Ken Anger,Dunneville,Ontario,Canada C 44
Hen Mallard by Ken Anger which is a very early example of his work. Rasp detail especially to the head with great feather paint, raised tail feathers and detailed bill carving. Rare hen in original paint with wonderful old patina in mint condition. No touch-up or repairs. Retains original glass eyes and great form. The hen is rare, especially in this condition. The numbers 333 are inscribed on the bottom.
NICHOL DECOYS
THE SMITH FALLS SCHOOL OF CARVING
BY: BERNIE GATES,JEFF MEWBURN AND
WILLIAM C. REEVE C 39
This book is a great autobiography of D.W. Nichol featuring outstanding examples of wildfowl folk art. The book also provides valuable guidance for the collector in distinguishing the characteristic features of birds carved by D.K., Addie, and D.W. Nichol. Full color with more than 200 decoys illustrated. $39.95 plus shipping!
ED POMEROY,ORILLA,ONTARIO,CANADA PRICE REDUCED! C 34
Outstanding early drake bluebill from noted Ontario carver Ed Pomeroy one of the Pomeroy brothers.First quarter 20th century in O.P. as well as very good condition. Some rubs to the paint as shown on the side as well as a couple small areas of the head. The only possible exception to the statement regarding O.P. may be a small amount of gunning hunter touch-up to the white paint around the bill and the wing patch which is not certain either way. Working decoy has great form and retains the original glass eyes. Nice addition to any collection. Ca. 1935.
DAVEY NICHOL,SMITH FALLS,ONTARIO
PAIR OF MID PERIOD DAVEY NICHOL SOLID BODY GREEN WING TEAL IN EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION AS WELL AS PAINT. THE EYES ARE OFF VERY SLIGHTLY INDICATING THE PERIOD OF THE CARVING AS NICHOL SUFFERED FROM AN ASTIGMATISM THAT GOT WORSE WITH AGE. THIS PAIR HAS ALL THE NICHOL TRAITS AND ARE HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE AS A PAIR IN THIS CONDITION!
ERNIE FOX,BROCKVILLE,ONTARIO,CANADA PRICE REDUCED! C 33
Ernest Edward (Ernie) Fox in a great example of his work with this tucked head swimming black duck in great form. Early period example with paddle tail and humped back. Decoy retains the original glass eyes and is in O.P. as well as condition. In-use even gunning wear to the paint with no structural problems noted. Ca. 1952. Ernie created less detailed more folky carvings in his early work as he learned his trade from another well known Thousand Islands carver, Jack Shepherd. The decoy also shows the influence of fellow carver Ferman Eyre. Ernie liked to especially carve and paint Black ducks, Broadbill and Whistler decoys because he was color blind and needed the assistance of his wife to mix the paint as well as to choose the glass eyes.
DAVEY NICHOL,SMITH FALLS,ONTARIO
RARE SOLID BODY HEN BUFFLEHEAD IN ORIGINAL CONDITION AS WELL AS PAINT IN NEAR MINT TO MINT CONDITION. HAS ALL THE HALLMARK NICHOL TRAITS INCLUDING RAISED DETAILED WING FEATHER CARVING, BILL COGGLING AND GREAT PAINT TECHNIQUE. VERY COLLECTIBLE, MIDDLE PERIOD DECOY BY THE FAMED SMITH FALLS ONTARIO CARVER!
Orel LeBoeuf,St.Anicet,Quebec C 13
Very important and unusual over sized Drake Bluebill by Oreal LeBoeuf of St. Anicet, Quebec,Canada. Carving is Ca. 1930's in original condition with the exception of the bill which has been replaced. Mostly original paint with some old hunter touch-up to the outline of the body,(Black Paint). Rare style with raised back. Small age crack around the neck as well as down the mid line of the body as shown.
William Dolson, Martin Island,Ontario
15" solid hump back by the Dolson family, very rare and elusive carving for any collector of Ontario decoys. Wonderful form and original paint well worn. Dates to very early 1900's.
Bob Kerr, Smith Falls,Ontario C18
Working Broadbill working decoy with bottom keel stamped by the maker as shown. Bob Kerr began carving decoys in 1959 and learned from the famed Davey Nichol among others. He has his own refined style of detailing in the carving of the feathers which is both attractive as well as realistic. His hunting decoys, like his decorative birds, are quite detailed both in regards to carving as well as paint. Bob uses a bandsaw to cut the basic shape and then all hand tools to "roll" the sides of his decoys and to do the extensive wing shaping.This decoy is done in well aged cedar that probably came from an old barn.Solid body in original paint as well as condition, retaining the original keel and glass eyes. Investment grade decoy in mint to near mint condition.
Bill Cooper, Verdun,Quebec, Canada C17
Bill Cooper working Black Duck in original paint as well as condition. Some rubs to the paint as shown attributed to in-use gunning wear to the tips of the paint. Very detailed hand painted feathering and typical raised wing carving. 45 degree turned head with nail bill and incised nostril carving at the top of the bill. Dowel capped on the bottom to keep the head in position. Several small holes on the bottom where a keel was once a part of this working decoy. About 15" Long by 7" in width at the widest point. Very, very good example of the work of Bill Cooper!
Salmon Rig,Long Point,Ontario
Circa 1860 "Salmon Rig" hollow body 13" Redhead very old working decoy in original paint as well as condition from Long Point, Ontario. See page 81 of the St. Clair to St. Lawrence book for a direct reference of this decoy. Highly collectible!
Tuffield King, Go Home Bay,Ontario
See Bernie Gates first book on page 62 for an identical decoy to this Tuffield King Hooded Merganser. Original condition as well as paint with painted eyes. Very hard to find example of this carvers work, circa 1940. 10" long.
Unidentified Goose,PEI,Canada. PRICE REDUCED! C 11
Prince Edward Island Root head Canada Goose in mostly original paint as well as condition. Old second coat of paint to the white areas including on the head. A lot of draw plane marks in the wood. The eyes are natural (knots through the wood)and the bill neck and head are two separate pieces. Originally this decoy appears to have had two iron legs which were sawed off the body so the decoy could be used as a floater. The single leg was put back on later to use once again as it had been originally intended as a field decoy. This is the condition in which the collector found it many years ago. This is a great decoy! One of my favorites.
William Clarke,Toronto,Ontario
16" Toronto solid body decoy that was long known as a Shannon Crier, but Crier was the hunter and Clarke was the hunting partner and the carver! Rare Mallard in original paint as well as condition with two copper tail curls. Most of the rigs were Black Ducks.
J.R.Jack Wells,Toronto/Long Pt.,Ont.,Canada PRICE REDUCED! C7
Thin shell delicate Drake Redhead in mostly original paint and original condition. Some over paint to the neck, breast and tail area which is well worn. Hollow with a 1/2 bottom board board showing Wells great yet simple attention to small details. When Wells carved a decoy the first thing that comes to mind is it looks like a duck in the water and that is probably the best compliment any carver from any era can ever achieve! Investment grade decoy for a very fair price.
Bud Tully,Peterborough,Ont.,Canada PRICE REDUCED! C 10
Black Duck by Bud Tully,Ca.1935. Hollow working decoy with a really great surface. Detailed carving to the primary and secondary feathers. Wonderful form with an old light olive wash that is mostly worn back to the original surface. Retains thew original glass eyes and is structurally all original. Just a real nice Canadian decoy for any collector!
Alain McDonald,Riquad,Quebec,MM C1 PRICE REDUCED!!!!
Placque carving by Alain McDonald,(1886-1961) from Riquad, Quebec. For reference material please see "Waterfowl Decoy's Of The Montreal Region" by Michel Belisle. Circa 1925. A wonderful attribute of this work is the head which is turned out. This gave the carver a unique ability to create a full, perfectly carved bill for a overall, graceful and realistic look.This carving retains the original glass eyes. A closer look shows this Drake Goldeneye has very detailed carving with artistic feather blending of oils that made MacDonald the "Elmer Crowell" of Canada as quoted by Francois St. Onge. Original condition as well as paint. Small tight crack on the cheek that runs under part of the bill.
Walter Donaldson,Kingston,Ontario C 23
Walter Donaldson Black Duck in original paint as well as condition in wonderful form with delicate rasp work to the surface. The late Walter Donaldson (1914-1991), carved about 400 decoys mainly in the early 40's. See as a reference, Stewart's book "Decoys Of The Thousand Islands", pages 38-39. Decoy shows old in-use well worn paint and a small crack around the base of the neck. Head is not loose however. Donaldson is one of my personal favorites, because he really in my opinion understood the importance of form.
Addie Nichol,Smith Falls,Ont., C 14
Important 12" long Drake Redhead by old time Smith Falls,Ontario carver Addie Nichol, uncle of well known carver Davey Nichol. The style of this decoy was once attributed to Bob Jones from Demorestville,Ontario. Recent publications have led to this working toller being identified as the work of the elder Addie,aka James Adam "Addie" Nichol. Decoy is hollow and as such very light showing some wear to the tips of the paint as well as a few shot marks. Note the distinctive swirl as well as feather paint detailing to the back. Great form and a decoy in original paint as well as condition, making this very collectible!
Hank Catton,London,Ontario
Drake Canvasback with worn original paint as well as condition, neck filler has been reset as well as a repair to the bill. Known as the "Chatom Smiler". Solid body 17" old working decoy.
J.R. "Jack" Wells,Toronto,Ontario PRICE REDUCED! C2
Solid body Red Head by J.R. Jack Wells with the J.R.W. Maker Brand on the bottom.Some paint strengthening to the head and tail area. Old working decoy retains the original glass eyes and is in great form.
Addie Nichol, Smith Falls,ON.,
1948 Drake Whistler working decoy by Addie Nichol of Smith Falls Ontario. 13" solid body from an early period in original paint as well as condition. Note the typical great paint with typical feather carving.
Unidentified Carver, Ontario,
Very thin shell, thin bottom board, Toronto school, Warin/Ward style decoy that was probably a Black Duck modified to look like a Merganser with the addition of a horse-hair comb and a few light strokes of white paint. Wonderful piece of folk art!
Unidentified Carver,Toronto,Ontario,C 54
Very interesting as well as unusual Goiter neck Canadian Goose decoy in original condition as well as paint.Outstanding high neck form from this unidentified Ontario carver.
Percy Bovey,Gananoque,Ontario C 25
This offering is a Rare example of Percy Bovey's talented ability from his later period carving in original paint as well as condition. Retaining the original glass eyes, this Black Duck has raised wings and wonderful scratch paint to the body. Ca. 1950's, this decorative carving is much harder to find than his working decoys.Great form with a turned head, this solid decoy is an example of how Thousand Island decoys in this condition, are of Investment quality! Mint Condition and a great addition to any Canadian collection!
PEI.,Canada, Attributed to John Brooks.PRICE REDUCED! C 12
Approximately Ca. 1920-1930. Outstanding large cedar floater with in-use original paint as well as condition. In-use gunning wear as noted in the photo's as well as an age seam down the center top of the Goose. The decoy has a squared off tail and "whittle" marks which are actually spoke shave marks. This is a two handed plane used to turn rectangular wheel spokes into oblong spokes which is a great tool to use as opposed to files and sandpaper for a decoy carver. Nice form with a very long neck,(sentry) and a two piece head. Great honest piece of old investment grade folk art.
Attributed Warin/Ward,Toronto,Canada PRICE REDUCED! C 36
Very old working toller with ballast weight. Very honest decoy as the paint although well worn shows no touch up as to structure or paint which is original. Decoy was either done by Ward or Warin or perhaps was done by both together as examples of this exist. Small amount of neck filler applied some time ago. Glass eyes as well as 1/2" bottom board appear to be original. For any collector who likes true working decoys, a better example probably does not exist!
Unidentified,Ontario,Canada PRICE REDUCED! C8
Unidentified carver of this very old and unusual great folky Canada Goose attributed to the Ontario region. Over sized flat bottom solid floater with a partial second coat of old wash. Condition is original including the glass eyes. Very unusual form with the slot carving between the goiter neck and back. The wink carving technique is very similar to some of Ken Angers early work. All and all a good addition to any collection. Ca. 1920's to 1930's.
CLIFF AVANN,TORONTO,ONTARIO(1888-1965)PRICE REDUCED! C 32
Swimming black duck in original paint with a turned head. Toller has glass eyes and great form with some in use paint wear to the tips of the paint. Head is a little loose with a crack in the neck. Small crack to wing area due to wood shrinkage on right side. Nice old working decoy from Ontario.
Length:14"
Hermides Thiebert,Valleyfield,Quebec
15" solid old working bluebill hen decoy by Valleyfiels carver Hermides Thiebert in original paint. Repair to the bill which is old. Retains original tack eyes. A nice work of art by this well known Quebec carver circa 1940.
Nova Scotia,Unidentified Carver
12" Hen Golden Eye in original condition as well as paint by an unidentified Nova Scotia carver. Nice folk art form with relief carved wings, raised tail and interesting paint pattern. Probably one of the Smithfield carvers with all the best elements of the Nova Scotia style!
Gordon Tuck,Toronto Island,Canada C 51
Rare pair of working Bluebill decoys produced by the late Gordon Tuck of Toronto Island,Canada,1918-1992. Ca. 1950, both these decoys were produced to be hunted over in the makers personal rig as he made only a couple hundred decoys for his own personal use and for use by family members and a few close friends. These are all original as to paint as well as condition. Gordon was a very talented carver, but less attention was paid to the paint application as the lines look uneven. This is not over paint, but a consistent characteristic of Gordon Tuck. Both the Hen and the Drake have the initials G T branded on the bottom. Very nice form with raised wings carved in the swimming position.
Burlington Decoy Factory,Burlington,Ontario
Solid body Black Duck from Burlington, Ontario circa 1945 in original condition as well as paint. Long sleek body which is about 16" long. Tack eyes with a tight crack running the length of the body on both sides, head is a little loose. Very nice carving to the head. Some wear to the paint attributed to in-use gunning wear.
Unidentified Smith Falls,Ontario, C-55
Very nice and old working Drake Whistler decoy from the Smith Falls,Ontario region carved by an unidentified hand. Some old hunter touch-up as shown. Great paint detail as well as bill detailing. Great form!
Unidentified Nova Scotia,HW
Unidentified carver attributed to likely Nova Scotia or possibly New Brunswick early 1940's in original well worn paint as well as condition. Has an interesting hump in the nose carving small shallow crack on the right rear of the back, a couple of tight old age cracks and a small amount of wood loss to the tip of the tail. About 14" long and 8" at the widest point.
Alain MacDonald,Riguaud,Quebec,P.Q PRICE REDUCED! C9
Blue Bill Drake working decoy attributed to the work of Alain MacDonald with some small spots of hunter touch-up. Original condition two piece hollow design with great rasp work detail. Retains the original glass eyes and wonderful form of a talented Valley Field carver. This is a very nice old decoy!
Brant Fraser River Region,British Columbia C1A
This offering is a wonderful old working Brant decoy in original condition with a high neck and head done by a talented but unidentified maker. The neck and head are removable for transport to the hunting grounds and was designed this way. Ca. early 1900's in great form with a paddle tail and just great lines in this Brant decoy! Outstanding folk art from British Columbia,Canada.
Ontario Black Duck,Unidentified Carver
Hollow 16" very light and sleek Black Duck from Ontario in original condition. Slight age crack around the neck with original glass eyes and detailed carving to the tail feathers. Old flat bottom working decoy,circa 1930.
UNIDENTIFIED BLUEBILL, ATTRIBUTED TO QUEBEC PRICE REDUCED! C 30
Antique gunning Bluebill in O.P. as well as condition with painted eyes. Nice alert form with raised wings as well as carved wings and tail feathers in the typical detailed Quebec style. Round bottom working Toller could also have come from Ontario. Minimal wear to the tips of the paint related to in-use gunning as well as some loss to the tip of the bill paint. Age crack at the base of the neck. Nicely priced example!
Ontario, Attributed to Leo Lavery,MM C19
Very unusual form attributed to the work of Leo Lavery (1903-1955),C-1940 with a second old coat of gunning paint to the head and breast as well as the bill.
Benne Anderson,Toronto,Ontario
Benne Anderson Toronto Redhead solid block with nice paint possibly a second coat by the original carver and not used much after that.
Robert Gilles,Quebec,Canada C 24
Solid body Drake Mallard signed Gilles,Robert 1959 on the bottom of this working decoy from Quebec. In original condition as found. Original paint from the breast back to the tail. Older repaint to the breast,head and bill. Great Quebec form with feather chiseling to the back with a nice plastic tail insert to the tip as shown.The decoy appears to have had a weight connected at one time as well as possibly a keel which was probably removed for shelf display. A very nice addition to any Canadian collection.
Jesse Baker,Trenton, Ontario
13" tack eye Bluebill that was over painted as a Whistler and then taken down to the original Bluebill paint. Very unique form with some original comb painting on the back.
Warin/Ward,Toronto,Canada PRICE REDUCED! C3
Very important and old working Hen Redhead decoy in excellent form from the Warin/Ward Canadian school of carvers. This low body toller in well worn original paint as well as condition could have done by either Warin or Ward or by both as these carvers were friends and have been known to work on carving projects together. Retains the original glass eyes and 1/2" bottom board. This decoy is a bargain for collectors of Canadian decoys at this price!
William Clarke, ONTARIO, CANADA PRICE REDUCED! C 27
William Clarke Bluebill in an old second coat of repaint by the carver. Wonderful form with a typical folky alert carved head and bill typical of this Ontario carvers skill and talent.
Attributed Peterborough Boat Works Factory,Peterborough,Ontario
12.5" Whistler old working decoy attributed to the Peterborough Boat Works Factory. This decoy shows augured bottom holes which were used to keep the decoy suctioned to the water in rough conditions. Solid block with simple wing carving.
Carver:
Peterborough Canoe Company
Weight: 10
Price: $225
Unidentified British Columbia Pintail C6
Very nice hollow British Columbia Hen Pintail in original paint as well as condition. Nice sleek form with an original 1/2" bottom board as well as the original glass eyes. Circa 1930's with rubs to the paint especially the head which is well worn as shown attributed to in use gunning wear. Very nice feather paint with an old leather strap on the front bottom, a hook on the tail and a small ballast weight at or near the center point. The bottom also shows the original nails that connected the bottom board to the carving.
J.R. "Jack" Wells,Long Point/Toronto,Canada C 16
Very old working cork decoy from Wells with the signature brand on the bottom,J.R.W. Maker. One large crack running transverse across the decoy as shown which is typical for Wells cork examples along with a couple small missing pieces of the cork. This decoy has seen lot's of time in the marsh and is all honest and original as to condition as well as paint. Great detail to the carving of the head which is pine. Decoy also has a 1" bottom board for flotation purposes. Retains the original glass eyes. Nice, reasonably priced example of one of the five best Canadian carvers on record!
Jesse Baker, Trenton,Ontario,Canada
13" long solid body working decoy by Jesse Baker of Trenton,Ontario. Bluebill Drake over painted as a Whistler. Folky decoy with great form from Ontario!
Unidentified Carver,Valleyfield,Quebec
Typical of the style of Valleyfield Quebec decoy carvers featuring carved wings and feathers with a pronounced paddle tail, note the up sweep. The actual carver is unknown to me, but has some of the traits of Willie Leduc. Original paint as well as condition using a solid cedar block with an age split on the port side as shown.
Randy Grange,Fraser River,British Columbia
17" hollow Black Duck by Randy Fraser from the Fraser River Delta of B.C. Nice paint, thin head, but thick neck, no eyes, nicely painted and finely crafted!
Attributed To John Smith,Nova Scotia C 43
White Wing Scoter decoy attributed to John Smith of Nova Scotia, Ca.1930. Decoy is presented as found and could be cleaned up without damaging the old working decoy. Body appears to be all original paint with gunning over paint to the bill and the white patches as shown. Small crack around the base of the neck. Head is connected by means of a dowel. A small ballast weight has been put in place using two small nails. Still retains an old leather strap with a piece of decoy anchor line as shown.
Ray Andress,Granogue,Ontario
13.5" solid body Golden Eye Drake by one of the best of the Granogue carvers, Ray Andress. Paint and condition are all original but well worn as shown. Great form and attitude!
Unidentified Toronto School.
13" hollow small and very light old working Bluebill decoy with a removable head circa 1890 labeled "Orilla Lake Simco,Ontario. Carved in the Warin/Ward style with 1/2" bottom board, all original.
John Smith,Barrington,Nova Scotia C 42
Drake Whistler from the late John Smith in original condition with a small repair to the lower part of the back of the neck. Working decoy is presented exactly as found and probably needs to be cleaned up a bit. The body appears to be original paint with some hunter T-U to the white on the wings as well as the eyes which were not likely painted by Smith. Very small age crack on the left side of the body. Nice form, especially to the position of the head. Rigged for hunting and used as such, it still retains the original decoy line, leather strap as well as center ballast weight. This is an early example of Smith's working decoys and he is considered to be the most prolific carver from Nova Scotia who carved over a seventy year period. Smith carved Whistlers,Bluebill,Blackduck and Eider decoys. He also made some decorative carvings. Because of the vast numbers of decoys he carved,it left little time for much detail carving or elaborate styling. His birds always have painted eyes,little or no neck and very simple but adequate bodies. A very important carver from the history of Nova Scotia decoys.