the Rice Pond Club in the 1930s. It is branded “CJC” for that reason.
156
156 Detail
156 Detail
156. Very rare black duck, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. Retains Graves weight. From the Caswell rig, branded “C.J.C.”. Fine subtle feather paint detail. Original paint with very slight wear; hairline surface crack in one side of neck.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. “Decoy Magazine,” March/April 1997, article on Bert Graves, p. 12, exact decoy. (12,500 - 17,500)
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Mason Factory Shorebirds
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157. Robin snipe in spring plumage, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905. Glass eye model. Original paint with minor wear; hit by shot mostly on one side; bill is a replacement. (1,500 - 2,000) 158. Willet with iron bill, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; structurally very good. (2,000 - 3,000)
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159. Yellowlegs, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Glass eye model, circa 1910. Original paint with very minor discoloration and wear; hit by shot on both sides; one eye is missing; paint rub under the tail. (1,750 - 2,250)
160. Exceptional sickle billed curlew, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1910. A large decoy, approximately 18.5” long. Subtle feather paint detail and very good patina. In very unusual reaching attitude. Near mint original paint; “in factory” drying crack in underside that was filled when the decoy was made; very small amount of missing neck filler has been replaced on one side.
Provenance: From a home near Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid.
(22,500 - 27,500)
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160 Detail
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161. Willet, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Rare glass eye model, circa 1910. Near mint original paint; with good detail; in factory crack in one side has opened somewhat and been professionally filled. (3,500 - 4,500) 162. Rare snipe, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1910. Glass eye model with intricate feather paint detail. Original paint with minor wear; two tiny dents above one eye; second stick hole added to underside; thin crack through head. Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
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(3,000 - 5,000)
163. Whimbrel, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1900. Glass eye model. Front half of head has been professionally replaced, the rest is very good and original.
Provenance: Pearce collection.
(5,500 - 8,500)
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164. Special order willet with original wooden bill, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905. Glass eye model with detailed feather paint. Near mint original paint; numerous tiny dents on upper back; dents that are a little bit larger on one lower side.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid. (4,500 - 6,500)
165. Very rare dowitcher, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Glass eye model circa 1910. Near mint original paint; with good detail; hairline surface crack in one side.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid. (5,000 - 7,000)
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Lake Chautauqua Fish Decoys History of Spearing on Lake Chautauqua, New York 1841
Spear fishing and use of tents on ice made illegal.
1857
Illegal to posses a spear or fish house.
1896
Spear fishing for Gar reinstated.
1897
Spear fishing for Muskey made legal from Februay 1st - 20th.
1898
Season is extended until 3/10, but only two days per week.
1899
Muskey and Billfish may be taken legally with spears and fish houses & decoys. Spearing permitted Mondays and Thursdays for five weeks beginning the first Monday in February. Fish houses only allowed on the ice between 6 am and 6 pm.
1903
Spearing on Thursdays only.
1905
Spearing of Musky prohibited on Lake Chautauqua. Spearing was closed forever.
A passage in the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries annual report for 1901 said : “Within the hut, the spearer plied his trade. He was equipped with artfully crafted fish decoys in the likeness of trout, chubs, suckers, sunfish, or even muskellunge, a hand wrought spear, and a hand gaff.” “When a fish does appear it generally approaches the decoy slowly and carefully. The fisherman then grasps the spear and quietly poises it directly over the fish, which, as there is no light in the hut, is unable to see its danger. It is his endeavor to plant the spear a little back of the head, thus breaking the backbone and killing the fish almost instantly.” The start of spearing season was not unlike the beginning of major sporting seasons today,filled with extensive preparations and high expectations. Fishermen would spend days before the season, sharpening their spears and gaffs, carving or repainting decoys, sealing any openings in their fish coops, and of course, recounting the success of seasons past. For several days prior to the start of the season, horse teams could be seen pulling wagon loads of fish coops to the lake from places like Ellery, Sherman, Gerry, Frewsburg and even Warren, PA. The coops were hauled to Chautauqua Lake and staged on shore nearest the owner’s favorite spearing locations in preparation for the legal 6 A. M. starting hour. On opening day of the season the City of Jamestown added additional early morning streetcars and special rail excursions were added to carry avid spearers to Chautauqua’s shores.” Research and text provided by Fletcher Ward
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It is said that Ed Irwin caught more musky on Lake Chautauqua than any other man, past or present. Born and raised on what is now known as the Chautauqua Institute property, Irwin loved to hunt and fish. Around 1860, he left the area to attend Bryant & Stratton Business College in Buffalo, New York. Upon his return to the Chautauqua area, he accepted a job in Mayville as a bookkeeper for a local mill. The call of the wild was too much for Irwin to manage. He eventually gave up his job at the mill to become a full time hunter and fisherman. In the fall, Irwin would travel to the Kankakee Marsh in Indiana to hunt ducks for the Chicago market. He would then return to his home on the north end of Chautauqua Lake to ice fish throughout the winter, then fish and guide for musky in the spring and summer months. Irwin began to gain a local reputation for his spearing decoys, casting spoons, and double-ended rowboats. This trout is very similar in style to the trout consigned by Ed Irwin’s niece and sold in our April 2013 auction.
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166. Very rare 8 1/2” long fish decoy, Ed Irwin, Lake Chautauqua, New York, last quarter 19th century. Carved gills and mouth. Tack eyes, metal fins and curved leather tail. Small scrapes on copper fins, otherwise very good and original. (12,500 - 17,500)
167.
Very rare 7 1/2” fish decoy, Ed Irwin, Lake Chautauqua, New York, last quarter 19th century. Carved gills and mouth. Tack eyes, metal fins and leather tail. Jigging stick is included. Small amount of paint loss from weight and metal fins, otherwise very good and original. (10,000 - 14,000) 91
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168. Rare yellow perch, Harry Seymour, Bemus Point, New York, last quarter 19th century One of very few perch known by Seymour. Approximately 7.5” long. Exhibits four brad, leather tail construction. Metal fins, tack eyes, carved gills and mouth. Dry original paint; minor wear on most of the decoy; moderate wear on underside and lower sides.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of Steve Michaan.
Literature: This exact fish decoy was in the following; “Decoy Magazine,” Sept/Oct 1988, article on Lake Chautauqua Fish. Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 45. “American Fish Decoys,” Steve Michaan, p. 16. (8,000 - 10,000) 169. Very rare and unusual sunfish spearing decoy, maker unknown, Lake Chautauqua, New York, last quarter 19th century. Tack eyes, carved gills and mouth. Metal 92
fins including a serrated dorsal fin. Curved leather tail. 6.5” long. Excellent dry original paint.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Annie Hooper, noted early Lake Chautauqua collector.
Literature: “Beneath the Ice,” Aphelbaum, Gottlieb, and Michaan, p. 56, similar fish by the same maker. (9,000 - 12,000) 170. Classic trout spearing decoy, Harry Seymour, Bemus Point, New York, last quarter 19th century. 8” long with tack eyes, metal fins, and curved leather tail. Carved mouth and gills. Intricate paint detail. Original paint with slight wear and good patina; structurally very good.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Steve Michaan.
Literature: American Fish Decoys,” Steve Michaan, p. 19, exact decoy. (9,000 - 12,000)
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178 174.
Rare spearing decoy, Frank Kuss, Michigan, first quarter 20th century. 10.5” long. 4 metal fins with numerous belly weights. Glass eyes and carved mouth. Old paint that has crazed and worn away in areas; chip missing from lower tail. (1,500 - 1,800)
175. Large and rare bass, Pecor Fox, Mt. Clements, Michigan, circa 1950. Carved wooden tail with five applied metal fins and belly weight. Measures 12” long, 4” tall. Glass eyes. Strong original paint on body; minor flaking to paint on fins. (2,250 - 2,750) 176. Very rare, well carved brook trout fish decoy, Larry Hayden, Detroit, Michigan, 1995. Anatomically perfect, slightly open mouth, and textured scales. Glass eyes. Fish appears to be swimming with body bent in an S shape. Signed “Hayden” on underside of fin. This lot is accompanied with a signed drawing by Larry Hayden detailing the pattern for this, his first fish decoy. Also comes with glass case to display which has a metal tag titled “Brook trout decoy, Larry Hayden, 1995”. Excellent and original. (3,000 - 4,000) 177. Large sturgeon spearing decoy, probably Fox Lake, Wisconsin, circa 1930. 32” long. Body is 4” wide.
178A Large tack eyes. Heavy weight inset in underside. Metal fins. Original paint with strengthening to some white areas of underside.
Literature: “Great Lakes Interpretations,” Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 255 exact decoy. (1,000 - 1,500)
178. Rare and unusual set of 10 spearing decoys, Herbert William Johnston, Hillman, Michigan. All made between 1960 and 1980. Species include, perch, pike, brown trout, walleye, tiger musky, sucker, musky, rainbow trout, croppie, sunfish. Measurements vary between 14” and 8”. Good to mint; some show light wear from use; rainbow trout has break at top of rear fin; original paint; structurally good.
Literature: See article on William Herbert Johnston in Hunting & Fishing Collectibles, March/April 2002, p. 53. exact decoys are shown. (2,500 - 3,500)
178A. Rare gar fish decoy, from Wisconsin circa 1920s. Approximately 15” long with metal fins. Original paint with minor wear; worn area to top of tail, one edge of bill, and front of face.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of Roberta Holcomb. (1,250 - 1,750)
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Oscar Peterson 1898 - 1960 Cadillac, Michigan
Born November 14, 1887 in Grayling Michigan, Oscar Peterson soon relocated to Cadillac, Michigan, where he lived his entire life until his death in 1951. It is said that he was a kind, shy person that often gave away his carvings to friends. He prided himself in the fact that he never used special tools, only a drawshave, ordinary chisels, pocketknife and sand paper. The scope of his carving is amazing. Over the years Peterson produced items including fish decoys, trade signs, pincushions, vases, fishing lures and decorative plaques. Peterson’s love of nature and, specifically, the bounty found in Northern Michigan is commonly represented in nearly all of his artwork. Today, Oscar Peterson is celebrated as one of America’s great folk artists. Many accredited museums across the country own Peterson examples including; American Folk Art Museum - New York, New York; Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum - Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia; Brooklyn Museum - Brooklyn, New York; Cleveland Art Museum Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee Art Museum - Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Shelburne Folk Art Museum - Shelburne, Vermont; and The Smithsonian - Washington DC.
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179 Detail 179 Detail
179. Exceptional 42” pike plaque, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan. Fish is relief carved with fin, gill and some scale carving. Two thin tin strips applied to back when plaque was made. Original paint with slight shrinkage on some areas of back board area; several tiny spots of professional touchup to black areas on fins.
Literature: “Oscar Peterson,” Kimble.
(35,000 - 45,000)
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180. Unusual fish spearing decoy with open mouth, Lake Chautauqua, last quarter 19th century. Tack eyes, metal fins, and curved leather tail. Approximately 7.5” long. Surface is worn and weathered with only traces of original paint remaining; structurally good. (1,250 - 1,750) 181. Perch spearing decoy, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. 7” long, 1/2” wide, 1” tall. Two belly weights. Strong original paint; very little wear. (800 - 1,000)
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182. Emerald Shiner Fish Decoy, Albert Winnie, Michigan, circa 1930. 8” long. Metal fins and detailed scale painting. Carved gills, eyes, and mouth. Red paint on under - side. Original paint with flaking and wear; paint around belly weight has mostly worn off. (800 - 1,200) 183. Sucker fish decoy, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. 9” long. Tack eyes. Two belly weights. Body width is 7/8” and height is 1 1/2”. Strong original paint; areas of flaking on underside; protected by an old coat of varnish; a few very small chips in body; a nail head is visible on one side of body. (800 - 1,000)
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184. Sucker spearing decoy, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. 9 1/2” in length, 1” wide, 1 1/2” tall. Tack eyes. Two belly weights. Original paint protected by an old coat of varnish; small area of wood missing near top fin; rough area to one side of mouth and tip of tail. (800 - 1,200) 185. Perch, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. Tack eyes with two belly weights. 9” long. 7/8” wide, 1 3/4” tall. Small nail in one side of body. Protected by an old coat of varnish; paint appears to have been added at gills and mouth as well as a few spots of yellow and red on fins; underside has been strengthened with gold and yellow paint; structurally good. (700 - 800)
186 186. 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.” Mostly original paint; some paint restoration near pectoral fin, which is a professional replacement; minor paint shrinkage on underside of carving and thicker paint on dorsal fin; small scrape on side of tail; reglued crack on bottom fin. (5,000 - 8,000)
186 Detail
187. Fish spearing decoy from Lake Chautauqua, New York, last quarter 19th century. Approximately 8” long. Carved gills and mouth. Tack eyes and metal fins. Curved leather tail. Weathered and worn; structurally good. (600 - 900) 188. Perch spearing decoy, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. Tack eyes. 8” long, 3/4” wide, 1” tall. Two belly weights. Numerous areas of paint flaking on underside; paint flaking on fins and rough area at tail. (700 - 800) 188A. Atlantic salmon plaque, approximately 51” long. Brass tag reads, “Atlantic Salmon 40 lbs. Rustigouche River. 6-27-1991. Angler, Jerry Karaska.” “Fresh Up, ‘99. J. Swaluk S.A.A.” is written on the back Very good and original. (650 - 950)
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188A 97
188B. Three decorative fish decoy carvings, Chuck Vogel, Curtis, Michigan. Brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. Each measures 10”. Two are signed on underside. All are very well carved and painted with detailed musculature. They are weighted with line ties. Mint with the exception of rainbow, which has two very tiny chips at tip of tail. (1,500 - 1,800)
188B
188C
188C. Three spearing decoys. Two by Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. One Jess Ramey. Brown trout with tack eyes measures 9” x 7/8” x 1 1/4”. Rainbow trout measures 7 1/2” x 5/8” x 1” has tack eyes. Brook trout measures 7” x 1/2” x 1”. All have two belly weights. Brown trout appears to be mostly original paint, damage and flaking at tail; paint loss to areas on body and fins; rainbow trout has thick paint which has been strengthened on red areas of side; brook trout appears to be original with flaking. (1,200 - 1,500)
188D
188D. Early and very folky set of 3 wonderful spearing decoys from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, circa 1900. Two have articulated hinged metal tail fins with well placed silver applied to sides of fish. Each has a lead head with carved eyes and mouth. We’ve never seen this craftsmanship before. All three have cupped metal attractors hanging from eye hooks where front fins would be. Measurements range from 7.5” - 8”. Original working condition shows considerable age and patina from use; one has original paint that has crazed and flaked to expose bare wood; one is missing two belly weights and has crack in top. (4,000 - 5,000) 98
Contemporary 188E. Large pike carving, C.B. Lewis, Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Approximately 23” long with carved eyes, mouth and gills. Copper fins and curved leather tail. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
188E 188F. Preening bluebill hen, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded, signed and dated 1984. Very good and original. (3,000 - 5,000)
188F 188G. Pair of flying wood ducks, Mike Borrett, Madison, Wisconsin. With extended crests and detailed bill carving. Maker’s name carved in wing. Excellent and original. (600 - 900)
188G 188H. Pair of greenwing teal in content pose, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Signed. “GS” is stamped in the weights. A few small paint rubs, otherwise very good and original. (650 - 950)
188H 99
Mason Decoy Factory 1896 - 1924 Detroit, Michigan
189. Rare greenwing teal drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with painted eyes. Original paint with virtually no wear; small cracks and several tiny chips missing from neck filler; small dent in top of head.
Provenance: Pearce collection. (2,500 - 3,500)
189 190. Bluewing teal drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Near mint original paint; small crack in neck filler; tiny chip in front of one eye from when decoy was made; tiny rough spot on one edge of bill. Provenance: Pearce collection.
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Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 59 top, exact decoy pictured. (2,500 - 3,500) 191. Exceptional pair of mallards, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Exceptional bold original paint with no wear; drake has a crack in the underside; as well as a crack and a small old chip missing from the neck filler; hen has had much of the neck filler professionally replaced and touched up.
191
Provenance: Pearce collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 26 top, exact decoys. (2,000 - 2,500) 192. Rare rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; each has a hairline crack in the underside; each has professional repairs to a couple small chips missing from neck filler.
192 100
Provenance: Pearce collection. (2,000 - 2,500)
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194 193 Detail
193. Exceptional and very rare pintail hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Near mint original paint; professional repair to a couple of tiny chips in the neck filler; old repair to a crack in the underside.
194. Very rare pintail drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with a few worn areas; “in factory” surface crack visible on one side; very slight roughness to tip of tail and tip of bill.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Formerly in the collection of William J. Mackey, Mackey collection stamp on underside. (6,000 - 9,000)
Provenance: Pearce collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 62, top. (4,500 - 6,500) 101
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195. Merganser drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Paint has been restored in the Mason style by Ray Schalk. Schalk brand in underside. A few small dents and shot marks; thin crack in back. (800 - 1,200)
199. Black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Early slope breasted challenge grade model, circa 1890s. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; tail chip repair; most of the neck filler has been professional replaced. (600 - 900)
196. Black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Very strong original paint with almost no wear; neck filler is intact and original; a few small white marks on back; crack in underside.
200. Greenwing teal drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade paint eye model. Old in use repaint; structurally good. (250 - 350)
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(650 - 950)
197. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade with wide spoon bills and snakey heads. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; each has an “in factory” filled crack in the back; hen has a repair to a chip in one side of the bill.
198.
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Provenance: Formerly in the collection of John Hillman, Seagirt, New Jersey. Hillman collection stamp on underside. (650 - 950) Stylish Mason mallard hen, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Early style body and head. Strong original paint with restoration at underside of bill, around neck seat and small area of flaking near eye; tail chip with small piece missing; body has a few rough areas. (600 - 800)
201. Black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with tack eyes. Original paint; minor wear; much of the neck filler is missing; hairline crack in one side. (300 - 500) 202. Rigmate pair of mallards, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Both have small amount of professional neck replacement; a few small rubs on body otherwise very good and original. (500 - 800) 203. Pintail drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Original paint; minor discoloration and wear; much of the neck filler has been replaced; a few small dents.
Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
(600 - 900)
204.
Bluebill drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade with extra fine sponge paint. Near mint original paint; very slight separation in back at knot.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. Dick Clark.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid. (2,500 - 3,500)
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205. Bluebill hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Large body size. Original paint with very slight wear; some discoloration at the back part of the lower sides; a few tiny dents.
Provenance: Pearce collection. (2,500 - 3,500)
205 206. Very rare rigmate pair of redheads, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905. Standard grade with tack eyes. Original paint with very slight discoloration and wear; neck filler is intact; slight roughness to end of drake’s bill.
Provenance: Pearce collection. (2,500 - 3,500)
206 207. Rare rigmate pair of American mergansers, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with glass eyes. Original paint with minor wear; wear on underside of drake and on one side of hen’s head; each has cracks in the underside; each has most of the neck filler professionally replaced. Provenance: Pearce collection. Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid. (3,000 - 5,000)
207 103
Shorebird Decoys Elmer Crowell
1862 - 1952 East Harwich, Massachusetts
Four of Crowell’s working shorebird patterns photographed in The Songless Aviary, Brian Cullity. The example in the upper left looks like the exact pattern for this decoy. Written in Crowells hand writing is “Spoted peep”
208 Detail
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208 Detail
208. Important and rare running sandpiper, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Head is slightly cocked. Carved primaries and shoe button eyes. Well blended paint detail. Near mint original paint; two tiny holes in one side where a display tag was once stapled to the decoy.
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Literature: “Songless Aviary,” Brian Cullity. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (40,000 - 50,000)
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208A Detail
208A
208A. Very rare ruddy turnstone gunning decoy from Toronto Harbor, last quarter 19th century. On the original wire legs and wooden base. Original paint that has darkened with age; professional repair to tip of bill by Cameron McIntyre; very lightly hit by shot.
Provenance: This decoy was a recent find and has never been to auction. It was part of the Southam Family rig of shorebirds documented in “Traditions in Wood,” Patsy Flemming. (4,000 - 6,000)
Sportsman hunting shorebirds with this rig in the Toronto Waterfront area of Lake Ontario 106
209Detail
209
209. Rare golden plover in summer plumage, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts, circa 1900. Shoe button eyes and slightly lifted bill. Original paint with slight shrinkage and wear; wear on one side and top of bill; structurally excellent.
Literature: Shorebird Decoys,” John Levinson and Somers Headly. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (30,000 - 35,000)
209 Detail
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210. Golden plover, from the Morton rig, Quincy, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Branded “WJ Morton”. Carved eyes and raised “V” carved wingtips. Original paint with minor wear; small dents in underside; bill is an old replacement; small chip missing from back of head where the bill goes through.
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Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (1,750 - 2,250)
211.
“Lincoln type” golden plover, Hingham, Massachusetts, circa 1900. Tack eyes. Original paint; minor wear; very lightly hit by shot; three piece body construction with slight separation at some of the seams. (1,500 - 2,000)
212. Black bellied plover, Harris Family, Brigantine New Jersey. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good.
Literature: “New Jersey Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., p. 180. (1,000 - 1,400)
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213 Detail
213 Detail
213. Rare running sandpiper, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Carved primaries and shoe button eyes. Original paint with good patina and very slight wear; bill is a professional replacement; professional repair to a chip at the tip of the wingtips; two tiny holes in one side where a display tag was once attached. (20,000 - 25,000)
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The greater yellowlegs call is a series of musical whistles. It is a very noisy bird. It often runs in shallow water and bobs its head up and down when it spots a potential predator. It is more solitary than most shorebirds, but it does migrate in groups. It has a high stepping walk and will sometimes run with its neck stretched out. It also swims on the water from time to time to get to more shallow waters or to escape predators.
214 Detail 110
214. Greater yellowlegs, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Gunning model with tack eyes. Approximately 12” long. Very strong original paint with slight wear; tiny dent in one side.
Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. “Shorebird Decoys,” Somers Headly and John Levinson. (25,000 - 35,000)
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Artwork 215
215. Oil on canvas of a duck hunter, Churchill Ettinger (19031984). Signed. Image size approximately 25” x 20”. Very good and origianl. Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(6,000 - 9,000)
An avid outdoorsman, Churchill Ettinger was commissioned by top sporting magazines to produce “covers” using his oil paintings. Additionally, Ettinger illustrated Derrydale’s “The Happy End,” written in 1939 by the great American novelist Ben Ames Williams, with nine sketches of fishing and hunting reminiscences. Ettinger’s work can be found in the permanent collections of the Boston Public Library, Dartmouth College, the Ford Foundation, the Library of Congress, the Museum of Art and Archeology, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. 112
February 1934
As a young man, Aiden Lassell Ripley studied at the Fenway School of Illustration in Boston. He joined the Army during World War I and served as an infantryman and in the military band. After his discharge in 1919, Ripley returned to New England to study with Frank Benson and Philip Hale at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts where he specialized in landscapes. Along with Ogden Pleissner, Aiden Ripley is known as the preeminent painter of sporting scenes of the twentieth century. He worked mainly in watercolor but also in oil, etching, and drypoint. In the 1930s and 40s, he illustrated several books for Derrydale Press, and in 1942, he won the Federal Duck Stamp competition with his American Widgeon. His work can be found in the collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
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216. Watercolor of an upland game hunter with dog, Aiden Lassell Ripley (1896 - 1969). Signed and dated 1937. Image size approximately 16” x 22”. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(9,000 - 12,000)
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217 Detail
Arthur Burdett Frost was born in Philadelphia in 1851 and from an early age enjoyed hunting, fishing, rowing, and fencing. Frost found early success as an artist when, at the age of 23, nearly 400 of his illustrations were used in the popular and comical ‘Out of the Hurly Burly’ by Charles Heber Clarke. He continued as a prolific illustrator for Harper’s Weekly, Scribner’s, Collier’s, Century, and Life magazines, as well as over 100 published books, including the wildly popular Uncle Remus tales by Joel Chandler Harris. As busy of a commercial artist as Frost was, and no matter where he and his young family moved, he always found time to hunt ducks, shorebirds, rail, and ducks, as well as upland game. Today A.B. Frost is most remembered for his hunting and shooting scenes. In ‘The A.B. Frost Book’, author Henry M. Reed explains how as “a sportsman himself, Frost was able to vividly portray the feelings and experience of hunting in his imagery. The appeal of Frost’s shooting pictures lies in the fact that the viewer can relate to the subject and the situation depicted. Every scene portrayed is one that each of us who has hunted with dog and gun has experienced.” In 1895 Charles Scribner’s Sons published ‘Shooting Pictures’, a portfolio of 12 lithographs after original works by Arthur B. Frost. The success and popularity of this folio lead to Scribner’s releasing a second entitled ‘The Day’s Shooting’ in 1903. A portfolio of 6 chromolithographs after Frost’s original paintings, this second group of images included the companion pieces ‘Good Luck’ and ‘Bad Luck’. In ‘Bad Luck’ the two hunters are returning to the dock with a single drake bufflehead, pockets still heavy with unfired shells, wearing long and blank expressions on their faces. The fact that “the ducks weren’t flying” likely blamed on the good weather, but they aren’t slowing down to talk about it. In ‘Good Luck’ the subjects return with a heavy load of bluebills and redheads with the hint of smiles on their faces. One hunter takes the time to enjoy a celebratory pipe after a great days shoot. Only an artist who had experience in the field could so accurately portray the emotions in a composition like ‘Good Luck’. The rain coming down in sheets, the North wind blowing 20 knots, but the warmth of success making it all the more tolerable. Back to the wind, one hunter admires his day’s bag while enjoying his favorite tobacco. His companion, head bent to the blowing rain, approaches where the two will likely share a good laugh as they acknowledge their days good luck. The prints from the Frost folios have graced the homes and shooting haunts of distinguished sportsmen for over a century. The opportunity to acquire one of the original artworks these prints were made from is truly a rare occasion and shouldn’t be overlooked.
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217. “Good Luck,” an important watercolor by Arthur Burdett Frost (1851 1928). Signed. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 23 1/2” x 16”. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(70,000 - 90,000)
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Percival Rosseau was born of French descent in Pointe Coupée Parish, Louisiana, on September 21, 1859. His father and two older brothers were killed during the Civil War; his mother had also died, and the Union General W. T. Sherman destroyed the family plantation during the Mississippi campaign. Rosseau and his sister were rescued by a slave, and the two were raised by a family friend in Kentucky. Rosseau was educated in a private school and taught to shoot and fish by his guardian. He began working at seventeen, trying his hand at various trades to earn a living for himself and a dowry for his sister. He worked as a cowboy along the Chisholm Trail from Mexico to Kansas for six years, then purchased a stand of timber with an eye toward entering the lumber business. The venture failed when the logs sank to the bottom of the river, while he was rafting them along the water. He eventually owned an import business which provided him with enough income that he retired at age 35. Leaving the business in the hands of a partner, Rosseau sailed to Paris, France to study art at the Académie Julian. His painting of a pair of Irish wolfhounds won such acclaim at the 1904 Paris Salon exhibition that his destiny as a painter of dogs was cast. Returning to the United States, he found a ready market for his work among wealthy gentlemen sportsmen. He captured the “tense action of hunting dogs and usually showed them in a romantic landscape.”
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218. “Honoring,” an oil on canvas of two hunting dogs by Percival Rosseau (1859 - 1937). Signed by the artist. Image size approximately 15” x 18”. Very good and original. 116
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(20,000 - 30,000)
Growing up in Kansas, Francis Lee Jaques witnessed many migrations of ducks and geese. As a teenager, he painted watercolors of birds in their natural environment and illustrated some of his father’s Field and Stream articles. In 1917, Jaques enlisted in the Army and was sent to San Francisco for artillery training. While in San Francisco, he visited the California Academy of Sciences and decided to pursue a career as a museum artist. In 1924, at the age of 37, Jaques sent two paintings as an application to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He was hired, sight unseen.
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219. “Through the trees,” oil on canvas by Francis Lee Jaques (1887 1969). Signed by the artist. Image size approximately 30” x 24”. Very small worn area in each lower corner; a few tiny paint rubs at bottom center. Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Literature: “The Shape of Things: The Art of Francis Lee Jaques”, Patricia Condon Johnston, pg. 88, exact painting pictured. (12,500 - 17,500) 117
“Chance Shot While Setting Out Decoys”
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In addition to the two portfolios that Scribner’s released in 1895 and 1903 respectively, the Derrydale Press published a set of four prints after original works by A.B. Frost in 1933 – 1934. These were released after Frost’s death and only about 200 were ever produced making them the rarest of all Frost shooting prints. One of the four works in the Derrydale set was ‘A Chance Shot While Setting Out Decoys’. The image depicts a situation every waterfowl hunter is familiar with. Having his decoys only partially set and the dawn light silhouetting his target, the hunter decides to take a rushed, chance shot. Having been preoccupied with setting out his rig, the hunter’s layout boat is surely rocking more than he would like. The weight and line of the last decoy tossed still rests in the bottom of the boat and if the target is missed, will certainly be blamed for tangling up the shot. A classic hunting scene that was created nearly a century ago, yet would look exactly the same if it was to happen tomorrow.
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220 Detail
220. “Chance Shot While Setting Out Decoys,” an important watercolor by Arthur Burdett Frost, (1851 - 1928). Professionally matted and framed to a museum standard and protected by UV glass. Image size approximately 17” x 25”. Signed by the artist. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Purchased from Drew Holl.
(50,000 - 70,000)
220 Detail
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221. Watercolor winter scene of duck hunters leaving blind as ducks come in, Chet Reneson (b.1934). Professionally matted and framed. Signed. Image size approximately 17 1/2” x 28”. Very good. (2,000 - 3,000) 222. “Doves in Pines,” a watercolor by David Hagerbaumer (1929-2014). Signed and dated 1982. Professionally
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triple matted and framed. Image size approximately 13” x 18”. Very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750) 223. Watercolor of mallards landing in swamp, David Hagerbaumer (1929-2014). Signed. Professionally double matted and framed. Image size approximately 11” x 13 1/2”. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
In “The Art of Ogden M. Pleissner” by Peter Bergh, the artist explains that “There is a famous shooting club at Long Point up in Lake Erie, on the Canadian side.” “I went up there with Trubee Davison, who wanted me to paint some pictures in the area.” He then tells a story of how he had been making watercolor sketches of the place and fell in love with a ship’s figurehead of an Indian that was perched atop a pole near the dock. The figurehead eventually became Pleissner’s prized possession after he traded a watercolor sketch for it with the caretaker who owned it. Lot 224 was painted at the Long Point shooting club in 1955 and lead to the work entitled “Canvasbacks Over Long Point” done in the same year.
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224. “A Marshy Blind,” a watercolor sketch by Ogden Pleissner (19051983). Signed on each lower corner. Painting depicts two hunters in a blind at Long Point, Ontario Image size 7” x 10”. Professionally matted and framed. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(9,500 - 12,500)
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225 225. Oil on canvas of a lake in the mountains, J. Hammerstad (18421925). Signed. Image size approximately 26” x 24”. Original and good. (1,500 - 2,000)
Born in Norway, on April 19, 1842, J. Hammerstad emigrated to the US in 1869 and settled in Chicago, Illinois. Primarily a landscape painter, his works stand out through their realism and use of color, with many of them sold to Chicagoans for their Victorian homes.
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226. Oil on canvas of two mallards, Daniel Loge (b.1954). Signed. Image size approximately 14” x 19”. Very good and original. (500 - 800)
227. Oil on canvas of flying mergansers, Daniel Loge (b.1954). Signed. Image size approximately 19” x 27”. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
Roland Clark is particularly known for his oil paintings of sporting scenes and birds. He grew up hunting waterfowl in the marshes of the Long Island Sound and studied under J. Carroll Beckwith at the Art Students League. Clark traveled extensively on hunting trips, shooting and sketching different species of birds. In 1931, Clark wrote his first book, “Stray Shots,” which narrated and illustrated hunting experiences, including thirteen original drypoints. He published “Gunner’s Dawn” in 1937, which, again, discussed hunting experiences, but this time included original drypoints, drawings, and reproductions of oil paintings. A year later, Clark was selected to create the 1938 Federal Duck Stamp Design.
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228. “Widgeon and Teal,” an oil on canvas of ducks landing in marsh by Roland Clark (1874 - 1957). Signed. Image size approximately 18” x 24”. Very good and original. Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(14,000 - 18,000)
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229. “Hazy Morning Explosion Ruffed Grouse,” an oil on canvas by Mark Hanson. Signed. Image size approximately 20” x 24”. Very good and original.
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Provenance: collection.
Private Southern (800 - 1,200)
230. Oil on canvas of a duck hunter in a boat. Signed “W. Harlander, 1930”. Image size approximately 24” x 30”. Good. (500 - 800)
231. Hanging game watercolor, William Henry Machen (18321911). In deep gilded Victorian frame. Image size approximately 22” x 16”. Painting is very good; frame good. (2,000 - 3,000)
In 1848, William Machen’s family immigrated from Germany and settled in Toledo, Ohio. He was a naturalist by inclination and studied extensively in that area. In his lifetime, William Machen completed more than 2,700 oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sketches. He maintained a single register of his works, which is now preserved in the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. He exhibited his work at the Pennsylvania Academy, the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and the Detroit Museum of Art.
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232. “Chance Shot While Setting Out Decoys,” a hand colored lithograph of the famous Arthur Burdett Frost watercolor by the same name. Published by Derrydale Press printed by Harpers Brothers in 1934. Limited edition of 200. Very good and untrimmed. (1,200 - 1,600) 233. Etching entitled hunting for pheasant, Aiden Lassell Ripley. Signed and titled in the margin with pencil. Image size approximately 9 1/2” x 14 1/2”. Excellent and original.
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Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(1,200 - 1,500)
234. Three large upland game prints, Aiden Lassel Ripley. “The Turkey Blind,” “A Turkey Drive,” and “Wood Cock Hunting.” Published by Frost and Read Ltd. Of Bristol and London England. Very good and original. (950 - 1,250)
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John James Audubon’s Birds of America, printed between 1827 and 1838, contains 435 life-sized images of a verity of North American birds. The plates are hand colored engravings after the originals paintings by Audubon and are the most sought after pieces of art in this medium. Audubon portrayed both the male and female of the wild turkey, Meleagris gallapavo, for his ambitious work, and used the male as the first plate with the female and chicks as plate six. They were both part of the original ten works that Audubon used to try and garner support for the publication of the full folio.
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235. Hand colored engraving of a hen turkey with young titled, “Great American Hen & Young,” John J. Audubon. 25” x 37 7/8”. “Female Hen and Young, Wild Turkey”, Plate 6, hand colored engraving with aquatint, from Birds of America. Engraved by Lizar. Slight wear at bottom edge. (30,000 - 40,000)
235 Detail
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236. Black bellied plover, hand colored engraving by John J. Audubon. Printed and colored by R. Havell, 1836. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 17 1/2” x 23”. Very good.
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Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery, Lot 102, in Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog. (4,000 - 5,000)
The painting from which this print was made was done in Boston during the winter of 1832-33, using a living crane as the model. Audubon’s background is intended to be of Florida sandhills.
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237. Hooping crane, hand colored engraving by John J. Audubon. Printed and colored by R. Havell, 1835. Professionally matted and famed. Images size approximately 37 1/2” x 24”. Original and good. (55,000 - 75,000)
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238. “Old Tom,” an etching by Frank W. Benson (1862-1951). 1926. Edition of 150 (Paff, 246). Signed in pencil by the artist. Image size approximately 15 1/2” x 10”. Professionally matted and framed. Very good and original.
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Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(4,500 - 5,500)
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239. Seven Minnesota state limited edition migratory waterfowl stamp prints. 1984 - 1990. Stamps are included. All are signed and numbered. Original and good. (400 - 600) 240. Pencil sketch of grouse flying, David Maass (b.1929). Signed. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 8” x 9 1/2”. (400 - 600)
241. “A Deer Family,” a restrike engraving by Thomas Landseer (1795-1880). Hand colored in watercolor. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 33” x 23”. Excellent and original. (400 - 600) 242. Westminster Pit. An old lithograph of dog fighting in England. Image size approximately 14” x 20”. Minor staining otherwise good. (400 - 600)
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Factory Decoys
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243. Very rare rigmate pair of “double blue” bluewing teal, Evans Decoy Factory, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Evans ink stamp is on the undersides. Fine comb paint detail on head and loop scratch feather paint on drake. Near mint original paint; structurally very good.
Literature: “North American Factory Decoys,” Ken Trayer. “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli. (9,000 - 12,000)
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244. Two greenwing teal drakes, Tule Lake Decoy Company, Sacramento, California, circa 1920. Hollow model with breast plugs. Both have scratch paint detail. One is stamped Woodwards, Tule Lake. Original paint that has darkened with age; chips missing from neck filler; breast plugs are a little loose.
Literature: “Wildfowl Decoys of Pacific Coast,” Mike Miller and Fred Hanson, p. 355 top. (1,500 - 2,000)
244 245. Redhead drake, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1880s. Near mint original paint; a few tiny chips missing from neck filler. (1,750 - 2,250)
246. Bluewing teal hen and drake, Hays Decoy Factory, Jefferson City, Missouri. Original paint; very minor wear; age split in underside of hen that was repaired in factory with small nails and a piece of cedar shingle; small cracks and chips missing from neck filler; small cracks in underside of drake.
245
Provenance: Drake was formerly in the collection of Roger Ludwig. Both were more recently in the collection of Richard Clayton. (1,000 - 1,400)
247. Rare pair of “fat head” model mallards, Evans Decoy Factory, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Original paint with moderate wear; a few small dents and shot marks; one neck seam has been reglued.
246
Literature: “North American Factory Decoys,” Ken Trayer. (500 - 800)
248. Very rare scoter with slightly turned head, Hays Decoy Factory, Jefferson City, Missouri. Original paint with minor wear; crack in one side; small white marking behind each eye appears to have been touched up; small dents.
247 134
248
Provenance: Mallar collection. (400 - 600)
249 Detail
This rigmate pair is from a group of seven found in Michigan, in the 1990’s. At that time they were the first Mammouth redheads seen in this quality. Mammoth Redheads are among the rarest Evans decoys, more so than teal.
249
249. Very rare rigmate pair of Mammoth redheads, Evans Decoy Factory, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Both have the “Evans” ink stamp on the underside. Near mint original paint; barely used; professional touchup to a few small flakes; drake has been lightly hit by shot on one side; hen has a hairline surface crack on one side. Literature: “North American Factory Decoys,” Ken Trayer. (6,500 - 9,500)
249 Detail
135
250
251
253
252
254
250. Rare rigmate pair of pintails, Hays Decoy Factory, Jefferson City, Missouri. Near mint original paint; small crack in hen’s neck filler; approximately 2/3 of drake’s neck filler is missing.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(650 - 950)
251. Pair of Perdew style mallards, Pratt Decoy Factory, Joliet, Illinois. Original paint with minor wear; numerous dents and worn spots on lower sides of drake; hen has been lightly hit by shot. (650 - 950) 252. Great horned owl, Herter’s Decoy Factory, Waseca, Minnesota. Glass eyes and bear claw bill. Original paint with minor wear; minor wear to edges of relief carved wings; thin crack in one side of breast; filler missing where bear claw joins head. (650 - 950) 136
255
253. Rare snow goose, Wildfowler Factory, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Wildfowler stamp on underside. Also signed and dated 1972 by Charles Birdsall. “W Keim” is painted under the bill. Near mint original paint with very slight discoloration on lower sides; structurally excellent. (350 - 450) 254. Oversize Atlantic model black duck, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Original paint with a few small dents and worn areas to the paint. (250 - 350) 255. Two decoys, Herter’s Decoy Factory, Waseca, Minnesota. A teal drake and a mallard drake. Very good and original. (300 - 400)
256
257
258
259
260
256. Rare rigmate pair of redheads, Evans Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Evans stamp on underside. Near mint original paint; very minor wear on top of hen’s head; minor paint loss at each neck seam. (3,000 - 4,000) 257. Bluebill hen, Peterson Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; small defects in wood in underside; one eye is missing; crack in neck filler with one fairly large piece missing. (800 - 1,200) 258. Mallard hen, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with moderate wear; small dents and shot marks; most of the neck filler has been replaced; small cracks in neck; two small nails
added to one side of head.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(800 - 1,200)
259. Very rare bluewing teal drake, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Slightly turned head. Branded “Boardman” in one side. Original paint with minor wear; filler missing from neck base; small defect in one lower side; lightly hit by shot. (800 - 1,200) 260. Mallard hen, Dodge Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with minor wear; much of the neck filler is missing; small cracks; decoy was never rigg ed. (650 - 950) 137
Jim Schmiedlin
1945 - 2015 Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania 260A. Bluebill hen, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded and signed. Dated 10/90. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; some flaking on the keel. (3,000 - 5,000)
260A
261. Decorative widgeon drake, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded, signed, and dated 1984. Slightly turned head, carved crossed wingtips and fluted tail. Very good and original. (2,250 - 2,750)
261
262. Decorative bluewing teal drake in preening pose, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Lifted wingtip on backside of carving. Branded “JAS”. Near mint original paint that has darkened slightly with age. (2,250 - 2,750)
262
263. Gadwall drake, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded on underside and dated 11/01. Slightly turned head. Excellent and original. (4,000 - 6,000)
263 138
264
265
264. Rigmate pair of mergansers, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Both are branded and labeled on underside. Both have slightly turned heads. Original paint with minor wear; a few tiny dents. (6,000 - 9,000)
265. Rigmate pair of scoters, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Both have slightly turned heads and good relief wing carving. Both are branded, signed and dated 9-2000. Very good and original. (6,500 - 9,500)
139
Hurley Conklin
1913 - 1991 Manahawkin, New Jersey
267
266
268
269
270
266. Hollow carved great grey heron, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Signed on bottom of base. Very good and original. (1,750 - 2,250) 267. Three brant, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. All are branded “H Conklin.” One has a thin crack through the neck; otherwise original and good.
140
Provenance: The one without the crack has the Hillman collection stamp on underside. (1,250 - 1,750)
268.
Rare pair of wood ducks, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both have slightly turned heads and branded “H Conklin.” Very slight paint shrinkage under the tail of each, otherwise very good and original. (900 - 1,200)
269. Large pair of pintails, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both are branded “H Conklin” and have slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (650 - 950) 270. Pair of bluewing teal, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both are branded “H Conklin” and have slightly turned heads. Very slight wear on underside of drake; otherwise very good and original. (650 - 950)
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
271. Greenwing teal hen and drake, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both are signed and have slightly turned heads. Drake is branded “HC”. Hen is branded “H Conklin”. Very slight paint shrinkage under hen’s tail, otherwise very good and original. (600 - 900)
275. Ruddy duck hen and drake, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Very good and original. (600 - 900)
272. Pair of bluebills, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both are branded “H Conklin”. Very good and original. (600 - 900)
276. Bluewing teal drake, Sean Sutton. Carver’s name is stamped in the weight. Hollow carved with incised wing carving. Excellent and original. (300 - 400)
273. Pair of mergansers, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both are branded “H Conklin”. Very slight wear on one edge of hen’s tail, otherwise very good and original. (500 - 700)
277. Two shorebirds, Hurley Conklin. Both are on original signed bases. Original and good. (350 - 450)
274. Rare pair of redheads, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Both are branded “H Conklin” and have
slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (500 - 800)
278. Preening mallard, Hurley Conklin, Manahawkin, New Jersey. Unbranded. Original paint with minor wear on the underside; structurally very good. (400 - 600)
141
Paintings 279
Harry Antis (1942 2002) was a painter of North American waterfowl, big game, and upland game birds. Many of his paintings have been reproduced as prints
280
279. Acrylic on board of big horned sheep, Harry Antis (1942-2002). Signed and dated 1979. Image size approxiamtely 24” x 42”. Very good and original.
Provenance: Miller collection.
(2,500 - 3,500)
280. “Lifting Off,” a watercolor of flying Canada geese, Kenneth Carlson (b.1937). Signed. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 23 1/2” x 17.5”. Some staining on matting otherwise very good and original.
142
Provenance: Miller collection.
(2,000 - 3,000)
281 282
281. Acrylic on board of partridge in snow, Harry Antis (1942-2002). Signed and dated 1981. Image size approximately 24” x 30”. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Miller collection. (1,500 - 2,000)
282. Acrylic on board of a mule deer in the forest, Harry Antis (19422002). Signed and dated 1982. Image size approximately 20” x 16 1/2”. Very good and original.
Provenance: Miller collection. (2,000 - 3,000)
143
283
283. Charcoal and watercolor scene of a fisherman startled by a brown bear, William Koelpin (19381996). Signed. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 12” x 10”. Very good and original.
284
Provenance: Miller collection.
(1,000 - 1,500)
284. “Hungry Honkers,” an acrylic on board by Don Rodell (1932-2003). Signed. Image size approximately 17” x 13”. Very good and original.
Provenance: Miller collection.
(1,200 - 1,500)
Rodell’s paintings are in collections all over the world, including the Phillip Anschuz collection, Douglas E. Miller collection, Nicotaysen Museum in Wyoming, Leigh Yawkee Woodson Museum in Wisconsin, National History Museum in Las Vegas, and the Grand Teton National Park Visitor Center Collection.
144
285
286
285. “Trumpeter Swans,” a watercolor by Don Rodell (1932-2003). Signed. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 17” x 28”. Very good and original.
286. “Blue Geese,” a watercolor by Richard Evans Younger (1928 – 2008). Signed and dated 1971. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 15” x 24”. Very good and original.
Provenance: Miller collection.
(1,500 - 2,000)
Provenance: Miller collection.
(1,000 - 1,500)
145
287
288
287. Oil on canvas of flying partridge, Floyd Hubbard. Signed, “Floyd Hubbard 1980.” Image size approximately 24” x 36”. Very good and original. (600 - 900)
288. Oil on canvas of standing old squaw, William Koelpin (1938-1996), Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Signed and dated 1972. Image size approximately 20” x 25”. Very good and original.
146
Provenance: Miller collection.
(950 - 1,250)
289A
289
289B
289. Vintage oil on canvas of a salmon. Unsigned. Image size approximately 20” x 10”. Original and good.
Provenance: Miller collection.
(800 - 1,200)
289A. Small oil on celluloid of flying geese, Roland Clark (1874-1957). Signed. Approximately 4” x 5”. Very good and original. (350 - 450) 289B. Hanging grouse oil on board, Reginald Bolles (1860-1960). Signed and dated 1935. Image size approximately 35” x 25”. Thin cracks in board; some cracking to paint. (650 - 950)
147
Ontario
290
291
292
293
294
295
290. Hollow carved mallard drake from Ontario. Branded “AH Buhl” “FH Walker”, and initials “SH” are painted on underside. Appealing old in use repaint; structurally very good. (1,500 - 2,000) 291. Hollow carved redhead drake, John R. Wells, Toronto, Ontario, circa 1900. Old overpaint has been taken off of the decoy; black areas have been strengthened; bill has been broken off and reset.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates, p. 67. (1,250 - 1,750)
292. Hollow carved canvasback drake from the St. Clair Flats, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; a few small dents. (1,200 - 1,500) 148
293. Black duck from Belleville, Ontario. Good form with high neck and incised wing carving. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,500) 294. Pair of mallards from Prince Edward County, Ontario, circa 1930s. Original paint with minor wear; hen has been lightly hit by shot.
Provenance: Used in a hunting club in Manitoba. (1,000 - 1,500)
295. Hollow carved black duck from Ontario, circa 1900. Tack eyes. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (800 - 1,200)
296
297
298
299
300
301
301A
296. Hollow carved black duck, Robert Gilbert, Hamilton, Ontario, 2nd quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear; flaking on underside and under tail. (800 - 1,200)
299. Hollow carved pintail drake from the St. Clair Flats, last quarter 19th century. Much of the paint has been restored; some of the paint on head is original with minor wear; a few small dents and shot marks. (600 - 900)
297. Black duck in swimming pose, David Kavanagh, Athens, Ontario, 1st quarter 20th century. Relief wingtip carving. Original paint with minor wear; small dents; tiny chip missing from tip of tail. (600 - 900)
300. Hollow carved black duck, Sanford Gorsline, Demorestville, Ontario, circa 1900. Original paint with minor to moderate shrinkage and wear; repair to a chip in one side of tail and the neck base.
298. Hollow carved black duck, Burleigh Brothers, Toronto, Ontario, circa mid 20th century. Relief wing carving. Very good and original.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates, p. 73. (600 - 900)
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates, p. 139. (600 - 900)
301.
Black duck, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. Near mint original paint; structurally excellent. (650 - 950)
301A. Swimming Canada goose, Jim Gatreau, Lossier Settlement, New Brunswick. Old in use repaint; numerous small cracks. (250 - 350) 149
302
305
308
303
304
306
307
309
310
302. Black duck, Billy Ellis, Whitby, Ontario. Good feather paint detail. Original paint with slight wear; very lightly hit by shot; hairline crack in underside.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates. (800 - 1,200)
303. Hollow carved black duck from the Toronto Harbor area. Old in use repaint; hit by shot. (500 - 800) 304. Hollow carved mallard hen, from Toronto Harbor, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with minor wear; old touchup at bottom board seam to prevent water leakage. (500 - 800) 305. Black duck, Tom Chambers, Toronto, Ontario. Solid body style. Branded “HNT” for Harry Torrey. Two piece body construction. Appealing old in use repaint; crack in back; around a dozen shot scars. (500 - 800) 306. Black duck, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. Original paint; minor wear; several filled shot scars in one side. (500 - 700) 150
307. Hollow carved bluebill hen in content pose. Incised wing carving. Original paint with minor wear; small specs of off white paint on back. (500 - 800) 308. Hollow carved bluebill hen, George Warin, Toronto, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; small cracks; small rough spot in one lower side. (400 - 600) 309. Hollow carved “lowhead” style black duck, Tom Chambers, Toronto, Ontario, circa 1900. Old in use repaint; a few small dents and shot marks. (400 - 600) 310. Redhead drake, George Warin, Toronto, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Hollow carved. Appealing old in use repaint; hit by shot; hairline crack in bill; small knot missing from one side of tail. (400 - 600)
Bronzes Lots 311, 312, 316, and 316A are limited edition castings Doug and Ellen Miller had made for the Wildlife World Museum in Monument, Colorado in the 1970s. They were used as gifts to donors and to sell at fundraisers.
311
311. Limited edition bronze of a woodcock standing on leaves, Jim Foote (19252004), Gilbraton, Michigan. Number 4 of 15. Signed. Approximately 8� tall. Very good and original.
Provenance: Miller collection. (3,000 - 4,000)
312. Limited edition bronze of green herons in swamp, William Koelpin (1938-1996), Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Number 12 of 45. Signed. Approximately 26� tall. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Miller collection. (5,000 - 8,000)
312 151
313. Bronze of dog chasing ducks, Mark Garretson. Limited edition 14/30. Signed and dated 1980. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
313
314. Bronze of dog with duck, Ferdinand Pautrot (1832-1874). Approximately 12 1/4” tall. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,400)
314
315
152
315. Full size ring neck pheasant, Dave Turner (b.1961). Signed, “33 of 100”. Approximately 26” long. Excellent and original. (1,250 - 1,750)
316. Limited edition bronze of a screech owl with a mouse, William Koelpin (1938-1996). Number 7 of 25. Signed. Approximately 14� tall. Very good and original.
Provenance: Miller collection. (3,000 - 4,000)
316 316A. Limited edition bronze of a tree duck, William Koelpin (1938-1996). Number 7 of 25. Signed. Approximately 17� tall. Bronze depicts tree duck standing on piece of drift wood in mud with decoy head below. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Miller collection. (4,000 - 6,000)
316A 153
New York State
317
318
319
320 317. Full size turkey decoy found in Cuba, New York, circa 1950. Wooden lathe construction with jesso over body. Height is approximately 34” and 39” long. One of two seen by this maker. The other is in a southern collection. Original paint has flaked in some areas. (2,500 - 3,500) 318. Goldeneye hen, Chauncey Wheeler, Alexandria Bay, New York. Original paint with moderate discoloration and minor wear; small dents and shot marks.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of Roy Bull, Bull collection brand in underside. (950 - 1,250)
319. Rigmate pair of mallards, Robert Mittlestadt, Rochester, New York. Original paint with minor wear; separation at body seams; small cracks. 154
321
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(1,200 - 1,800)
320. Two bluebills, Sam Denny, Clayton, New York, circa 1920s. One is from the Shack Canell rig, Clayton, New York. Both are a mix of original paint with minor wear and old in use repaint; several small dents; small gouge near tail on one. (1,250 - 1,750) 321. Bluebill hen, Chauncey Wheeler, Alexandria Bay, New York, circa 1920s. Original paint with minor wear on much of the decoy; old in use repaint on lower sides and white area of face, also on bill; hairline crack in one side of neck; several tiny shot marks; chip missing from end of tail.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Somers Headly, Headly collection stamp in underside. (1,500 - 2,000)
322
323
322. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Joel Barber, Staten Island, New York. Both have inlet heads, the original keels, and the Barber decoys stamp in the undersides. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents. (5,000 - 7,000)
323. Bluebill drake, Chauncey Wheeler, Alexandria Bay, New York. Dry original paint with minor discoloration and wear; structurally good.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas. (3,000 - 4,000)
155
324
325
326
327
328
329
329A
324. Goldeneye hen, Gus Rogers, Alexandria Bay, New York. Original paint by Chauncey Wheeler with minor wear; moderate wear on head; decoy was made with a large piece of wood inserted through front half of underside. (900 - 1,200) 325. Bluebill drake, Stevens Brothers, Weedsport, New York, last quarter 19th century. Paint was restored a long time ago in its original style; minor roughness to one edge of bill.
Provenance: Old tag on underside reads, “Property of Oscar Johnston.” (600 - 900)
326. Rare swimming mallard drake, Roy Conklin, Alexandria Bay, New York. Neck crack repair, otherwise very good and original.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(600 - 900)
327. Large brant, Roy Conklin, Alexandria Bay, New York. Slightly turned head. Original paint; very minor 156
wear, mostly on underside; several small cracks in underside.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas. (450 - 650)
328. Sleeping black duck from Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Two piece body joined by small square dowels. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (400 - 600) 329. Wood duck drake, Ken Harris, Woodville, New York. Good comb paint detail on lower sides. Loop scratch feather painting on back. Excellent and original. (350 - 550) 329A. Large cormorant silhouette decoy, attributed to William Corwin, Bellport, New York. Original and good.
Literature: “The Art of the Decoy,” Adele Earnest, p. 88, rigmate. (350 - 550)
Stevens Brothers Weedsport, New York
329B 329B Detail
329B Detail
329B. Rare pintail hen, Stevens Brothers, Weedsport, New York, last quarter 19th century. “GW Stevens, Inc.” stamp on underside. Original paint with good patina and minor wear; wear is mostly on center of underside where the decoy appears to have spent a lot of time on a cement surface; also some flaking at a filled thin defect in the back and tail; defect was filled when the decoy was made; two thin scratches in lower back.
Literature: “Stevens Brothers Decoys,” Peter and Peggy Muller. “Stevens Decoys,” Shane Newell. (9,000 - 12,000)
157
Fish
330
331
332
333
334
335
330. Group of spearing decoys, box, and two jig sticks, Edward J. Linke, 1894-1950, Wyandotte, Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Used in the Detroit River. Spearing box is painted with old, crazed red and yellow paint. Decoys have glass eyes. One has a wooden tail, the rest metal. Lengths vary from 4 3/4” to 6”. All have lead filled belly weights. All have original paint; one fish has flaking that exposes red primer; others have paint missing from belly and some small areas on fins where paint has flaked away. (800 - 1,200) 331. Eight fish decoys from Minnesota and Michigan. All vintage. Various states of condition. (800 - 1,200) 332. Four fish from Minnesota. Three by Leroy Howell and one by Herter’s Decoy Factory, Waseca, Minnesota. The red and white Howell measures 7 1/4” other two are 5”. Small red and white Howell has areas of paint wear on fins and one side that has been strengthened on body;
158
large sucker has damage to one fin; Herter’s has slight flaking at rear fin otherwise good and original. (500 - 700) 333. Three fish decoys. Two by Bud Stewart and one by Bear Creek Bait Co. Commercial grade sucker with three belly weights, very good and original. An early period sucker with multiple coats of paint and areas of chipping and flaking. A later period pan fish with small chips and wear. (500 - 800) 334. Rare decorative brook trout carving, Marvin Mason, Cheboygan, Michigan. Measures 6.5” in length. All wooden fins. Mouth is slightly open. Highly decorative. Excellent and original. (400 - 600) 335. Flip tail trout plaque, Bill Feasel, Green Springs, Ohio, circa 1990. Carved in the style of Oscar Peterson. Stamped “WF” and signed by Feasel on the back. Measures 41” x 10”. Very good and original. (500 - 700)
336
337
338
339
341
340
343
342 336.
337. Sturgeon spearing decoy, Wisconsin, 1st half 20th century. 18” in length and 2” wide. Inletted weights on underside. Copper fins and tack eyes. Second coat of working paint that has crazed on most of body; damage at tail; paint flaking on fins. (400 - 600) 338. Ten contemporary fish decoys signed R. Whitter, 2007. All have metal fins. They vary in length from approximately 6” - 10”. Very good and original. (350 - 450) 339. Fishing creel, Turtle Creel Company. Side hole with factory sticker on underside. Turtle trademark latch on top of flap. Light wear, otherwise good and original. (300 - 500) 340.
fish decoy, Pecor Fox, Mount Clemons, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. Both Goulette’s have with glass eyes and articulated hinged tails. Fox is wide fish with tack eyes. All measure 7” in length. Goulettes have thick paint that appears to be original; Fox Original paint; flaking on fins and underside of body; chew marks at head and under mouth and tail; top half of tail is probably an old replacement; partial replacement to top half of tail. (500 - 750)
Approximately 13” long fish decoy, George Aho. Curved wooden body with metal fins. Original and good. (350 - 450)
Three fish decoys, two Jacob Goulette, Mount Clemons, Michigan, 1st half 20th century and one brown trout
341. Large walleye spearing fish decoy, probably Andrew Trombley, Mount Clemons, Michigan. With Trombley shaped fins. 11” in length. Paint appears to be a very old second coat; missing one eye; chips at tail. (400 - 600) 342.
Perch fish decoy, Oscar Peterson, Cadillac, Michigan. 7” in length. Two belly weights. Tack eyes. Original paint with flaking on fins, body and belly weights. (400 - 600)
343. Rare Heddon four point spearing decoy, Dowagiac, Michigan, 1st half 20th century. Glass eyes and green scales. Appears to have 4 belly weights. Strong original paint with a few areas of rubs and abrasions. (300 - 500) 159
Midwest 343A. Early “white sided” mallard, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. Good feather paint detail and combing. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; a few tiny dents. Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. (4,000 - 6,000)
343A 343B. Very rare bluebill drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa 1915. Early Perdew weight. Stamped “MFG. by H. Perdew. Henry ILLS.” Original paint with good feather detail and minor wear on most of the decoy; black area has old repaint.
Provenance: Joe French collection. “JF” brand in underside. (3,500 - 4,500)
343B 343C. Rare mallard hen, Bernard Ohnmacht, Lafayette, Minnesota. Original paint with slight flaking and wear; chip missing and crack in underside.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas. (1,500 - 2,000)
343C
343D. Dove on wire legs, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Raised carved wingtips and glass eyes. Very good and original; protected by its original coat of varnish.
Provenance: From a private Southern collection.
Literature: “Charles Perdew,” Ann Tandy Lacey. (2,500 - 3,500)
343D 160
Born in Durham County, England, Shaw came to the United States when he was seven, landing in New Orleans. The family then traveled up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers by steamboat to Lacon, where “Billy” spent the remainder of his life. He was a brick mason by trade but also worked as a painter, boat maker and later a sheriff. He is know to have made mallards, pintails, bluebills and a few teal. He carved in a style that became characteristic of the Lacon region.
344
345
344. Greenwing teal hen, Billy Shaw, Lacon, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Original paint with light shrinkage, mostly on back; very slight wear; structurally good. (6,000 - 9,000)
345. Redhead drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. “JS” is carved near the weight. “ALLBLCK” is faintly painted on the underside. Original paint with minor wear; lightly hit by shot on both sides.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Don Kirson, Kirson collection stamp on underside. (4,000 - 6,000)
161
346
347
346. Mallard hen, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa 1930. “RNM” is painted on the underside. Retains Perdew weight. Original paint with minor wear; thin surface crack in one side of neck; professional repair to tip of bill.
Provenance: Joe French collection. “JF” stamp in underside. (4,000 - 6,000)
347. Very rare bluebill hen, Charles Perdew, circa 1915, Henry, Illinois. Original paint with minor wear; weight is missing.
Provenance: Joe French collection. Formerly in the collection of Ed Moore. Moore stamp in underside as well as JF stamp.
Literature: “Charles Perdew,” Ann Tandy Lacy, page 153, exact decoy. (5,000 - 7,000)
162
348
349
348. Bluebill drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, last quarter 19th century. Branded “Carson” and “FSHF”. Fine comb paint detail. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; old tail chip repair; moderate discoloration at knot in underside.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Joe French, Marathon, Florida. Stamped “JB French” and French’s number “108” is on the underside. Purchased in 1957 from Frank Cotton Eckard the manager of Senachwine. Carson
was an original member and friend of George Sibley at the Hennippin Shooting Club. He then became a founding member at Senachwine club. (3,000 - 4,000) 349.
Mallard drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Slightly turned head. Near mint original paint; retains original weight; several small drops of reddish-brown paint on back.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(3,000 - 5,000)
163
350. Mallard hen, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Near mint original paint by Charlie Perdew; weight is missing; structurally very good. (2,500 - 3,500)
350 351. Very rare Canada goose, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. In alert pose with long swept back neck. Original paint with moderate wear; numerous small cracks; bottom board is missing and the decoy has been trimmed so no nail holes are showing from where the bottom board was applied. (1,750 - 2,250)
351 352. Pair of mallard ice ducks, Charles Schoenheider, Jr., Peoria, Illinois. Original paint with slight wear; small amount of paint loss at thin cracks in hen’s neck. (1,750 - 2,250)
352 164
353
354
355
358
356
357
359
360
353. Pintail drake, Hector Whittington, Ogelsby, Illinois. Slightly turned head. Very slight paint shrinkage on head; a few small dents and paint flakes missing; otherwise original and very good.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Harold Evans, Evans stamp in underside. (650 - 950)
354. Mallard drake, Charles Schoenheider, Sr., Peoria, Illinois, circa 1900. Old in use repaint; numerous small dents. Provenance: Mallar collection. Literature: “Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers, Editor. (600 - 900) 354A. Pintail hen from the Peoria area, first quarter 20th century. Detailed feather paint. “Harry Koepler” is carved into the underside. Original paint with minor wear, Very slight roughness to end of tail, a few small dents. (450 - 650) 355.
354A
Rigmate pair of bluebills, Hector Whittington, Oglesby, Illinois. Both are stamped, “Whittington” and dated 1965 on underside. Both have Whittington weights with “HLW” stamped in to weight. Drake has comb painted back. Original and good. (600 - 800)
356. Mallard drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa 1930s. Repainted by George Barto, Putnam, Illinois. Three small metal strips added to neck to strengthen crack. (400 - 600) 357. Canvasback drake, Hector Whittington, Ogelsby, Illinois. Stamped on underside, “Hec Whittington 1964”. Hollow with slightly turned head. Comb painting on back and sides. Carved tail feathers. Paint has darkened slightly; minor paint flaking; original and good. (400 - 600) 358. Pair of canvasbacks, Virgil Lashbrook, Pekin, Illinois. “Lashbrook” stamp in undersides. Darkened with age, otherwise very good and original. (350 - 450) 359. Pair of pintails, Robert Weeks. “Weeks” stamp in underside. Very good and original. (350 - 450) 360. Crow, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Old in use repaint; minor roughness to edge of bill; small cracks.
Provenance: Joe French collection.
Literature: “Decoys Collectors Guide,” 1972, p. 189. (250 - 350)
165
Contemporary Carvings
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
361. Hollow carved cackling goose, Marty Hanson, Prior Lake, Minnesota. Hanson ink stamp on underside. Also branded “JDC” twice. Raised “V” wingtip carving. Original paint that has been aged and worn; structurally good. (1,250 - 1,750) 362. Widgeon drake in content pose, Cameron McIntyre, Stockton, Virginia. “CTM” carved in the underside. Original paint that has been aged; structurally very good. (2,000 - 2,500) 363. Large preening swan, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Approximately 32” long. Several coats of paint; numerous cracks. (900 - 1,200) 364. Tern carved in the Long Island style, Cameron McIntyre, Stockton, Virginia. “CTM” carved in under-
166
side. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (750 - 1,000) 365. Pair of mallards, Armand Carney. Signed and dated 1979. Both have slightly turned heads and good paint detail. Very good and original. (500 - 800) 366. Hollow carved swan, Davison Hawthorne, Greenville, Delaware. Original and good. (500 - 800) 367. Canvasback drake, Keith Mueller, Killingsworth, Connecticut. Branded. Slightly turned head and carved crossed wingtips. Very good and original. (500 - 800) 368. Oversize mallard drake, George Strunk, Glendora, New Jersey. Signed and dated 1992. Hollow carved with slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; several very small dents and shot marks. (450 - 650)
369
372
375
370
371
373
374
376
369. Hollow carved brant, Ian McNair. Name carved in underside. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (450 - 650) 370. Cork bodied black duck, Ned Mayne and two shorebirds, Lou Renieri. Black duck signed and dated 1992. Two shorebirds signed and dated 2002. Both have slightly turned heads and feather carving. Excellent and original. (500 - 750) 371. Turtle with metal feet on the front, Lou Schifferl. Approximately 10” long. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (400 - 600) 372. Ringneck plover, David Ward, Essex, Connecticut. Stamped “DBW” in underside. Relief wingtip carving. Very good and original. (450 - 650) 373. Large red breasted merganser drake. Relief wing carving, inlet head and glass eyes. Original paint that has been aged; paint loss on much of the decoy. (400 - 600)
377 374. Curlew carved in the Eastern Shore tradition, Reggie Birch, Chincoteague, Virginia. Original paint that has been aged; cracks in body, shot marks throughout; chip missing near stick hole. (400 - 600) 375. Pair of bluebills, Del Herbert. Signed and dated 2006. Made from composite. Original and good.
Provenance: First prize winners in Bluebill Pair competition at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Show, Sacramento, California, 2006. (350 - 450)
376. Large pintail drake, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Large “C” carved in underside. Signed and dated 1989. Slightly turned head. Very good and original. (350 - 450) 377. Large silhouette greater yellowlegs, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Signed and dated 2000. Large “C” in underside. Original and good. (300 - 500)
End of Session One 167
Session Two
Friday, April 22, 2016 – 10:00 AM
Decoratives
378
379
381
380
383
382 378. Decorative wood duck drake, Joseph Wooster, Buckeye Lake, Ohio. Hollow carved with relief wing carving. Signed on the underside. Also ‘First Place Waterfowl Carving – 1971 International Decoy Contest’. With a paper sticker from that contest. Excellent and original. (1,500 - 2,500) 379. Black duck, Jimmie Vizier. Signed and dated 1996 with the inscription, “Black duck, best of show, Point Mouillee, Michigan. Carved special for Gene Orgeron.”Carved, crossed wingtips and fluted tail. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(1,500 - 2,500)
380. Pair of hooded mergansers, Joseph Wooster, Buckeye Lake, Ohio. Detailed wing and tail feather carving. Signed and dated 1970 on the undersides. Both with paper stickers from the International Decoy Contest 1970,
168
Davenport, Iowa. Minor discoloration and a very small paint rub on tip of drake’s bill, otherwise very good and original. (2,000 - 3,000) 381. Widgeon drake in resting pose, Jim Foote, Gibraltar, Michigan. Highly detailed feather carving and paint pattern. Signed. Very good and original. (1,250 - 1,750) 382. Pair of bluebills, Jim Foote, Gibraltar, Michigan. Both have slightly turned heads and detailed feather carving. Both are signed. Very good and original. (2,250 - 2,750) 383. Hollow carved pintail drake, Jim Foote, Gibraltar, Michigan. Signed and dated 1974. Detailed feather carving and slightly turned head. Near mint original paint that has darkened a little with age; structurally good. (1,000 - 1,500)
384.
Carving of two turtles on log in pond, John Sharp, Kent, Ohio. Signed and dated 1975. Original and good. (2,500 - 3,500)
384
385. Duck swimming in pond, a carving by John Sharp, Kent, Ohio. Signed and dated 1983. A carved leaf is floating in the pond. Original surface with minor cracking, otherwise good. (2,500 - 3,500)
385
386.
Carving of a heron in the marsh, John Sharp, Kent, Ohio. Signed and dated 1985. Approximately 35”tall. Small age split in stump; small cracks; small cracks in marsh grass; minor discoloration. (3,000 - 5,000)
Sharp’s carvings are one piece reductions from sections of logs of American hardwoods, primarily walnut and cherry. Beyond the initial use of chainsaws, the work is accomplished with hand cutting tools, many of which are his own make and design. His work has had a major influence on the interpretive class since its inception in 1988 having won the World Championship ten times. In 2005, he won Best in Show in Interpretive Wood Sculpture at the Ward World Championship with a pair of Parakeets.
386 169
387
388
389
390
391
392
387. Two decoys, Victor Paroyan. Signed and dated 1996. Canvasback hen and a merganser drake. Both have carved, crossed wingtips and detailed feather paint. Very good and original.
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(1,250 - 1,750)
388. Pair of shovelers, Tom Christie. Signed “Shanghi rig”and dated 1997. Both have raised, carved wingtips and good paint detail. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(800 - 1,200)
389. Greenwing teal hen, Jude Brunet, New Orleans, Louisiana. Inscribed in underside is, “Gulf South championship Jude Brunet, 97. Collection of Gene and Diane.”Decoy is also remarqued. Slightly turned nestle
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head. Carved crossed wingtips and good feather paint detail.
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(800 - 1,200)
390. Eskimo curlew on carved wooden base, Eddie Wozny, Cambridge, Maryland. Signed and dated 2012. Small “W”carved under base. Detailed feather carving. Excellent and original. (800 - 1,200) 391. Swimming greenwing teal hen, Jim Foote, Gibraltar, Michigan. Signed. Detailed feather carving. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 392. Hollow carved greenwing teal drake, Jim Foote, Gibraltar, Michigan. Signed. Detailed feather carving with raised crossed wingtips. Several small dents in underside otherwise very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
393
394
395
393. * “Sharp Shinned Hawk in Pine,” carving by Pat Godin. Fine carving detail. A full size hawk with fine carving detail. Pine branch and needles are metal. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(2,500 - 3,500)
394. * Full size decorative Harris Hawk, John Leeder, Addison, Ontario. Detailed feather carving with raised wings and open bill. Mounted on a carved cactus.
Measures 22” long and 27” tall with base. Signed and dated 2003 on underside of base. Tiny chip in tip of one tail feather, otherwise near mint. (800 - 1,200) 395. * 16 decorative shorebirds on beach display, Del Herbert, Chula Vista, California. Includes 5 yellowlegs, 9 sanderling, and an adult and juvenile ruddy turnstone. Base measures approximately 37” long. Signed and dated 2000 on underside. Excellent and original.(1,000 - 1,400)
171
Elmer Crowell
1864 - 1954 East Harwich, Massachusetts
396
396. Rare full size Baltimore Oriole with dropped wings, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Inserted wooden bill and wire legs. Original paint with fine feather detail and virtually no wear; slight shrinkage on a couple of spots on the carved wooden base. Literature: “The Songless Aviary,” Brian Cullity.
172
(8,000 - 12,000)
397
397A
397. Full size canvasback drake mounted on oval plaque, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Crowell’s rectangular stamp is in the underside of the plaque. Decoy has raised carved primaries and carved secondaries as well as fluted tail. Very good and original. (8,000 - 12,000) 397A. 3/4 size mallard drake, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Crowell’s rectangular stamp is in underside twice. Slightly turned head. Near mint original paint; structurally very good. (3,000 - 4,000)
397 Detail
173
Gus Wilson
1864 - 1950 South Portland, Maine
Having never been constrained by the use of patterns in his carving process, Wilson was freer to change the head positions and attitudes of his decoys. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his early work. He made decoys that were back, breast, and side preening, straight and turned head, open billed and with mussels in the bill. Wilson’s early creations were not made for decoration, competition, or for wealthy patrons, but were made for hunting the unforgiving waters of coastal Maine. Early mergansers by Gus Wilson are some of the rarest and most sought after decoys by the prolific Maine carver. Examples from the rig in which lot 398 came, all exhibit bold paint patterns, carved crests, tack eyes, and striking sculptural form. Individually, these mergansers are all museum worthy pieces of folk art. Collectively, they are possibly Gus Wilson’s finest accomplishment. The few that exist in original condition reside in some of the finest decoy collections in the world.
398 Detail 174
398 Detail
398 Detail
398 398. Exceptional oversize Monhegan Island style merganser drake, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine, last quarter 19th century. Slightly turned, inlet head that is reared back. Upswept tail and carved crest. Tack eyes and relief wing carving. Original paint with minor wear, mostly on one side of neck base; a few small dents and shot marks; very small defects in wood on one side.
Literature: “The Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers, Editor. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (140,000 - 180,000) 175
399
399. Monhegan Island style scoter, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Inlet head, carved eyes, and relief wing carving. A mixture of original paint with moderate wear and old in use repaint; hit by shot. Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (2,500 - 3,500)
400
400. Black duck, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Relief wing carving, carved eyes, and slightly turned inlet head. Original paint with very slight wear; defect in wood under tail and underside; small plug in one side of neck to fill a defect in wood when the decoy was made.
Literature: “The Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers, editor. (1,250 - 1,750)
401. White wing scoter, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Carved eyes. Relief wing carving. Small amount of orange primer visible around neck seat. Light wear; very good and original. (600 - 800)
401
176
402. Merganser drake, Gus Wilson, South Portland, Maine. Slightly turned inlet head with piece of leather through space in bill. Carved eyes and relief wing carving. Original paint with minor wear; small cracks; piece of leather and horsehair crest appears to be old replacement; lightly hit by shot.
Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (5,000 - 8,000)
402
402 Detail
177
Wisconsin Enoch Reindahl
1904 - 2000 Stoughton, Wisconsin
403
403 Detail
178
403.
Black duck, Enoch Reindahl, Stoughton, Wisconsin. In content pose with slightly turned head. Carved crossed wingtips. “Enoch Reindahl”is painted on the underside. Original paint with very minor wear; structurally good; small filled crack in underside.
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli.
(6,500 - 9,500)
404
404 Detail
404 Detail
404. Classic pair of mallards, Enoch Reindahl, Stoughton, Wisconsin. These mallards represent his earliest and finest period, circa 1930’s. Both have tucked heads and carved crossed wingtips. Both have detailed feather paint. One shot mark on drake’s body, otherwise very good and original.
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli.
(15,000 - 20,000)
179
405. Rare black duck, Warren Dettman, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1940. Hollow carved with bottom board. Raised wingtips. Detailed bill carving and fine scratch painting on body. Slightly turned head. Original paint with numerous rubs and stains, including some paint spatter; structurally sound. (1,200 - 1,500)
405 406. Canada goose folding silhouette, Enoch Reindahl, Stoughton, Wisconsin. From a rig of silhouettes that Reindahl used. Well executed paint patterns. Head that tucks into body for carrying. Material is some kind of paper board. A few small flakes missing, otherwise original. (1,500 - 2,000)
406
407. Rare rigmate pair of mallards, Warren Dettman, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1940. Both are hollow carved with raised wingtips. Original paint with numerous rubs; drake has chip in tail; and both may have an old coat of varnish that has darkened. (2,500 - 3,500)
407
408
180
408. Two oversize special order bluebill drakes, Frank Strey, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1930s. Hollow carved. Said to have been used by members of the Milwaukee Gun Club, with some connection to Remington Arms Company. Only one rig of these oversize bluebills were made. Original paint with shot scars; one drake has large area of paint loss on side; tight crack in bill; otherwise good and original. (2,000 - 3,000)
409
410
409. Rare canvasback drake, Joseph Sieger, Tustin, Wisconsin, 1st quarter 20th century. Hollow carved with bottom board. Original paint protected by an old coat of varnish; shows moderate gunning wear; two gouges in body; numerous dents and rubs. (6,000 - 8,000)
410. Pair of bluebills, Gus Moak, Tustin, Wisconsin. Each is hollow carved with very slightly turned head. Original paint with good patina and very minor wear; drake has been hit by shot on one side.
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli. (4,500 - 6,500)
181
411 411 Detail
411. Well carved pintail drake, Mandt Homme, Stoughton, Wisconsin. Detailed feather carving with carved crossed wingtips and fluted tail. Stylish head and neck with raised neck seat. Detailed scratch and comb paint on back and sides. “Tom Alberti,” is carved in to the underside. Tom Alberti was Homme’s personal friend and hunting partner. A few tiny paint flakes missing at neck seat; otherwise very good and original.
182
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli, p. 208, exact decoy. (8,000 - 12,000)
A small town just south of Madison is where three of Wisconsin’s best decoy carvers lived and hunted. The decoys made by these three famous carvers, Ferd Homme, Mant Homme, and Enoch Reindahl are sought after by serious collectors across the country. Their style, now known as the “Stoughton Style,” can be characterized by realistic full body sculptures, often in a resting or sleeping pose. The painting techniques vary with combinations of wet on wet blending with areas of heavy combing. Raised crossed wingtips are a common characteristic of most of Ferd’s carved decoys. The combination of these techniques creates life like decoys that can be enjoyed either on the water or on a shelf.
412 412 Detail
412. Rigmate pair of canvasbacks, Ferd Homme, Stoughton, Wisconsin. Both are in content pose and have carved crossed wingtips and fluted tails. Hen’s head is turned slightly. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; a few tiny dents; worn area at edge of hen’s tail.
Provenance: Menzel collection sticker is on the underside of the drake.
Literature: “Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes,” Donna Tonelli.
(10,000 - 14,000) 183
Illinois River
413
413 Detail
413. Rare pintail hen, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. Retains Graves weight. Branded “GSO”for Guy Osborne, a member of the Crane Lake Club, near Bath, Illinois. Original paint with very minor wear; small crack in back near tail.
184
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid.
(6,500 - 9,500)
414
414 Detail
414.
Extremely rare greenwing teal drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa 1920s. Branded “LHC”, for Lewis H. Clark, a member at Senachewine Duck Club in 1926. Bears French’s ink stamp, “194” on underside. Obtained from Helen Hagerman Putnam Illinois in 1955. Hagerman received the decoy from her father Frank Cotton Eckard who was club manager of the Senachwine. Many knowledgable Illinois River collectors believe this is the finest straight head Perdew greenwing teal known. Weight is missing, otherwise excellent and original.
Provenance: Joe French collection. “JF” brand in underside as well as ink stamp number 194. Literature: “Decoy Collectors Guide,” 1964 issue, p. 12. “The Art of the Decoy,” Adele Earnest, p. 75, exact decoy. (15,000 - 20,000) 185
415
416
415. Exceptional canvasback drake, Bert Graves, Peoria, Illinois. Bright original paint by Catherine Elliston that is near mint - one of the finest examples known to exist; decoy was barely used; weight is missing; structurally excellent.
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid, p. 88. “Decoys Magazine,” Joe Engers, Editor, March/April 1997 issue. (4,000 - 6,000)
186
416. Mallard drake, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, circa 1940. Painted by Charlie. Turned head with “JNZ”branded twice in underside for John N. Ziegle, an affluent architect from Peoria, Illinois that belonged to the Rice Pond Duck Club. He had a large rig of Perdew mallards, pintails and bluebills, most were ordered from 1943-1945. Strong original paint with small stain near top of breast; two small flakes to green area on head; protected by a coat of varnish which shows some dripping on one side of body. (4,000 - 6,000)
Charles Walker was born in Princeton, Illinois and never really left the area, choosing to stay where waterfowl shooting was at its best. Walker hunted locally including at the Princeton Club, a club exclusive to Princeton area hunters only. While Walker was not a full time professional carver like Robert Elliston and Charles Perdew, and he produced significantly fewer birds, he is still considered one of the best of the Illinois River region by today’s collectors. He produced between 500 and 700 decoys later in his life from about 1925 to 1950, many of which were made and sold to members of the Princeton Game and Fish Club.
417. Exceptional mallard drake, Charles Walker, Princeton, Illinois, circa 1930s. Fine scratch paint detail and patina. number “8” painted on underside for Cliff Jolly. This is the last rig of decoys that Walker made. Jolly ordered one dozen round bottom and one dozen flat bottom. Original paint with a few small flakes missing, mostly on top of head; a few small dents.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Walter White. (14,000 - 18,000)
417
417 Detail
417 Detail
187
Of the ten or so Robert Elliston greenwing teal that we know of, five, including this one, were found at a yard sale in St. Paul, Minnesota in the summer of 2004. This is the last of the five to be sold by the person that originally bought them in St. Paul. The five drake teal were all purchased along with seven Fred Allen decoys, including a sleeping mallard drake, a pair or mallards (in this auction), a bluebill and a redhead. Also included in the box were two Carriage house mallards. The owner of the decoys explained that they were all used by his wife’s father on a lake in Backus, Minnesota.
418
188
418. Extremely rare greenwing teal drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, circa 1880. Bold feather paint detail. One of five found in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2004. Excellent original paint with minor wear at tip of bill; with slight shrinkage in center of back; small rough spot at tip of tail. (35,000 - 45,000)
418
418 Detail 189
While residents of Chicago, the Dupee family owned a second home in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. William H. Dupee and his father were both founding members of and frequent shooters at the Diana Shooting Club on the Horicon Marsh located in south central Wisconsin. Dupee’s good friend, Charles Dearing, was also a member at the Diana Club and the two gentlemen often traveled and hunted together. (Elliston Decoys can also be found with his brand, “Dearing”). The Dupee rig of decoys was likely ordered around 1900. The decoys are characterized by having fat round bodies, which indicate they are Elliston’s earliest period and most desirable style.
419 Detail
419 419. Outstanding round body style bluebill drake, Robert Elliston, Bureau, Illinois, circa 1880. From the famous Dupee Rig, Wisconsin. Branded “W. Dupee”in underside. Exceptionally fine form with long graceful neck and arched back. Highly detailed feather carving with combing on lower sides and underside. Scalloping on edges of breast paint. Near mint original paint; hairline surface crack in neck; professional repair to a tiny chip under one edge of bill; Dupee brand has been partially carved out.
190
Literature: “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid. “Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers, Editor. (30,000 - 35,000)
419 Detail
419 Detail
191
New England 420. Pintail drake, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Pre brand. Original paint with minor wear; crack in underside; crack in neck with small chips of wood missing; slight roughness to very tip of bill. Provenance: From an estate in Wisconsin. (2,500 - 3,500)
420 421. Black duck, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Crowell’s oval brand is in the underside. Slightly turned head. Feather paint detail. Near mint original paint; small area on back where defect in wood was filled when decoy was made. (3,000 - 4,000)
421
422. Gunning model “low head” goldeneye hen, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Fluted tail and slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; mostly on one side; hit by shot. (3,000 - 4,000)
422
423. Brant with slightly lifted head, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts. Original paint; minor discoloration and wear; age split in underside extending a short way up the breast and under the tail; slight roughness on one edge of tail with slight touch up there; long thin plug in one side is from when the decoy was made.
423 192
Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (3,000 - 4,000)
Charles “Shang” Wheeler 1872 - 1949 Stratford, Connecticut
In 1923, Shang Wheeler, for the first time, entered the amateur category of the Bellport, Long Island decoy carving contest, and he won first place. One of the show organizers was Joel Barber, the first great collector, author, and historian of decoys. Barber was also a gifted carver and painter. Barber commented, on Wheeler’s winning mallard, “it represents the highest development yet reached in the American art of decoy carving. This Bellport show was not the last time Wheeler took the top prize. He went on to win the amateur category for the next twelve consecutive years, carving almost every species of waterfowl seen along the Atlantic coast. Throughout the 1940s, Wheeler would exhibit his decoys at the National Sportsman’s Show in New York. After his death in 1949, this exhibit became part of the permanent collection of decoys at the Audubon Society’s Birdcraft Museum in Fairfield, Connecticut. This exact brant can be seen in the photograph of Wheelers display taken in 1949, and it eventually became property of the Audubon Museum until it was purchased by a Midwest decoy collector in the early 1980s.
424
424 Detail
424 Detail
424. Very rare cedar brant, Shang Wheeler, Stratford, Connecticut. One of only two known to exist. Relief wing carving, detailed mandible carving, and tear drop weight. Good feather paint detail. Original paint with very minor wear; several tiny dents.
Literature: “Shang,” Dixon Merkt.
(10,000 - 14,000)
193
425
426 425. Root head heron, from South Shore of Massachusetts, circa 1900. Old in use repaint; structurally good; in old wooden carrying box. (4,000 - 6,000)
426. Large crow from Massachusetts, 2nd quarter 20th century. Applied wings and dropped tail. Original paint with minor wear; several cracks; much of the thigh carving has been chipped out; small rough area at one wingtip. Literature: “Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History and Art,” Robert Shaw, p. 101, exact decoy. “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 308, exact decoy. “National Directory of Decoy Collectors Book II,” p. 21, 1979, exact dceoy. (4,000 - 6,000)
194
Keyes Chadwick
1865 - 1958 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
427
427 Detail
427 Detail
427. Rare early style redhead drake, Keyes Chadwick, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Very good form with turned head in feeding pose. Original paint with minor wear; lightly hit by shot; several small areas of touchup to area of shot holes on head.
Literature: “Martha’s Vineyard Decoys,” Stanley Murphy. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. (9,500 - 12,500) 195
George Boyd
1873 - 1941 Seabrook, New Hampshire
427A
427A Detail 427A. Very rare and important bluewing teal drake, George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire. One of only two known to exist. Slightly turned and lifted head. Fine feather paint detail and good patina. Signed on the underside by the maker, also initials “JF”are on the underside. Very minor paint shrinkage, mostly on top of head, otherwise excellent and original. Literature: “Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers, Editor, pg. 65, the only other two known teal. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. “Finely Carved and Nicely Painted,” Jim Cullen, pg. 40-41, the only other two known teal. (35,000 - 40,000)
196
In “Finely Carved & Nicely Painted: The Life, Art and Decoys of George H. Boyd” author Jim Cullen writes, “In 1938 a drake Bluewinged teal and a drake Green-winged teal decoy were specifically made by Boyd for Josiah Fisher. The price of $5.00 per decoy was paid by Fisher, a sixteen year old school boy at the time.” Although not pictured in the book, lots 427A and 428 are the exact teal that were special ordered by Fisher. These are the best two examples of the four teal known to exist, being slightly larger and with considerably less crazing than the others. The ‘Fisher’ teal can be traced back directly to Boyd’s hands. Provenance: Made in 1938 and sold to sixteen year old Josiah Fisher. Donated by Mr. Fisher to the New Hampshire Nature Conservancy in order to raise funds to enhance and manage waterfowl habitat. Oliver’s July 11th & 12th, 1992 auction, lots 458 and 459. Private Florida collection.
428
427A Detail
427A Detail
428. Very rare and important greenwing teal drake, George Boyd, Seabrook, New Hampshire. One of only two known to exist. Decoy is signed by the maker, also initials “JF” are on the underside. Highly detailed feather paint. Original paint with fine shrinkage on parts of head, breast and one side; structurally excellent.
Literature: “Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers, Editor, pg. 65, the only other two known teal. “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph. “Finely Carved and Nicely Painted,” Jim Cullen, pg. 40-41, the only other two known teal. (35,000 - 40,000) 197
429. Mallard drake, Charles Hart, Gloucester, Massachusetts. Solid body style with carved, layered wing carving, fluted tail and leather tail sprig. Original paint with minor wear; structurally very good.
Provenance: Mallar collection. (2,000 - 3,000)
429
430. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Keyes Chadwick, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Original paint with minor wear; very minor paint shrinkage on parts of the black area on the drake; hen has a crack in the underside. (1,200 - 1,600)
430
431. Swimming merganser hen from Massachusetts, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; a few small dents in back.
Literature: “American Bird Decoys,” William J. Mackey, Jr., p. 75 for similar decoy. (1,500 - 2,500)
431 432. Bluebill drake, Ben Holmes, Stratford, Connecticut, circa 1900. Hollow carved. A mixture of old in use repaint, original paint, and bare wood; hit by shot.
432 198
Provenance: Tags on underside indicate the decoy was at one time owned by George Ross Starr and at a later date by Jackson Parker. (950 - 1,250)
433
433 Detail
433. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts. Pre brand, circa 1900. Hen has slightly turned head. Both have “DR. L.C. Jones”written in old script on the underside. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents.
Literature: “New England Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph.
(8,000 - 12,000)
199
434
435
436
437
438
434. Rigmate pair of goldeneyes, David Harrington, Vermont. Rasp carving emulates feather texture. Neither bird has been rigged. Both have slightly turned heads. Stamped “Colby Woods Collection”. Original paint; small areas of staining on underside of hen; good and original. (400 - 600) 435. Bluebill hen, Sam Collins, Milford, Connecticut. Old in use repaint on bill and white areas, the rest appears to be original; small cracks and shot marks. (400 - 600) 436. Swimming Canada goose from Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Hollow carved laminated body construction. Old in use repaint; small dents. (500 - 700)
200
437. Well executed mallard drake by Dr. Lewis Web Hill, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Mounted on wooden base. Measuring 9.5”in length. Carving is well executed with crossed wingtips, shoulder carving, and snuggled head. (400 - 600) 438. Canada goose, Joseph Lincoln, Accord, Massachusetts, 1st quarter 20th century. Repainted in the Lincoln style a long time ago; numerous small dents; shallow rough spots.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Colby Wood, his stamp is on the underside. (650 - 950)
Albert Laing
1811 - 1886 Stratford, Connecticut & New York, New York While most collectors associate Albert D. Laing with the state of Connecticut, it is likely that this decoy was made well before Laing’s relocation from New York to his home in Stratford in 1863. This decoy was probably made while Laing was working as a market hunter around 1835.
440 Detail
440 Detail
440 440. Very rare sleeping redhead drake, Albert Laing, Stratford, Connecticut and New York, New York, 2nd quarter 19th century. Hollow carved flat body style. Square nail construction. Old repaint with moderate wear; small cracks and shot marks. (9,000 - 12,000)
201
Mason Decoy Factory 1896 - 1924 Detroit, Michigan
This exact pair of decoys was the best of the ‘heavy billed’ D.B. Day rig decoys found at the Toussaint Shooting Club.
441
441 Detail
441 Detail
441. Outstanding rigmate pair of mallards from the D.B. Day rig, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Both have slightly turned heads with large upturned bills. Both have D.B. Day rig brand in underside. Drake has near mint original paint; hen has very slight wear on back; both have several very small shallow surface dents; hen has two shot marks; drake has hairline crack partway through the top of the bill and partway through one side of the neck and small tail chip repair.
Provenance: Pearce collection.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 20, hen pictured. “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Alan Haid, p. 73, exact decoys. (12,500 - 17,500) 202
442
442. Very rare, special order early style Canada goose, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1900. Premier grade with bill morticed into top of removable head. Dowel holding head on is angled to the side of the neck instead of the top of the head on account of the mortice. Two cracks partway down back and in top of tail; paint loss in neck base and on sides of head knot visible in one side.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Purchased from Dick Meader in 1984
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 80, exact decoy pictured. “Factory Decoys,” John and Shirley Delph, p. 47, exact decoy. (12,500 - 17,500)
442 Detail 203
443. Black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Original paint; minor wear; a few tiny dents; slight separation at body seam on one side that was filled and touched up a long time ago. (2,500 - 3,500)
443
444. Rare goldeneye hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Original paint with minor wear protected by an old coat of varnish; small dents; small crack at neck base; small rough area at tip of bill. (2,500 - 3,500)
444
445. Goldeneye hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; crack in one lower side; short hairline crack near tie strap hole. (1,500 - 2,500)
445 446. Mallard drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade with early snakey head style. Branded “AG”in underside. Original paint with minor wear; slight roughness to edge of tail; small cracks in body. (1,500 - 2,500)
446 204
447
448 447 Detail
447. Extremely rare bufflehead hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with very minor wear on most of the decoy; moderate wear on end of bill with slight wear to the wood there and on the edges of the tail; old overpaint has been professionally taken off the bottom third of the decoy; crack in underside.
Provenance: Mallar collection. Purchased at an antique
448 Detail
auction on the Maine coast approximately 15 years ago. (8,000 - 12,000) 448. Black duck, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1910. Premier grade with fine swirl feather paint. Near mint original paint; tiny chip at tip of tail; hairline crack partway down back. Provenance: Pearce collection.
(5,500 - 8,500) 205
449
449. Exceptional and rare American merganser hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1900. Premier grade with outstanding form. Branded “JWW” for John Ware Willard, 18591914, who was the grandson of famous clock maker Simon Willard. Also branded “SMN”. Near mint original paint with good patina; very slight separation at neck seam and tiny rough spot at one side of tip of bill.
449 Detail
Provenance: Pearce collection. Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 72 top, exact decoy pictured. (15,000 - 25,000)
206
450
450. Very rare American merganser drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade with early snakey head style, circa 1910. Original paint; very minor discoloration and wear; several tiny dents.
Provenance: Pearce collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. Dick Clark.
Literature: “Mason Decoys,” Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, p. 72 top, exact decoy pictured. (12,500 - 17,500)
450 Detail
207
Shorebird Decoys
451
452
451 Detail
451. Sandpiper, Obediah Verity, Seaford, New York, 3rd quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving and carved eyes. Strong original paint; two shot holes in one side; small areas of paint loss on bill; slight discoloration to small area of head; otherwise very good and original. (5,000 - 7,000)
208
452 Detail
452. Running sandpiper, Obediah Verity, Seaford, Long Island, New York. Wide body style with relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; worn spot on one side of breast; bill is an old working replacement. (3,000 - 4,000)
William Bowman 1824 - 1906 Lawrence, New York
453
453 Detail
453. Rare greater yellowlegs in alert pose, William Bowman, Lawrence, Long island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Believed by some to have been made by Charles Sumner Bunn. Relief wing carving with extended wingtips. Shoe button eyes. Very slight thigh carving. Original paint with minor wear; two small holes were added next to the stick hole at one time for wire legs; thin crack in that area and on one side; very lightly hit by shot. Literature: “Great Book of Decoys,” Joe Engers editor, Long Island chapter. “The Decoys of Long Island,” Tim Sieger and Alan Haid. (20,000 - 30,000) 209
454
455
456
457
459
458
454. Large black bellied plover, Obediah Verity, Seaford, Long Island, New York, 3rd quarter 19th century. Wide “beetle”head style with eyes facing forward.
457. Yellowlegs, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1915. Tack eye model. Old overpaint has been taken off to show some original; structurally good.
Provenance: Gilford collection.
(1,200 - 1,600)
455. Two robin snipe, Nate Frazier, Tuckerton, New Jersey. Original paint with moderate wear; one bill has some touchup on it; small cracks in underside.
Provenance: Gilford collection.
(1,500 - 2,500)
456. Greater yellowlegs, Thomas Gelston, Quogue, New York. Cork body with inserted hardwood bill. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; slight wear to the cork at the tail; very lightly hit by shot.
210
Provenance: Gilford collection.
(600 - 900)
Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
(650 - 950)
458. Rare curlew, Luther Lee Nottingham, Chesapeake, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Relief wing carving. “LLN”carved under the tail. A mixture of worn original and old in use repaint; head and bill have been professionally replaced by Cameron McIntyre. (1,000 - 1,500) 459. Greater yellowlegs from the South Shore of Massachusetts, circa 1900. Original paint with moderate wear; hit by shot; bill is an old replacement; stick holes have been drilled several times with some chipping between them. (800 - 1,200)
460
461
461 Detail
460 Detail
460. Plump black bellied plover, in winter plumage Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton, New Jersey, circa 1900. Good feather paint detail. Original paint with very minor shrinkage on breast and top of tail; slight wear; structurally good. Literature: “Classic New Jersey Decoys,” James Doherty. (6,500 - 9,500)
461. Large Verity Family black bellied plover, Long Island, New York, last quarter 19th century. Over 12”long with relief wing carving and carved eyes. Original paint with minor wear, mostly on the black areas; a few small dents.
Literature: “Shorebird Decoys,” John Levinson and Somers Headly. (6,000 - 8,000)
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Canada 462. Bluebill hen, Bud Tully, Peterborough, Ontario. Slightly turned head. Relief wing carving with crossed wingtips. Excellent and original. (2,000 - 3,000)
462
463. Pair of mallards, Ken Anger, Dunnville, Ontario. Near mint original paint, never used.
Literature: “Ontario Decoys,” Bernie Gates. (3,000 - 4,000)
464.
Oversize bluebill drake, Bill Cooper, Verdun, Quebec. Approximately 15”long. Slightly turned head and detailed feather carving. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear, mostly on back; a few tiny dents.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas. (1,500 - 2,000)
463
464 465. Hollow carved black duck from the Lake St. Francis Hunting Lodge in Manitoba. From a hunting rig that contained some George Warin geese. Original paint with minor wear; one shot mark in the head.
465 212
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Bob Youngman. (900 - 1,200)
Orel LeBoeuf was one of a few market gunners from the Montreal area. He was a lather by trade but every year around November he turned his attention to shooting bluebills on the St. Lawrence River. LeBoeuf also made decoys for both his own use as well as other hunters. It is said he sold his decoys for between $12 and $36 per dozen over the years. As he grew older, however, he became reluctant to sell many decoys. Hunters would complain that it could take as long as two years for him to process a simple order. Many of LeBoeuf’s best decoys were lost when his humble house, 14ft by 10 ft, burned to the ground. This pair of bluebills represents his best period of carving featuring deep relief feather carving with exaggerated bill length and width.
466 Detail
466
467
467 Detail 466. Oversize rigmate pair of bluebills, Orel LeBoeuf, St. Anicet, Quebec. Stylized bills with highly detailed feather carving over the backs and tails. Subtle comb painting on upper wings. Original paint with very minor wear; lightly hit by shot; small cracks at knot in one side of hen; hairline crack in lower side of hen.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas. (6,000 - 8,000)
467. Rigmate pair of goldeneye, Orel LeBoeuf, St. Anicet, Quebec. Highly detailed feather carving. Some feather paint detail. Original paint with minor wear, mostly on extremities; drake has been lightly hit by shot and has a short, thin crack in each side; hen has minor wear to the wood at the edges of the tail and a short surface crack in the breast and a knot in one side.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas. (3,000 - 5,000) 213
468
470
472
468. Bluewing teal drake, Jerry Coughlan, Phillipsburg, Quebec. Relief wing carving. Original paint with very minor wear; small cracks. (800 - 1,200) 469. Oversize black duck in rare high head pose, Charles Buchannan, North Augusta, Ontario. Signed and dated 1944. Good scratch paint detail. Original paint with slight wear mostly on tail; thin crack through neck. (800 - 1,200) 470. Rare ringneck drake, D.W. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Relief wing carving and carved tail. Very good and original. (550 - 850)
214
469
471
473
471. Rigmate pair of mergansers from Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, 2nd quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; structurally good. (600 - 900) 472. Large pair of mergansers, Dennis White, Bayport, Nova Scotia, circa 1950s. Original and good. (500 - 800) 473.
Hollow carved black duck, William Chrysler, Belleville, Ontario, 1st quarter 20th century. Scratch feather paint detail and slightly turned head. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; hit by shot; tail chip missing; crack with two thin chips missing through neck. (300 - 500)
Louisiana
474
475
476
478
477 474. Pair of mallards, Tatie Pertuit, Raceland, Louisiana. Near mint original paint with some patina; a few tiny dents; crack through drake’s neck.
Literature: Cheramie.
“Louisiana Lures and Legends,” Brian (2,500 - 3,500)
475. Dove, Reme Rousseau, Raceland, Louisiana. Relief wing carving with extended wingtips. Original paint; very minor wear; two small white marks on lower breast, each wingtip has been broken off. (2,500 - 3,500) 476. Bluewing teal hen, Clovis Vizier, Galliano, Louisiana. Raised carved wingtips and carved tail. Original paint; minor wear; small chip missing from center of tail; lightly hit by shot; small defects in wood with touchup to one of
them that is near the speculum; crack in lower side that was filled when the decoy was made. (1,500 - 2,500) 477. Mallard hen, Clovis Vizier, Galliano, Louisiana. Raised carved wingtips and carved tail. Original paint with very minor wear; reglued crack in neck; surface crack in one side of head; several tiny dents.
Literature: “Louisian Lures and Legends,” Brian Cheramie. (2,000 - 3,000)
478. Greenwing teal drake, David Duplessis, Plaquemine’s Parish, Louisiana, 2nd half 20th century. Old collector’s tag on underside with date of 1922. Never rigged. Very good and original. (800 - 1,000)
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Calls
479
480
481
482
479.
Duck call, John “Sandy” Morrow, Little Rock, Arkansas and Flint, Michigan. Unusual mushroom style treatment at collar of barrel. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
481.
480.
Rare duck call, Bill Clifford, River Forest, Illinois. Fancy burled wood on barrel and metal ring. Typical metal ring inset for construction purposes at top of barrel. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200)
482. Early duck call, A.M. Bowles, Little Rock, Arkansas. Stamped by Bowles at top of barrel. Checkered panels carved in deep relief. Very good and original. (2,000 - 2,500)
483. Turkey call, Archibald Rutledge, circa 1950. Approximately 8.5”long. Minor discoloration otherwise good. (1,250 - 1,750) Rutledge ran ads for his box calls in Field and Stream in the early 1940’s, his calls are rare today. Known as South Carolina’s poet laureate and author of 60 published books, many of which detail his hunting tales. He was once considered for both the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes.
216
483
Duck call, A.M. Bowles, Little Rock, Arkansas. Stamped Bowles at top of barrel. Four checkered panels. Very good and original. (1,000 - 1,500)
Homer T. Bryant Mr. Bryant was born in Calhoun County, Arkansas May 22, 1895. In 1922, he and his wife moved to what was then known as Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. Mr. Bryant had drunk from a spring that was pouring from the base of an old cypress stump and it had cured him of pyelitis. So they bought 29 acres of land around that spring, and his mineral spring water company was born. Before Mr. Bryant died on July 18, 1977, he had traveled all over the south delivering water to those who wanted it. He most surely bought the J.T. Beckhart call directly from Mr. Beckhart during his travels, but we will never know that for sure. We do know that Bryant was an avid duck hunter.
Beckhart was a guide, market hunter and boat builder whose family made a living from the bounty provided by the “great swamp”. It is thought that he started making calls commercially around 1890. The business became wildly successful over the next few years. Almost all calls were carved from walnut and had German silver reeds.
483A
Beckhart photographed with a good days bag
483A. Rare and important duck call, James T. Beckhart, Big Lake, Arkansas. Four raised and checkered panels. One has a banner that has not been inscribed. Top of barrel is stamped “James T. Beckhart”with Beckhart’ s stamp. This call is possibly unique because of the yellowish horn at the mouth piece and at the caller. To our knowledge this has not been seen before. Surface dirt; a few small dents; wedge block and reed have been replaced. (8,000 - 12,000)
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484
486
485
487
484. Five duck calls. Tru Tone, Blue Label, in the box. Stofer, bean lake, in original package. A small Earl Dennison. And two unknowns. One similar to Turpin/Glodo. Tru Tone blue has faded to black on ring, call shows some wear, parts appear to be original; Stofer has extra reeds, appears to be original with wear, stamped on side of barrel; Dennison unable to take apart, appears to be original; Glodo/Turpin barrel has many cracks and repairs, insert has been cut down and replaced; unknown is old with nice patina. (500 - 800) 485. Two crow calls, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois, 1st quarter 20th century. Both are cedar and stamped “Charles H Perdew, Henry, ILL”. One has the full “Patented November 2nd”stamped on barrel. (400 - 600) 218
488
486. Cedar crow call, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Very good and original.
Provenance: Joe French collection.
(200 - 300)
487. Duck call, Dan Crook, Louisiana. Flying mallard on side of barrel with tack eyes. Two checkered raised panels. Stamped “Crooks”twice at top of barrel. Original and good. (250 - 350) 488. Duck call, New Beckhart. Stamped “New Beckhart”with three stars at top of barrel. Slight discoloration at mouth piece; good and original. (600 - 800)
489
489
489
490
489. 21 turkey calls by various makers. Including Lee Calls, Lohman, Moss, Ashby, Roger Latham, Eddie Salter, and Woods Wish. Original and good. (500 - 750) 490.
Three vintage box turkey calls. One stamped, “Made by A.M. Bowles, Little Rock Arkansas”. Other two are unknown. Original and good. (400 - 600)
490A. Duck call, Truetone, Oak Park, Illinois. Rare blue label model. “TRUETONE, OAK PARK, ILLINOIS” stamped in barrel. Small area of varnish wear on barrel including mouth piece. Varnish wear around mouth piece; a few dents; small dents and scratches in stopper.
490A
490B
Literature: “Legacy of the Duck Call,” Howard Harlan and James Fleming. (600 - 800)
490B. Duck Call, E.F. Stouffer, Kansas City, Missouri. Fancy walnut burl barrel with “E. Stouffer” and “K.C. Moe” stamped in side. Very light wear on varnish, mostly around lip ring otherwise very good and original. (400 - 600)
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491
492
491 Detail
491. Duck call, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Carved barrel with three ducks and mouthpiece. Initials “FR R N�. Wedge block appears to be a replacement, otherwise very good and original. (3,000 - 5,000)
492.
Important duck call, Bill Clifford, River Forest, Illinois. Laminated construction with two inlaid fruitwood stripes running horizontal in barrel. Good and original. (1,800 - 2,200)
493. Duck call, Clyde Hancock, Stuttgart, Arkansas. Hancock was the 1949 duck call champion. Well executed checkering. Very good and original. (1,500 - 2,000) 494. Duck call, Bill Clifford, River Forest, Illinois. Use of four different types of wood on barrel through laminate construction. Very good and original. (1,200 - 1,500) 495. Duck call, Tom Turpin, Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, first quarter 20th century. Good and original. (800 - 1,200)
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493
494
495
495A. Carved wooden life size folk portrait bust of Abraham Lincoln, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint; minor to moderate wear; small cracks. (3,000 - 5,000)
495A
495C
495B
495D
495E
495B. Lot of 14 duck calls by various makers. Two are in original boxes. Included are Big Goose Honker, Ken Martin, Jack Rays, Don Ansley, and Duc-em. Good. (400 - 600) 495C. Diorama of flying bluebills landing in marsh. Signed “EK Mccagg. 3/12/31.” Case size approximately 9 1/2” x 17” x 3”. Very good and original. (400 - 600)
495D. Hanging game carving of two full size partridge, 1st half 20th century. Included are oak branches with acorns. Plaque is approximately 28” tall and appears to be made from walnut. 15 or 20 small holes in plaque. (500 - 700) 495E. Folky owl with four crows and one corn cob. Appears to be 40-50 years old. All are in original paint; with areas of artificial wear to enhance age. (600 - 800) 221
Shot Shell Boxes
496
497
498 496. Seven one piece Peters High Velocity shot gun shell boxes. 10 ga., 12 ga., 16 ga., 20 ga., 28 ga., and two .410 ga. boxes. All are full and wrapped in sealer. Two have small seam splits; others have wear and slight discoloration. (300 - 400) 497. Seven shotgun shell boxes. Three U.M.C., Smokeless 12 ga., Nitro Club 12 ga., Arrow 12 ga. And one Winchester leader smokeless 12 ga. All wrap around labels, some of which are stained; boxes range from structurally good to average. (500 - 800) 222
498. Seven shotgun shell boxes. Six are one piece, including; Full box 16 ga. American eagle, monarch trap shells 12 ga., 20 ga. Peters Victor field loads, two 12 ga. High power shot shells, 20 ga. Wards Redhead Full. Two piece 12 ga. Nitro Club, full. Monarch box is slightly crushed; others show wear at edges and a few small seam splits and tiny areas of staining. (300 - 400)
499
500
500A 499. Three 5 lb. powder cans, last quarter 19th century. Two are from the Hazard Powder Company Hazardville, Connecticut. One is from the American Powder Mills Company, Boston, Massachusetts. American Powder Mills can has duck and sea shooting gun powder. One of the Hazard cans has the duck shooting gun powder label with the standing canvasback. Cans and hazard label good; American Powder label fair.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Formerly in collection of Dr. James McCleery. Pictured in Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog as lots 398 and 401.
Literature: “Gun Powder Cans and Kegs,” Ted and David Bacyk and Tom Rowe, p. 48, exact can. “Top of the Line Hunting Collectibles,” Donna Tonelli, p. 30, exact cans. (2,500 - 3,500) 500. Wooden dead duck holder, H.K. Humphreys, Toronto, Ontario. Patent applied for 1884. Approximately 12” x 13”. With cork on the back to help it float. Good old paint appears to be original; three splits. (200 - 300) 500A. 17 3/4” long knife with wooden handle. On blade, right near handle, is marked “1861” on one side and otherside has “CS” marked. Original and good. (900 - 1,200) 223
501
502
503
504
501. Four Winchester shotgun shell boxes. 20 ga. one piece full Ranger, 12 ga. Leader, 12 ga. Repeater, and 20 ga. Repeater. All are full; seams are stressed; two have small splits at edges from shells; all are protected with plastic wrap; Leader box has abrasions and staining on label. (400 - 600) 502. Two piece shotgun shell boxes. Peters Ideal 12 ga. and Peters New Victor 12 ga. Each with wrap around label. Both showing average wear to labels. (800 - 1,200) 224
503. Two Peters High Velocity shotgun shell boxes. 12 ga., Bluebill and 12 ga. bluewing teal. (300 - 500) 504. Two American powder mills powder cans. 1/2 lb. and 1 lb. sizes with dead shot label on one side. Dead shot mallard label on one side, American hunting scene label on other. Fair to good.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
Literature: “Top of the Line Hunting Collectibles,” Donna Tonelli, p. 32. (1,500 - 2,000)
505
506
507
508
509
510 507. Decoy shop sign with two half carved decoys similar to the work from the Mason Decoy Factory. Approximately 4’ wide. Original paint that has been aged; structurally good. (300 - 400) 508. Hand forged spear with seven tines, each with two barbs, from Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. “W.H.Kellogg,”is stamped in the spear. Full length is 22 1/2”. Slightly pitted from age, otherwise very good and original. (300 - 400)
511 505. Three wooden corn cobs. Old labels read, “Roger Barton”on one and “Made by George Dusheau, Monroe, Michigan”on another. Original and good. (350 - 450) 506. Iron owl brand turkey call sign. Approximately 18”long. Minor to moderate wear to paint; structurally good.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(350 - 450)
509. Target ball thrower, M.E. Card, Cassanovia, New York. Patented May 1878 and April 22 1878. Good. (1,250 - 1,750) 510. Frog spearing decoy, from southern Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Green and gold paint with belly weight. Original with numerous rubs. (300 - 400) 511. Live pigeon holder. Mounted on wooden base. Approximately 16”long. Metal good; base fair. (300 - 500) 225
Midwest
Once known as the Northern Everglades, the Grand Kankakee Marsh was one of the largest wetlands in North America. This riparian Garden of Eden covered much of present day Northern Indiana and Illinois, and was home to some of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. Native Americans considered the Grand Marsh’s waters nature’s womb. Louis the XIV would claim the land as “New France.” Sportsman and market hunters called it “paradise.”
512 Detail 226
512
512. Extremely rare long necked pintail hen from the Kankakee Marshes, Indiana, circa 1900. Of the seven known pintails, four are drakes and three are hens. Original paint with shrinkage on back; very little wear; thin crack through neck with chip repair in that area; crack in back.
Literature: Decoy Magazine, July/August 2009, “KANKAKEE MARSH PINTAILS: The Magnificent Seven,” Gene and Linda Kangas with Ron Gard, pp16-26, exact decoy feature in article. “Great Lakes Decoy Interpretations,” Gene and Linda Kangas, cover, p. 169 and p. 182, exact decoy. “Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History and Art,” Robert Shaw, p. 39, exact decoy. (40,000 - 60,000)
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513
514
515
516
517
518
513. Pair of greenwing teal, Donald Roosevelt Gearhart, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gearhart produced pocket sized decoys for his personal use mostly in marshes of Louisiana. This unique diminutive pair was made as a gift specifically for his wife, Vera. Both decoys have carved in to the undersides, “Vera Gearhart drg 9/9/39”on one, the other “9/15/39”. Drake is in alert pose with slightly turned head and raised wingtips. Hen is in content pose with slightly turned head. Excellent and original.
Provenance: Descended in the Gearhart family.
Literature: “Decoys Magazine, 2013 article “Don Gearhart, an oil man’s pocket sized rig.” (1,500 - 2,500) 514. Special order black duck, Frank Strey, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, circa 1930s. 21” in length and slightly turned head. Worn original paint and a few shot marks, otherwise very good structurally. (800 - 1,200) 515. Stick up Canada goose field decoy from the Midwest, 2nd quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor 228
wear; bill has been broken off and glued back on. (800 - 1,200) 516. Rare bluewing teal drake from Ohio, 3rd quarter 19th century. Tack eyes. Small square peg in back. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; lightly hit by shot; white areas appear to have old touchup; short crack in tail.
Provenance: Branded Boardman in underside. (1,250 - 1,750)
517. Folky bluebill drake, Milwaukee School, 1940. A rig by this maker turned up in the late 1990s. All were signed “Blanz”and dated 1940 in underside, as is this example. Slightly turned head with raised crossed wingtips. Light gunning wear; original paint. (800 - 1,000) 518. Black duck, Dr. Miles Pirnie, Lansing, Michigan, circa 1930. Hollow carved with bottom board and slightly turned head. Original paint with professional touchup at tip of tail and bill. (500 - 800)
519 Tom Schroeder with the “Famous Michigan Five”. Tom is holding this exact Old Squaw Drake
520
519. Mallard drake from the Kankakee Marshes, Indiana, circa 1900. By the same maker as the long neck pintail hen in this auction. Retains original Mason Factory weight, hollow carved with bottom board. Original paint; minor to moderate wear; structurally very good.
Literature: “Great Lakes Decoy Interpretations,” Gene and Linda Kangas. “Ward Museum exhibition catalog.” (3,500 - 4,500)
520. Important old squaw drake, Tom Schroeder, 2nd half 20th century. Inserted wooden tail with feather wing patch and tail carving. Slightly turned head. Schroeder’s stamp on underside with the date 1960. Many pieces with this stamp, including this old squaw, were made prior to 1960. Excellent and original.
Provenance: This is the exact decoy that Schroeder is seen holding in the picture of the “Michigan Five”. Also photographed in the “Decoys of Mississippi Flyway,” p 97. 1st place winner at West Lake, Ohio in the vintage decorative contest, 1997. (6,000 - 8,000) 229
Decoratives 521. Full body wood duck hen on stump, Al Glassford. Detailed feather carving and slightly turned head. Crack through one leg, otherwise very good and original. (2,000 - 3,000)
521 522. Wood duck hen and drake with chick in hollow tree, Keith Davidson. Approximately 66”tall. Original and good. (1,750 - 2,250)
522
523. * Life size red tail hawk on driftwood base. Keith Davidson. Approximately 53”tall. Reglued feathers in head with a small piece missing, otherwise original and good. (1,750 - 2,250)
523 230
524
524 Detail
524. Life size hanging game carving of a black duck and a gadwall, Cameron McIntyre, New Church, Virginia. Signed “CTM 1998”. Detailed feather carving. Only hand tools and oil paints were used to create this carving. Each bird has been carved from a single piece of northern white cedar and only the feet have been applied. Very good and original. (10,000 - 14,000)
231
525
526
527
528
529
530
525. Hollow carved bluewing teal hen, Jim Foote, Gibraltar, Michigan. Raised wingtips with good carving detail and slightly turned head. Signed. Very good and original. (800 - 1,200) 526. * Two decoys, George Kruth, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Both are signed and dated. Both have turned heads and highly detailed feather carving with carved, crossed wingtips and fluted tails. Very good and original.
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(600 - 900)
527. Two carvings on wooden bases, Phillip Galatas. 1/4 size wood duck and full size chickadee. Both are signed by the artist. Both have highly detailed feather carvings. Very good and original. 232
Provenance: Orgeron collection.
(600 - 900)
528. Large merganser drake, Clarence Miller, Ontario, Canada. Detailed feather carving and slightly turned head. Very good and original. (400 - 600) 529. Swimming grebe, Ron Tepply. Signed and dated 1983. Hollow carved with slightly turned head and detailed wingtip carving. Bill has been slightly blunted; otherwise very good and original. (350 - 450) 530. Full size ruffed grouse, Smokey Joe Jackson, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, 2nd half 20th century. Glass eyes and slightly turned head. Excellent. (400 - 600)
531 Detail
531
531. Hollow carved preening Canada goose, Ward Brothers, Crisfield, Maryland. Signed and dated 1968. Fine feather paint and carving detail with one lifted wing and another lifted wingtip. Near mint original paint; minor shrinkage on upper breast with a short additional shrinkage line at one feather near tail. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Amos Waterfield. Waterfield collection marque is inscribed on the underside by the Ward Brothers. (12,000 - 15,000)
531 Detail
233
Jim Schmiedlin
1945 - 2015 Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania
532
533
532. Pair of decorative shovelers, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded, signed and dated 1987. Both have carved crossed wingtips and slightly turned heads. Excellent and original. (7,500 - 9,500)
234
533. Pair of decorative greenwing teal, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded, signed and dated 1984. Both are hollow carved and have slightly turned heads. Excellent and original. (6,500 - 9,500)
534
535
534. Pair of decorative canvasbacks, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded, signed and dated 1984. Both are hollow carved and have slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (5,000 - 8,000)
535. Pair of bluebills, Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania. Branded and signed. Original paint with minor flaking and wear; a few tiny dents. (5,000 - 8,000)
235
Ammunition Posters and Advertising
536
537
536. Selby shells poster, Selby Smelting and Lead Company, San Francisco, California. Scene of hunter shooting mallards over decoys. Approximately 13 1/2”x 27”. Retains top and bottom metal bands; a few tiny nicks at the side edges. (4,000 - 5,000) 537. “Steel Where Steel Belongs,” Peters Loaded Shells poster with flying mallards. Poster is approximately 20”x 30”. Retains top and bottom metal bands. Minor roughness to both side edges; small folds extend in a short way from the right side. (3,000 - 4,000)
236
538
538. Poster of man fishing and hunting from boat, J. Dukehert and Company, Baltimore, Maryland. In original frame with name embossed as well as fish, duck, basket, etc. Frame size approximately 18 1/2”x 31 1/2”. Frame good; poster very good. (2,000 - 3,000)
540
539
539. DuPont “Shoot Ballistite” poster of hunter with shorebird decoys, Copyright 1915. Retains top and bottom bands. Professionally matted and framed. Approximately 19 1/2”x 29 1/2”. Several small folds in paper, otherwise very good.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery. Lot 90 in the Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog. McCleery stamp on the back. (9,500 - 12,500)
540. “The Cock of the Woods” Winchester Factory loaded shotgun shells poster, Winchester Repeating Arms Company, New Haven, Connecticut, Copyright 1905. Professionally framed. Image size approximately 15 1/2”x 25 1/4”. Retains top and bottom metal bands; near mint.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery. Lot 87A in Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog. McCleery stamp on back.
Literature: “Top of the Line Hunting Collectibles,” Donna Tonelli, p. 236, exact poster pictured. (9,000 - 12,000)
237
541
542
541. Three Winchester shot shell hang tags. In frame. Each hang tag is approximately 8 1/2”x 8 1/2”. Very good. (2,000 - 2,500) 542. Bull Durham Tobacco Advertising poster entitled, “Without a Match”. Image size approximately 17”x 25”. Minor staining otherwise good.
238
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. (2,000 - 3,000)
543
543. Peter cartridge company calendar, 1925. Scene of mallards flying over marsh. Calendar size approximately 15”x 30”. Has top metal band. Several small fold marks running horizontally otherwise good. (1,500 - 2,000)
544
545
544. Remington Solid Breech hammerless guns poster of redheads and decoys, Copyright 1908, Remington Arms Company. Professionally framed. Image size approximately 18 1/2”x 29”. Retains top and bottom bands; small tear along one edge; also several small pieces missing in same area of edge.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery. Lot 89 in Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog. McCleery stamp on the back. (9,000 - 12,000)
545. 1925 US Shotshell Cartridges poster, Copyright 1924. With all calendar pages intact. Scene of duck hunter in layout boat with decoys and US cartridge shotgun shells visible in boat. Professionally framed. Image size approximately 16”x 35 1/2”. Retains top and bottom bands; excellent and original; one of the best known examples of this poster.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery. Lot 91 in Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog.
Literature: “Top of the Line Hunting Collectibles,” Donna Tonelli, p. 232, exact poster pictured. (6,000 - 9,000) 239
547
546
546. “Quick Shot” poster of hunter shooting mallard in marsh, made for King Powder Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. Professionally framed, deacified and thymolized, July 1976. Image size approximately 19 1/2”x 26 1/2”. Excellent.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. James McCleery. Lot 88 in Guyette & Schmidt/Sotheby’s January 2000 auction catalog. Hung in the Portsman Sporting Store, Peoria, Illinois, circa 1890. McCleery stamp on back.
Literature: “Top of the Line Hunting Collectibles,” Donna Tonelli, p. 222, exact poster pictured. (6,000 - 9,000)
240
547. Peters Cartridge Company calendar, 1914. With scene by Lynn Bogue Hunt of a spaniel flushing out a mallard. Retains September 1914 page; top and bottom bands are intact; a few small scrapes and folds in the calendar. (2,000 - 2,500)
548 548 Detail
548. DuPont’s Gun Powder lithograph with scene of hunters, game, and a variety of gun powder containers that they offer. Image size approximately 20”x 25”. Very good and original.
Provenance: Paul Tudor Jones II collection.
(12,000 - 16,000)
241
550
549 552
551
551
549. Quick Shot poster, King Powder Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. Scene of hunter shooting mallard in marsh. Areas of wear to the lower wing of the bird and in the sky at the same height. (2,000 - 3,000) 550. Dead Shot poster, American Powder Mills. Boston, Chicago, and St. Louis. Scene of hunter shooting mallard. Professionally matted and framed. Image size approximately 19” x 13”. Very good and original. (2,000 - 2,500) 551. Two pieces. Shotgun powder advertisement by Hercules Powder Company and Smokeless shotgun powder with image of black bellied plovers. Top and bottom bands have been trimmed. Also included is contemporary black bel242
553
lied plover with carved raised wingtips and original paint. (500 - 700) 552. Winchester Repeating Arms Company calendar, 1915, with a scene by Lynn Bogue Hunt of an eagle attacking a mountain goat. Professionally framed. Only the January page is attached; numerous fold marks; calendar appears to have been rolled at one time. (600 - 900) 553. Winchester self loading shotguns poster of retriever with canvasback. Poster is 15 1/2”x 26 1/2”. Retains top and bottom metal bands. Several fold marks go across the poster horizontally; a number of scrapes in the upper half of the poster. (1,200 - 1,800)
Virginia 554. Very rare canvasback drake, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; moderate wear on black areas; structurally very good.
Provenance: collection.
Private Southern
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. (2,000 - 3,000)
554
555. Hooded merganser drake, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia. Solid crest style. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. (1,800 - 2,200)
555
556. Merganser drake, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia, 1st quarter 20th century. Flat bottom style with solid crest. Inscription on underside reads, “Bought 4/11/45 from Robert F Melvin, Jr.” Original paint with minor wear; small crack in tail. Provenance: collection.
Private Southern (1,800 - 2,200)
556
557. Rare mallard hen, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Somers G. Headly. “SGH” stamp in underside.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. (1,500 - 2,000)
557
243
558
559
560
561
562A
562
558. Black duck, John Henry Downes. “JHD”carved in underside. Original paint that is mostly worn off; small cracks, dents, and shot marks.
Provenance: Sam Dyke collection.
(1,000 - 1,500)
559. Rare goldeneye drake, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia. Near mint original paint with minor discoloration to white areas; structurally good. (1,250 - 1,750) 560. Oversize black duck, Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Virginia. Original paint with minor wear on most of the decoy; moderate discoloration on one lower side and underside; age split in underside. (400 - 600)
244
561. Large black duck, Ira Hudson, Chincoteague, Virginia. Old in use repaint; small dents and cracks. (450 - 650) 562. Swimming black duck, Grayson Chesser, Jenkins Bridge, Virginia. Original paint with moderate war; small dents. (300 - 600) 562A. Coot with cast aluminum head, Jim Rowe, Norfolk, Virginia. J.L. Rowe stamped in the underside. Original paint; minor wear; crack in back; shallow chip missing from top of tail with touched up.
Provenance: Used in Back Bay, Virginia.
(900 - 1,200)
563
564
563. Hollow carved bluebill drake, Nathan Cobb, Jr., Cobb Island, Virginia, last quarter 19th century. Raised “V”wingtip carvings, carved eyes, and inlet head. Large serifed “N”carved in underside. Old in use repaint; crack through neck.
563 Detail
Provenance: Private Southern collection.
Literature: “Southern Decoys,” Henry Fleckenstein, Jr. (5,000 - 7,000) 564. Very rare pair of swimming buffleheads, attributed to Robert Andrews, Smith Island, Virginia. Both decoys have a large “A”carved under the tails. Old repaint; small cracks. Provenance: Private Southern collection.
(5,000 - 8,000)
245
Maryland
565
567
569
565. Canvasback drake, John “Daddy” Holly, Havre de Grace, Maryland, 3rd quarter 19th century. Reckless brand in underside. Old in use repaint; crack through neck; small cracks and dents. (1,200 - 1,500) 566. Canvasback from Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Branded “Widgeon” (a steamboat in 1881 that carried gunners to Chincoteague Island) and “P&M” for the owner and captain of the boat Reckless. Old in use repaint; small cracks and dents; crack through neck. (1,200 - 1,500) 567. Small body style canvasback drake, John Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; filler added to a chip in one side
246
566
568
570
of breast; small dents and cracks.
(500 - 700)
568. Canvasback drake, John Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Sleek body style. Old in use repaint; cracks; thin chip missing from top of head. (500 - 800) 569. Pair of greenwing teal, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Both are signed and dated 1978 with electropen. Both have slightly turned heads. Very good and original. (650 - 950) 570. Flat bottom style brant, Charlie Joiner, Chestertown, Maryland. Signed. Excellent and original. (650 - 950)
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
571. Oversize canvasback drake, George Schlothauer, Columbia, Pennsylvania, circa 1930. Large “S”carved in underside as well as brass name tag. Old in use repaint with moderate wear; crack through neck; cracks in body. (300 - 500) 572. Redhead drake, Ben Dye, Perryville, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Paint has been restored; small cracks and dents.
Provenance: Formerly in collection of Henry Fleckenstein, Jr., “F” branded in underside. (400 - 600)
573. Canvasback drake from Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Worn old paint; neck crack repair; small dents; worn area to wood in lower breast; crack through bill. (400 - 600) 574. Cast iron wingduck modeled from a standard grade Mason Factory decoy, circa 1900. (800 - 1,200)
575. Redhead drake, John “Daddy” Holly, Havre de Grace, Maryland, last quarter 19th century. Worn old paint; small cracks. (500 - 800) 576. Canvasback drake, John Graham, Charlestown, Maryland, 3rd quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; hit by shot; small cracks and dents. (500 - 800) 577. Canada goose, Paul Gibson, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Excellent and original. (350 - 450) 578. Black duck, Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland, circa 1960s. Original and good. (300 - 500) 579. Preening ruddyduck attributed to Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Original paint with minor wear and discoloration; small crack and dent in lower bre ast. (800 - 1,200)
247
Factory Decoys
581
580
583
582
584
585
580. Brant, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. From the Hard rig, Long Island, New York. Hard brand in underside. As with all Mason brant in this rig, the weight areas have been repainted and the bill has been trimmed slightly; the rest of the surface is original with minor wear; crack in underside.
Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
(1,250 - 1,750)
581. Canvasback drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Original paint with minor wear; minor roughness and some touchup on bill; repair to a chip on tip of bill; small dents and shot marks. (1,000 - 1,500) 582. Two merganser drakes, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Standard grade with tack eyes. Original paint with an old coat of varnish; varnish is discolored and has caused paint shrinkage on parts of the decoys; most of the neck filler is missing; one decoy has two cracks in the back. 248
Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
(1,000 - 1,200)
583. Mallard hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade with early snakey head style. “CH”branded in back. Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; professional tail chip repair; small dents and cracks. (950 - 1,250) 584. Canvasback hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade Seneca Lake model. Old touch up on breast and under the tail; small dabs of touchup on lower sides; the rest is original with minor wear; crack in underside; small surface cracks in one side.
Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
(900 - 1,200)
585. Bluewing teal drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade with snakey head style. Double blue. Branded “MR Ringman”in underside. Original paint with minor wear on much of the decoy; old overpaint has been removed from the head; rough areas on edges of tail that have old working repaint on them; numerous small dents. (900 - 1,200)
586
587
587A
587B
587C
586. Rare set of J.W. Reynolds Decoy Factory foldout Canada goose decoys, Chicago, Illinois. Four foldout tripods with metal heads. All have the Reynolds stamp. Included are the instructions and wooden carrying box. Original and good. (1,750 - 2,250) 587. Set of four foldout diver decoys, J.W. Reynolds Decoy Factory, Chicago, Illinois. All have Reynolds stamp on bases. In box with Reynolds stencil. Box fair; decoys original and good. (1,250 - 1,750) 587A. Three sets of foldout ducks, J.W. Reynolds Decoy
Factory, Chicago, Illinois. Black ducks, mallards and canvasbacks. Black ducks and canvasbacks have the Reynolds stamp. Original and good. (650 - 950) 587B. Two foldout sets of teal, J.W. Reynolds Decoy Factory, Chicago, Illinois. Two ducks in one set are quite rough; one set is very good. (500 - 800) 587C. Set of foldout pintails, J.W. Reynolds Decoy Factory, Chicago, Illinois. “HDW� is stenciled on one. Mackey collection stamp is on one of the bases. Original and good. (350 - 450)
249
Wildfowler Factory
589
588
590
592
591
593
588. Very rare oversize Atlantic Coast model pair of eiders, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, circa 1950. A few small dents and slight discoloration and wear; hen has more dents than the drake; small area of discoloration on lower side of drake. Provenance: Made for the Wass rig, Bar Harbor, Maine. Literature: “Wildfowler Book,” Dick Cowen and Dick LaFountain, p. 41. (1,500 - 2,500) 589. Very rare snow goose, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Quogue, New York. Quogue stamp in underside. A few small dents; minor wear to the extremities. (950 - 1,250) 590. Rare bluewing teal drake, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. 1939 cedar gunning model. Slightly turned head. Very good and original.
250
Literature: “Wildfowler Book,” Dick Cowen and Dick LaFountain, p. 31. (650 - 950)
594 591. Rigmate pair of widgeon, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Unstamped. Superior model with applied bottom board. Very good and original.
Provenance: Joe French collection stamp is on underside. (800 - 1,200)
592. Rare special order brant, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Unstamped. A few tiny dents, otherwise excellent and original.
Provenance: Made for Mort Hanson Sr., Brielle, New Jersey, in 1954. (600 - 900)
593. Decorative wood duck drake, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Quogue, New York. Quogue paper label on underside. Excellent and original.(500 - 700) 594. Mallard drake, Wildfowler Decoy Factory, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Unstamped. Superior model circa 1950. Excellent and original. (350 - 450)
595
598
597
599
600
595. Rigmate pair of mallards, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with good patina and very minor wear; slight roughness to tip of hen’s tail; also several cracks in hen’s neck filler; both have an in factory crack in the underside that was filled with a sliver of wood when the decoy was made.
Provenance: From an estate in Wisconsin. (2,500 - 3,500)
597. Merganser drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Branded “WJ Smith”. Old repaint; restoration to wooden crest; rough area on underside; small rough area on edge of bill. (800 - 1,200) 598. Rare widgeon drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade. Original paint with moderate discoloration and wear; small dents and shot marks;
slight wear to the wood at the edges of the bill; underside was whittled some when the weight was put on.
Provenance: Mallar collection.
(800 - 1,200)
599. Mallard hen, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Challenge grade, slope breasted model, circa 1890s. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; professional touchup to various parts of body; tail has been trimmed; lightly hit by shot; most of the neck filler has been replaced. (600 - 900) 600. Bluebill drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. Premier grade. Original paint with moderate discoloration and wear; filled area in underside where tie strap was once attached; small cracks and dents.
Provenance: Herbert Mason Estate.
(800 - 1,200) 251
Delbert “Cigar” Daisey Chincoteague, Virginia
600A
600C
600B
600D
600E
600A. Pair of swimming coots, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Both are branded “Cigar” and have slightly turned heads. Slight wingtip carving. Both have Daisey weights. Original paint; very minor wear, mostly on one side; shallow surface crack on one side. (1,200 - 1,600)
600D. Bluebill drake, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Signed and identified as a hunting decoy by Daisey. Also branded “Cigar”. Original paint with very slight wear; crack in back; small amount of discoloration on one side. (500 - 700)
600B. Feeding yellowlegs, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded and signed. Very good and original. (650 - 950)
600E. Three Verity style robin snipes, Mark McNair, Craddockville, Virginia. All are on their original bases that have been signed. Decoys are also numbered 1, 2, and 3. #1 is made from an early piece of white pine from an old barn in Pennsylvania. #2 is from a piece of white cedar that was found under water in a swamp. #3 is an early piece of northern white cedar. Very good and original. (2,500 - 3,500)
600C. Black duck with cork body, wooden head and keel, Cigar Daisey, Chincoteague, Virginia. Branded “Cigar” and signed. Original and good. (400 - 600)
252
Upper Midwest
600G
600F
600H
600I
600J
600K
600L
600M
600F. Hollow carved goldeneye drake, Nick Purdo, Detroit, Michigan. Detailed wingtip and tail carving. Hollow carved. Very good and original. (750 - 1,000) 600G. Canvasback drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with minor wear; a few small dents in tail, otherwise structurally good. (500 - 800) 600H. Great horned owl, James Elzinya, Augres, Michigan. Carved from one piece of wood. Signed “JE” on base. 17” tall. Good and original.
Provenance: Lancaster.
From the collection of Dick and Louis (300 - 400)
600I. Oversize redhead drake from Lake Michigan, 2nd quarter 20th century. Appealing old in use repaint; small cracks in back.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Hy Dahlka. (300 - 400)
600J. Pair of hand painted metal silhouettes with fitted and painted floater boards and attached keels. Approximately 15” long. Very good and original. (250 - 350) 600K. Large Canada goose appears to be from Wisconsin. Root head construction. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; small cracks; part of a knot missing from edge of tail. (250 - 350) 600L. Cast iron sink box decoy modeled after a Michigan decoy, last quarter 19th century Worn old paint; structurally good. (300 - 500) 600M. Greenwing teal hen with shoe button eyes, 1st quarter 20th century. Two piece body construction with center seam. Original paint with minor wear; lightly hit by shot. (400 - 600)
253
601
603
605 601. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Ralph Reghi. Original paint with minor wear, mostly on bills; lightly hit by shot; several hairline cracks in hen’s body. (650 - 950) 602. Hollow carved redhead hen, Fritz Geiger, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Original paint; minor wear; some old in use touchup; small surface crack in one lower side. (600 - 900) 603. Rigmate pair of mallards, Roy Discher, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Oversize balsa bodies with hardwood tails and heads. Hen has detailed feather scratching. Both show dents and scratches from hunting wear; original paint; structurally good. (600 - 800) 604. Rigmate pair of bluebills, Warren Dettman, Milawaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1930. Both carved in resting pose. Carved wings and crossed wingtips. Each is very worn. Original paint that is protected by an old coat of varnish; numerous dents and areas where paint has 254
602
604
606 worn away to expose darkened wood; small piece of wood missing near one eye on hen. (600 - 800) 605.
Rigmate pair of bluebills, Warren Dettman, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both have slightly turned heads. Hen is reaching forward slightly. Both have carved wings and wingtips. Paint appears to be a mix of original with areas on black that have been strengthened; protected by an old coat of varnish; a few shot marks and rubs. (600 - 800)
606. Canvasback drake, Charles Unger, Lake St. Clair, Michigan, last quarter 19th century. Hollow carved with “Unger”brand in underside. Damage at neck seat; paint has been completely restored; rough areas at top of head and bill. (500 - 700) 606A. Mallard hen, Charles Perdew, Henry, Illinois. Retains Perdew weight. Old in use repaint; cracks in head and neck; bill has been broken off and reattached with chips missing from wood. (400 - 600)
607
608
609
610
611
612
614
613
Wisconsin. Both are branded “HB.” Original paint with minor discoloration and wear; crack in lower side of each. (400 - 600)
607. Rare Canada goose, Butch Schramm, Algonac, Michigan. Schramm’s brand is in the underside. Original paint with very minor wear; structurally good.
Provenance: Purchased by the consignor directly from Schramm in 1970s. (500 - 700)
608. Black duck, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Original paint with minor wear; bottom board, although it has been on a very long time, appears to be a replacement. (500 - 800) 609. Rare Canada goose, Butch Schramm, Algonac, Michigan. Hollow carved with bottom board. Pieces by Schrum are very rare. Very good and original. (500 - 700) 610. Bluebill drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Hollowed from underside. Good and original. (400 - 500) 611. High head style redhead drake, Ben Schmidt, Detroit, Michigan. Signed by Schmidt on underside. Near mint. (400 - 600) 612. Rigmate pair of bluebills, August Guhl, Oshkosh,
615
613. Pair of cork body bluebills from Wisconsin, 2nd quarter 20th century. Slightly turned wooden heads and wooden bottom boards. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; some wear to cork; some old touchup to black areas of drake. (350 - 450) 614. Well carved Canada goose field decoy from the Midwest. Appears to be about 50 years old. Carved in a feeding pose from balsa wood. Head is removable. Original paint with light gunning wear; a few dents in balsa. (500 - 800) 615. Redhead hen, Andy Meyers, Saginaw Bay, Michigan, 1st quarter 20th century. Hollow carved with bottom board. Branded “Kangas”on underside. Paint appears to be second coat by Meyers; rough area on head and bill; several shot marks to one side of body.
Literature: “Decoys: A North American Survey,” Gene and Linda Kangas, p. 215, exact decoy. (300 - 500)
255
Canada
618
617
619
621
620
622
617. Greenwing teal drake, Toronto Harbor, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Appealing old in use repaint; structurally good. (600 - 900) 618. Mallard drake, Burleigh Brothers, Toronto, Ontario. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (600 - 900) 619. Canada goose, Paul Emile LaComb, Louiseville, Quebec. Slightly turned head and detailed feather carving. Original paint with minor wear; mostly on extremities; a few tiny dents. (400 - 600) 620. Hooded merganser drake, from Ontario. Hollow carved. Old in use repaint; small dents and shot marks. (350 - 450)
256
622A
621. Preening wood duck drake from Eastern Ontario. Detailed feather carving. Original paint with slight wear; separation at neck seam; small crack through bill. (400 - 600) 622. Hollow carved redhead drake, John R. Wells, Toronto, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Old in use repaint; several small nails added to neck base; a few filled shot holes. (400 - 600) 622A. Rare stick up mallard drake from Manitoba. Used at the Oak Lake Shooting Club. Circa 1925. Original paint with minor wear; crack in underside with paint loss in that area; large knot in tail with paint and some wood missing from that area. (900 - 1,200)
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
623. Hollow carved black duck, Ginger Waymarch Belleville, Ontario, 1st quarter 20th century. Original paint with minor wear; structurally good. (350 - 450) 624. Bluewing teal hen, similar to work of Bill Cooper, Verdun, Quebec. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; old touchup on speculums; cracks in breast and tail. (350 - 550) 625. Swimming black duck, Ernie Fox, Belleville, Ontario. Slightly turned head. Original paint with minor to moderate wear; a few small dents and cracks. (350 - 450) 626. Black duck silhouette, Billy Ellis, Whitby, Ontario. Small amount of paint loss on one speculum and on back of head otherwise very good and original. (300 - 500) 627. Black duck, Cliff Avann, Toronto, Ontario. Slightly turned head. Good scratch paint detail. Original paint with minor wear; small rough spots with touchup in center of back. (300 - 500)
628. Hooded merganser drake from Eastern Ontario. Old in use repaint; slight separation at body seam. (300 - 500) 629. Hollow carved bluebill drake from Ontario, 1st quarter 20th century. “WJ Swift” is stamped numerous times in the underside. Original comb painting with moderate wear on back; the rest has old in use repaint; head is a little loose; crack in neck base; lightly hit by shot. (300 - 500) 630. Black duck, William Dennison, Gananoque, Ontario. Feather carving detail and slightly turned head. Original paint with slight wear; lightly hit by shot. (300 - 450) 631. Bluebill drake, John Reeves, Long Point, Ontario, last quarter 19th century. Solid body with tack eyes. Original paint with moderate wear on much of the decoy; old repaint on gray areas; lightly hit by shot; crack in underside. (300 - 400)
End of Session Two 257
Index of Carvers Adamson, Harry............................................................................. 103 Aho, George................................................................................... 336 Allen, Charles.................................................................................. 20 Allen, Fred.............................................................................. 142,143 American Powder........................................................................... 550 Andreuccetti, Luigi.......................................................................... 60 Anger, Ken.................................................................. 74,301,306,463 Antis, Harry...................................................................... 279,281,282 Audubon, John J.....................................................................235-237 Avann, Cliff.................................................................................... 627 Bach, Ferdinand............................................................... 121,122,132 Barber, Joel.................................................................................... 322 Barnard Family .............................................................................. 88 Barnes, George Washington............................................................. 86 Barnes, Sam..................................................................................... 87 Beasly, Walter.................................................................................. 43 Beckhart, James.......................................................................... 483A Benson, Frank................................................................................ 238 Bergman, Charles............................................................................. 63 Bicknell, Percy................................................................................. 62 Binks, Rueben Ward...................................................................... 110 Birch, Reggie................................................................................. 374 Bishop, Richard....................................................................... 112,113 Bowles, A.M........................................................................... 481,482 Bowman, William.......................................................................... 453 Boyd, George....................................................................... 427A,428 Brunet, Jude................................................................................... 389 Buchannan, Charles....................................................................... 469 Burgess, Ned............................................................................... 41,44 Burleigh Brothers .................................................................. 298,618 Card, M.E....................................................................................... 509 Carlson, Kenneth............................................................................ 280 Carney, Armand............................................................................. 365 Chadwick, Keyes.................................................................... 427,430 Chambers, Tom............................................................. 70,78,305,309 Cheesman, Vern............................................................................. 145 Chesser, Grayson...................................................... 363,376,377,562 Christie, Tom.................................................................................. 388 Chrysler, William...................................................................... 69,473 Clark, Roland....................................................................... 228,289A Clifford, Bill..................................................................... 480,492,494 Cobb, Jr., Nathan............................................................................ 563 Conklin, Hurley.......................................................................266-278 Conklin, Roy........................................................................... 326,327 Cooper, Bill.................................................................................... 464 Coughlan, Jerry.............................................................................. 468 Crandall, Hi................................................................................. 58,59 Crook, Dan..................................................................................... 487 Crowell, Elmer...........66B,208 ,209,213,214,396-397A,420-422,433 Daisey, Cigar.....................................................................600A-600D Davidson, Keith...................................................................... 522,523 Dawson, Tube.................................................................................. 33 Dennison, William......................................................................... 630 Denny, Sam.................................................................................... 320 Dettman, Warren....................................................... 405,407,604,605 Discher, Roy................................................................................... 603 Dodge Decoy Factory .............................................158,245,258-260 Downes, John................................................................................. 558 Dudley, Lee...................................................................................... 47 Duplessis, David............................................................................ 478 DuPont .................................................................................. 539,548 Durham, Bull.................................................................................. 547 Dye, Ben................................................................................... 84,572
Ellis, Billy............................................................................... 302,626 Elliston, Robert................ 31,35,38,40,140,153,154,345,348,418,419 Elzinya, James............................................................................. 600H English, Dan..................................................................................... 23 Ettinger, Churchill.......................................................................... 215 Evans Decoy Factory .............................................. 243,247,249,256 Feasal, Bill..................................................................................... 335 Foote, Jim....................................................311,381-383,391,392,525 Fox, Ernie....................................................................................... 625 Fox, Pecor...................................................................................... 175 Frasier, Nate................................................................................... 455 Frost, Arthur Burdett............................................................... 217,220 Fulcher, Mitchell.............................................................................. 45 Galataas, Phillip............................................................................. 527 Garretson, Mark............................................................................. 313 Gatreau, Jim................................................................................ 301A Gearhard, Donald Roosevelt.......................................................... 513 Geiger, Fritz................................................................................... 602 Gelston, Thomas............................................................................ 456 Gibson, Paul................................................................................... 577 Gilbert, Robert............................................................................... 296 Glassford, Al.................................................................................. 521 Godin, Pat...................................................................................... 393 Gorsline, Sadford........................................................................... 300 Graham, John.............................................................. 99,567,568,576 Graves, Bert............................................. 150,155,156,343A,413,415 Guhl, August.................................................................................. 612 Hagerbaumer, David............................................................... 222,223 Hammerstad, J................................................................................ 225 Hancock, Clyde.............................................................................. 493 Hanson, Mark................................................................................. 229 Hanson, Marty................................................................................ 361 Harrington, David.......................................................................... 434 Harris, Ken..................................................................................... 329 Harris Family ............................................................................... 212 Hart, Charles.................................................................................. 429 Hawthorne, Davison...................................................................... 366 Hayden, Larry................................................................................ 176 Hays Decoy Factory, ...................................................... 246,248,250 Herbert, Del............................................................................. 375,395 Herter’s Decoy Factort .......................................................... 252,255 Hill, Lewis...................................................................................... 437 Holly, John “Daddy”.......................................................... 89,565,575 Holmes, Ben................................................................................... 432 Homme, Ferd................................................................................. 412 Homme, Mandt.............................................................................. 411 Horner, Rowley........................................................................... 15,16 Hudson, Ira..................................................................................... 561 Humphreys, H.K............................................................................ 500 Hunt, Lynn Bogue.............................................. 102,106,107,108,111 Irwin, Ed................................................................................. 166,167 J. Dukehert and Company ............................................................ 538 J.W. Reynolds Factory ................................................ 586,587-587B Jackson, Joe.................................................................................... 530 Jaques, Francis Lee........................................................................ 219 Jester, Doug.............................................................................554-560 Johnston, Herbert........................................................................... 178 Joiner, Charlie........................................................................... 97,570 Kavanagh, David............................................................................ 297 Keller, Ed......................................................................................... 34 Kelley, Ed....................................................................................... 131 King Powder ......................................................................... 546,549 Koelpin, William............................................. 283,288,312,316,316A
Kruth, George................................................................................ 526 Kuhn, Bob...................................................................................... 101 Kuss, Frank.................................................................................... 174 LaComb, Paul Emile...................................................................... 619 Laing, Albert.................................................................................. 440 Landseer, Thomas.......................................................................... 241 Lashbrook, Virgil........................................................................... 358 Lawson, Oliver.............................................................................. 66A LeBoeuf, Orel......................................................................... 466,467 Leeder, John................................................................................... 394 Lewis, C.B...................................................................................188E Lincoln, Joseph....................................................................... 423,438 Linke, Edward J............................................................................. 330 Lockard, George.............................................................................. 85 Loge, Daniel............................................................................ 226,227 Maass, David........................................................................... 114,240 Machen ......................................................................................... 231 Marinkos, John................................................................................. 22 Mason, Marvin............................................................................... 334 Mason Decoy Factory, .............1-14,157-165,189-207,441-450,457, 580-585A,595,597-600 McGaw, Robert................................................................................ 98 McIntyre, Cameron.......................................................... 362,394,524 McNair, Ian.................................................................................... 369 McNair, Mark...............................................................................600E Meyer, Andy................................................................................... 615 Midget Family ................................................................................ 42 Miller, Clarence............................................................................. 528 Mitchell, Madison................................................................... 569,578 Mittlestadt, Robert......................................................................... 319 Moak, Gus...................................................................................... 410 Morrett, Mike.............................................................................. 188G Morrow, John................................................................................. 479 Mosely, Doug................................................................................... 39 Mueller, Keith................................................................................ 367 Nichol, D.W.........................................................................48-57,470 Nottingham, Luther Lee................................................................. 458 Ohnmacht, Bernard..................................................................... 343C Osthaus, Edmond.................................................................... 104,105 Paroyan, Victor.............................................................................. 387 Pautrot, Ferdinand.......................................................................... 314 Perdew, Charles................25-29,64-66,146,148,152,343B,343D,346, 347,349-351,356,360,414,416,485,486,491,606A Pertuit, Tatie................................................................................... 474 Peters Cartridge................................................................ 537,542,543 Peterson, Oscar...........................................179,181,183-185,188,342 Peterson Decoy Factor ................................................................. 257 Pioletti, Mario.................................................................................. 36 Pirnie, Miles............................................................................ 137,518 Pleissner, Ogden............................................................................. 224 Pozzini, Charles............................................................................. 151 Pratt Decoy Factory ..................................................................... 251 Pringle, Peter............................................................................... 75,79 Purdo, Nick..................................................................................600F Quillin, Nate..................................................................... 115,125,136 Reeves, John.................................................................................. 631 Reghi, Ralph.................................................................................. 601 Reindahl, Enoch............................................................... 403,404,406 Remington .................................................................................... 544 Reneson, Chet................................................................................ 221 Ripley, Aiden Lassell....................................................... 216,233,234 Rodell, Don............................................................................. 284,285 Rogers, Gus.................................................................................... 324 Rosseau, Percival........................................................................... 218 Rousseau, Reme............................................................................. 475
Rowe, Jim................................................................................... 562A Ruggles, Henry................................................................................ 32 Rutledge, Archibald....................................................................... 483 Sachi, Nick....................................................................................... 21 Schifferl, Lou................................................................................. 371 Schlothauer, George....................................................................... 571 Schmidt, Ben............................... 118-120,126-128,130,133-135,138, 600G,608,610,611 Schmidt, Frank............................................................................... 129 Schmiedlin, Jim............................................188F,260A-265,532-535 Schoenheider, Jr, Charles............................................................... 352 Schoenheider, Sr, Charles.............................................................. 354 Schramm, Butch...................................................................... 607,609 Schroeder, Tom......................................................................... 67,520 Schwartz, Jack................................................................................ 144 Schweikart, John............................................................................ 139 Scott, Sir Peter............................................................................... 109 Scrivens, Don................................................................................. 123 Selby Smelting and Lead Company ............................................. 536 Seymour, Harry....................................................................... 168,170 Sharp, John..............................................................................384-386 Shaw, Billy..................................................................................... 344 Shourds, Harry V............................................................................ 460 Sibley, George................................................................................ 116 Sieger, Joseph................................................................................. 409 Smith, Cassius................................................................................ 435 Stevens Brothers, ............................................................... 325,329B Stewart, Bud................................................................................... 333 Stouffer, E.F................................................................................ 490B Strey, Frank............................................................................. 408,514 Strunk, George..................................................................... 188H,368 Sutton, Sean................................................................................... 276 Tepplt, Ron..................................................................................... 529 Trutone, ..................................................................................... 490A Tule Lake Decoy Company ......................................................... 244 Tully, Bud....................................................................................... 462 Tully, Dhure and John.................................................................... 186 Turner, Dave.................................................................................. 315 Turpin, Tom.................................................................................... 495 Turtle Creel Company .................................................................. 339 US Shotshells ............................................................................... 545 Verity, Obediah................................................................ 451,452,454 Vizier, Clovis.......................................................................... 476,477 Vizier, Jimmie................................................................................ 379 Vogel, Chuck............................................................................... 188B Walker, Charles....................................................................... 141,417 Ward, David................................................................................... 372 Ward Brothers, ................................................. 81-83,91-95,100,531 Warin, George......................................................................... 308,310 Waymarch, Ginger......................................................................... 623 Weeks, Robert................................................................................ 359 Wells, John R............................................................. 71,77A,291,622 Wheeler, Chauncey.......................................................... 318,321,323 Wheeler, Shang.............................................................................. 424 White, Dennis................................................................................ 472 Whittington, Hector....................................................................... 147 Whittington, Hector........................................ 30,37,147,353,355,357 Wildfowler Decoy Factory, .....................................253,254,588-594 Wilson, Gus.............................................................................398-402 Winchester .............................................................. 540,541,552,553 Wooster, Joseph.............................................................................. 378 Wozny, Eddie................................................................................. 390 Wright, Alvirah................................................................................ 46 Younger, Evans.............................................................................. 286
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
We are pleased to announce that Robert J. Koenke has accepted the position of Guyette & Deeter, Inc.’s Sporting and Wildlife Art Expert. We are confident that he will be an excellent fit within our organization.
Mr. Koenke has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Art Advisory Board of the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland since 1985 and served on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, South Carolina. He has also consulted on numerous wildlife art shows across the United States. He was a member of the Art Advisory Board for the Arts in the Park program in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and judged the competition twice. He was appointed in the National Art Advisory Board for Ducks Unlimited in 1989, and he has served on the Board of Advisors for the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis since 1989 and was instrumental in the museum’s Wildlife Art in America Exhibition in 1994. He was named chairman of the Art Advisory Board in 1995 and still serves on the museum’s Advisory Board. In 1990, Mr. Koenke received the Wildlife Art industry “Person of the Year” award at the Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show in Tacoma, Washington. This award, the first of its kind, was presented to Koenke for “major contribution to the wildlife art industry.” He was also recognized for “Outstanding Service and leadership by the California Artists Association in 2002. The Fallbrooks Museum awarded Mr. Koenke their “Lifetime Achievement Award for the Arts” in 2003. His contribution and major impact on the Waterfowl Festival was recognized at its silver anniversary festival in 1995 when Mr. Koenke was named to the Waterfowl Festival Hall of Fame. In 1997, Mr. Koenke was honored as a recipient of the Frazier Hancock Award for excellence in a private ceremony in Ohio. In 2005, Mr. Koenke moved to Maryland and started a new business, Robert J. Koenke & Associates, specializing in art and marketing consultation, fine art appraisals, teaching, and publishing. He received his Fine Arts in Appraisal degree from Pratt Institute in New York in 2007 and is a candidate member of the American Society of Appraisers. He holds a BA degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota and currently resides and has offices on the eastern shore of Maryland. Mr. Koenke has been appraising fine art for over 30 years. His specialty is animal, sporting, and wildlife art with a subspecialty in early European and American art. He has completed appraisals for private collections, museums, exhibitions, attorneys in five states and fine art dealers.
D a F ec N ea oy um tu s i b ri n er ng th o is f t Au he cti on
ANNOUNCING
A Complete Pictorial Guide UPDATED EDITION
Hardcover FIRST UPDATE IN 12 YEARS
• Reflects recent auction results. • New chapter on Petersen and Dodge decoys. Easily tell one from the other. • Hardbound with 172 pages and over 550 color photographs. • FREE U.S. shipping. ORDER NOW Online: www.RJGAntiques.com RJG Antiques, PO Box 60, Rye, NH 03870 603.433.1770 • russ@RJGAntiques.com
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Digital FIRST MAJOR DIGITAL DECOY REFERENCE BOOK
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Search by word, species, etc. Blow up photos. Take to shows and auctions. An important addition to your library, even if you already own a copy. • For Kindle, iPad, Nook or your computer. Available for immediate download. ORDER NOW Kindle • www.amazon.com iPad • www.itunes.com Nook • www.bn.com
DIGITAL EDITION
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by Russ J. Goldberger & Alan G. Haid www.RJGAntiques.com • 603.433.1770 • PO Box 60, Rye, NH 03870
5 1
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A M E R I C A N
Vintage Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show Don’t miss the largest gathering of Sporting Collectibles enthusiasts in North America. The must attend show for anyone interested in America’s hunting and fishing past and the great folk art that grew from it. Room-to-Room Trading. Guyette and Deeter Auction. Tabled Dealer Show. Free Appraisals. Collector Seminars and Displays.
April 19-23, 2016 Pheasant Run Resort St. Charles, IL Open to the public
Tuesday, April 19
All Day – Room-to-room trading
Wednesday, April 20 All Day – Room-to-room trading 6pm – Auction Preview Reception
Thursday, April 21
All Day – Room-to-room trading 9am – Minnesota Decoy Seminar 9:30am - 1pm – Show Registration in Library 11am – Guyette & Deeter Auction Day 1 4pm – Evans Collectors Meeting 6pm – Call Makers Auction & Party
Vintage Minnesota Decoy Display
P R E S E RV I N G T H I S O R I G I N A L A M E R I C A N F O L K A RT H I STO RY S I N C E 1 9 6 6
Friday, April 22 9am – Call Makers Meeting & Contest Judging 8:30am – Member “Town Hall” Meeting 10am – Guyette & Deeter Auction Day 2 2pm to 7pm – Table Event in Mega Center Vintage Minnesota Decoy Display Vintage Minnesota Fish Display New Shell Box Display Shooting / Gunning Box Display New Animal Trap Display Featured Carver Exhibit – Ben Heinemann Contemporary Carver Demonstrations / Display Free Identification and Appraisals
Saturday, April 23
9am - 2pm – Table Event in Mega Center Friday Displays / Demonstrations / Appraisals Continue
Over 30,000 items for sale
To book rooms at Pheasant Run call
Theresa Stafford, 630-524-5038 For information on daily events, and reserving selling tables go to
midwestdecoy.org or call 586-530-6586
2016 Baton Rouge Antique Decoy Show
Southeast Antique Decoy Collectors Swap Meet Join Us For this Antique Louisiana decoy collectors event. Display, Buy, Sell & Swap.
August 27, 2016 • 9am to 4pm
Activities Exhibitor display tables available on a first come first served basis. Request that exhibitors donate door prizes to BREC in lieu of $50 table rental.
Hosted by the BREC • Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
Mark "McCool" Whipple pintail
Premium Southern Antique Decoy Collectors Display Primitive Decoy Carving Demos Antique Pirogue Boat Displays Interactive Activities and Games for Children
Special presentations to honor the Bayou Terrebonne and West Louisiana Decoy Carvers contributions to Louisiana Waterfowl History
Location BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center 10503 N. Oak Hills Parkway Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810 Directions
For event Information, table reservations and decoy display contact Gary Lipham • garylipham1@gmail.com • (225) 571-2835
Exit I-10 at Bluebonnet BLVD. Travel past the Mall and cross Perkins. Turn toward the Whitney Bank on N. Oak Hills Pkwy into the parking lot.
New Book! WILDFOWL DECOYS of CALIFORNIA
Wildfowl Decoys of California • Over 300 carvers. • Nearly 3000 color photos of decoys. • About 160 b/w portraits, vintage club houses, hunter success photos, many vintage maps. • History of duck hunting. Market hunting. • Discussion of waterfowl populations and habitats. • Special California shotgun shell box section. • Oil paintings and sketches by Harry Curieux Adamson. • Only 1000 books printed. • 688 pages in 9x12” format. Price $90 + $5 S/H ($10 Canada, $50 Europe). Washington state residents add $7 sales tax. Order online: www.westcoastdecoys.com
Vintage Carving Traditions of the Golden State
Vintage Carving Traditions of the Golden State
Order by mail: Triple-D Book Publishing, c/o Michael Miller, 1022 W Osprey Heights Drive, Spokane WA 99224; make checks payable to Triple-D Book Publishing. Triple-D Inquiries: californiadecoys@gmail.com
Book Publishing
WILDFOWL DECOYS of CALIFORNIA Vintage Carving Traditions of the Golden State
by Michael R. Miller Photography by Edward J. Potter Paintings by Harry Curieux Adamson
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Dedicated to promoting interest in and knowledge of the history of callmaking in America and to create a fellowship between all those who are involved in making and/or collecting game calls.
Callmaker Shows & Competitions Seminars & Trading Events Unique Collector Network Quarterly Newsletter
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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
November 11-13, 2016
CONDITIONS OF SALE ‑- PLEASE READ 1.
GUARANTEE ‑ We have made a consistent effort in correctly cataloging and describing the property to be sold. The decoys and paintings have guaranteed condition reports. 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 absentee, the guarantee will end 3 days from the date 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 the 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’s sales records shall be conclusive as to who 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 - $2,000 $1000 to $10,000 - $100 $20,000 to $100,000 - $1,000 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 35 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. PAYMENT FOR PURCHASES MAY BE MADE WITH VISA , MASTERCARD, CASH, CHECK, OR WIRE TRANSFER. 8. 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. 9. TAX ‑ THERE IS A 8% SALES TAX IN ILLINOIS. Tax is waived if buyer presents a valid resale certificate from any state or has purchases shipped outSIDE of SOUTH CAROLINA. 10. ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS ‑ Bidding on any articles in this catalog indicates your acceptance of all the above items. 11. 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. 12. WITHDRAWAL ‑ We reserve the right to withdraw any property before the sale and shall have no liability whatsoever for such withdrawal. 13. 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 & Deeter 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. 14. 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. 15. All calls are sold “As Is”. 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 successful or unsuccessful. 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 4 phone lines into the auction room and phone bids will be handled on a first come, first serve 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 $1,000, but not wishing to lose the lot for simply $25 more, the party might bid $1,000 + 1 bid if they definitely don’t want to go over a certain price, they would indicate $1,000 +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 serve 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. 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 2 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 and Deeter auctions. 12. Bidding on any article(s) indicates your acceptance of these terms above. 13. If you would like any additional information on any of the lots, please contact: Gary Guyette at (410) 745-0485 or Jon Deeter at (440) 610-1768. nd
If you have any questions concerning absentee bids, please call us.
OFFICE: OFFICE:
ABSENTEE AND PHONE BID FORM
POBox Box1170 1170 PO St. Michaels, MD 21663 St. Michaels, MD 21663 410-745-0485 410-745-0485 Fax410-745-0487 410-745-0487 Fax decoys@guyetteandschmidt.com decoys@guyetteanddeeter.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.)
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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
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216
1
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G u y e t t e & De e te r, Inc .
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