Lane School,Lacon,Illinois,M 91
Hollow Redhead very old working decoy in the best form a decoy collector will ever see. Dry old paint in mellow patina that says Stephen Lane except for the head which is a great job, but not typical of Lane. Near original paint as well as condition. Decoy is two piece construction and is circa 1910. My favorite decoy on the website!
Fred Allen,Princeton,Illinois M29
Very rare Hen Mallard by old time carver Fred Allen of Princeton,Illinois in original condition. Solid body,very sound decoy that has sat on a collectors shelf for over 40 plus years. Retains the original short paddle tail and flat bottom Allen was noted for. Original paint except some old touch-up to the bill area. Very rare decoy for the maker in this condition, early first quarter 19th century and as such, highly collectible.
Christopher "Columbus" Smith,Algonac,MI.M7
Drake Redhead by Christopher Smith of Algonac Michigan, circa 1900.Chris Smith was the founder of the famous Chris Craft boat works. The body of this decoy has old working paint as well as more recent paint to the head and bill. Nice form and carving detail to the bill with original glass eyes.
Attributed to the Lane School,Lacon,Illinois,M 94
Lane School Blue bill working toller with the original glass eyes. Body is thicker through the middle than most Lane decoys, but very similar otherwise to Stephen Lanes work. Old second coat of paint to the black areas. Great form!
Richard Wilcoxen,Liverpool,Il. M48
Mr. Y, Richard Wilcoxen of Liverpool,Illinois as described by Joe French as "One of the three Jewels of the Illinois River from the 1890's." Richards works are harder to find than his younger and much more prolific brothers Perry Wilcoxen's carving are. Perry Wilcoxen, and his carvings have a unique refinement, especially in the head sculpture. Very old working decoy in good condition from 1880-1890.
Stephen Lane,Lacon,Illinois,M 90
Stephen Lane Blue Bill working decoy,circa 1920 in the great form that Lane is known for. Small repair to the underside of the bill, old second coat of hunter paint strengthening to some areas of the black paint. Retaining original glass eyes. One of the best 2-3 carvers from the Midwest region of the country.
PRICE REDUCED!! M43
Half Size Canada Goose decoy attributed to the Midwest in original paint as well as condition. Solid Body with a slightly turned head in very nice form and has retained the original glass eyes. Small crack all the way around the neck. Head is not loose. In addition, please note a very small crack running mid line along the right side of the body. Decoy has the initials E Allen under the tail.
Harold Haertel,Dundee,Illinois MW 15
Black duck by famed Mid West carver Harold Haertel of Dundee,Illinois,(1904-1995). Rare cork example of this carvers work in original condition. Decoy has a finely carved pine head and retains the original glass eyes.Body form is very well done in the carvers style with a 1/2" bottom board for flotation purposes as this was rigged for hunting and used as such. Great decoy for a very fair price!
Roy Kamm,Lacon,Illinois,Mw 27
Pintail Drake working decoy circa 1890 in the best Illinois River form by old time carver Roy Kamm. Repainted in 1950 by Cline McAlpine, a great Illinois river carver in his own right! The McAlpine feather paint as seen is very distinctive of McAlpine.
Burt Lang,Horicon,Wisconsin M74
Burt Lang Mallard Hen in his best folk art form from lower Wisconsin. Burton Lang, Horicon Marsh, recognized in the second edition of Ron Koch's Wisconsin book. A very early influential Midwest carver. Few examples of this style exist for sale.
Joseph Sieger,Tustin,WI.MW 3
Great hollow example from Mid West carver Joseph Sieger. Very nice form with great symmetry and balance. Hollow example in original condition. Attribution to Sieger is based in bottom board as well as shape and form to similar decoys that have recently surfaced.
Frank Strey,Oshkosh,Wisconsin MW 42
Frank Strey Canvasback Hen in what is certainly Strey's best style. This decoy is most likely a take down of what was once a Drake with some paint added to the bill area. The hole in the bill is sealed with varnish. The decoy also appears to have an old coat of varnish for waterproofing. To my knowledge Frank Strey never made a Hen Canvasback, so this may be very unique or a take down as I mentioned? Great form and structurally just a great old working decoy in any event!
George Warin,Toronto,Canada M87
Wonderful full size Oil on Canvas by artist Bart Woloson of Illinois. Approx. 70" Long by 39" in width depicting George Warin as shown. Canvas can be stretched and rolled for easy shipping. Very nice work and just makes a wonderful addition to any Canadian decoy collection.
DeWitt Wakefield,Freemont,WI.,MW 7
Early example of a Bluebill Hen by the earliest of all recognized Wisconsin decoy carvers, DeWitt Wakefield of Freemont Wisconsin. Very old working decoy,Ca. 1880 with fluted tail and hump back style. Great lines in this BB example.
Robert Elliston,Bureau,Illinois,MW 8
A rare Pintail by famed Midwest carver Robert A. Elliston of Bureau,Illinois,(1849-1915). Nice form with great lines and symmetry. Balanced in the water, which made Ellistons gunning decoys sought after by hunters and today, these are sought after by collectors, especially this particular species, which he did only a few known examples of. Displays a very distinctive form as well as the carvers signature paint pattern.
Chris Craft,Christopher "Columbus" Smith M80
Alert Swimming Black Duck working decoy that was originally identified by Guyette and Schmidt as a Toby Meldrum. I think this is incorrect as the Saginaw Bay book shows this decoy as a Chris Craft(Christopher "Columbus" Smith) decoy. Very old worn paint as shown on a very thin shell, thin bottom board with a nice neck, pinched breast, tack eyes and a carved egg tooth. Great form and just a wonderful collectible decoy showing even wear and great patina! 17.5" Long and only 5.5" wide.
Attributed to Ferdinand Bach,(1888-1967) M81
Redhead attributed to Ferdinand Bach (1888-1967). Old working decoy which has been repainted and so not as refined as most Bach's shown in the literature. 14" long, solid body and a fat 7" wide. Old working paint in very good structural condition.
Wendell Smith,Chicago,Illinois PRICE REDUCED! MW 40
Old working decoy example from Wendell Smith of Chicago,Illinois. In original paint as well as condition, this Hen Bluebill shows sleek form and a fine example of the carver's comb painting technique. Bill carving detail as well as retention of the original glass eyes.Some rubs to the paint as shown, especially to the end of the bill and chest areas attributed to in-use gunning wear. This hollow example shows an age crack starting to show along the line of where the two halves of the decoy were placed together. Nice honest decoy for a fair price.
Unidentified Carver,Illinois,S 13
Very old and well crafted Canada Goose decoy that has the stamp "Mud Lake Club" on the bottom which was also known as the West End Club in Illinois. Interestingly, this carving has some similarities to the work of Charles Birch of Virginia. This decoy has an old light coat of olive wash. Great head and neck position and was rigged for hunting and used as such. Most likely a Midwest carver.
Richard Wilcoxen,Liverpool,Illinois MW 2
Decoy is a Richard Wilcoxin who was the older brother of the much more prolific carver, Perry Wilcoxen. This is a wonderful hollow Redhead Drake in original condition. The form, especially the "snakey" neck and head represents one of the best profiles anyone will probably ever see. Great balance as well as symmetry with very smooth lines making this decoy highly collectible.
August Moak,Tustin,WI. MW 38
Special order Hen Canvasback used on the Illinois River. Decoy is in comb paint under a light brown wash. From the rig of Walter Peacock Chicago sportsman and heir to the Chicago jeweler business, Peacock Jewelry started in 1837. Note the inscription on the bottom that says "this decoy was a gift from Jimmy Robinson (Sports Afield)Minneapolis to Jack Mitchell". This decoy had come from the Peacock rig used originally in Manitoba. Guyette and Schmidt sold this decoy for Mr. Mitchell in 1986 when it was advertised as made by G. Bert Graves (Peoria,IL). The decoy has an original Graves strip lead weight on the bottom which caused the confusion. The Peacock rig had decoys by many of the great Illinois carvers including Graves, and the game keeper likely added the weight during regular rig maintenance operations. Simple but regal decoy in untouched condition! Decoy is Circa early 1900's!
One Armed Kelley,Monroe,MI.PRICE REDUCED! MW 30
Large over sized Hen Canvasback for use in big water hunting with intact keel. Bill carving with original glass eyes in O.P. as well as condition. Condition of this Kelley is outstanding!
August Moak,Tustin,WI. MW 37
Special order Drake Canvasback used on the Illinois River. Old working decoy is in original paint as well as condition. Comb paint in the style of the great Illinois River carvers. The white on the bottom is old hunter repaint and could be removed. Two sets of rig brands on the bottom say ov5 over WJH. Outstanding untouched Canvasback in Moak's best style!
One Arm Kelly,Monroe,MI. M14
Hen Canvasback by One Arm Kelly of Monroe Michigan,Circa 1920,original paint as well as condition. Working decoy retains the original glass eyes, excellent condition with a small crack at the base of the neck. Just an honest great decoy!
Attributed to Ben Schmidt,Detroit,MI. MW 40
Hollow Canada Goose attributed to Ben Schmidt,circa 1945. Schmidt made several styles of Geese and this has the elements of his various styles, but an exact match could not be found in the literature. It has style,balance and is very light and hollow with a great head. The bottom board may have been replaced at one time or covered with a layer of fiberglass for waterproofing. An outstanding Canada Goose.
Walter Snow,Detroit,MI. M6
Hen Bluebill by Walter Snow of Detroit,Michigan,Circa 1940, original paint as well as condition,retains the original glass eyes. Great paint blending and detail, mellow patina similar to the work of Ben Schmidt. Near mint condition. This is a really great decoy!
Walter Struebling,Marine City,Michigan. M8
Hen Canvasback by Walter Struebling of Marine City, Michigan circa 1930. Old working paint probably done by the carver, original glass eyes, no swing keel. Condition is excellent with detailed bill carving. Investment Grade decoy!
Robert Barker,Saginaw Bay,MI. M10
Bluebill Drake carved by Saginaw Bay carver Robert Barker circa 1940. Original paint as well as condition with the original glass eyes. A decoy in nice form in excellent condition.
Frank Cummings,Harsen's Island,MI. M9
Drake Bluebill by Frank Cummings of Harsen's Island,Michigan,Circa 1940 in original paint as well as condition. Retains the original glass eyes, very good to excellent condition in all respects.
Frank Schmidt,Centerline,MI. M17
Hen Bluebill by Frank Schmidt of Centerline, Michigan, Circa 1930. Original paint as well as condition, retains the original glass eyes as well as keel. Near mint working condition with evenly worn paint consistent with in-use gunning wear. Just a great example of this carvers work!
Frank Schmidt,Centerline MI., M5
Bluebill Drake by Frank Schmidt of Centerline,Michigan in original paint as well as condition. Circa 1930 with the original glass eyes, excellent condition.
Attributed to Ralph Rengi,Michigan, M-88
Heavy body solid big water decoy in original paint as well as condition.
Hen Redhead attributed to Ralph Rengi of Michigan retaining the bottom keel in old dry paint. Very good form and some feel this decoy could also have been done by Ben Schmidt as an early example of his work?
Hayes Finkle,Port Huron,MI. M16
Hen Bluebill carved by Hayes Finkle of Port Huron,Michigan, circa 1920. Original condition as well as paint, retaining the original glass eyes, no bill carving. Hayes and his brother Bill hunted Saginaw Bay and the St. Clair Flats with these decoys or decoys just like them.Investment grade!
Hayes Finkle, Port Huron,MI. M18
Redhead Drake carved by Hayes Finkle of Port Huron,Michigan, circa 1920. 90% original paint and all original condition. Over paint to breast area of decoy. Retains the original glass eyes, nice detail to the bill carving, very good condition in this working decoy example of this carvers skill.
Unidentified Carver,Midwest Region M3
Canvasback by an unidentified Midwest carver in the style of Frank Cummings of the St. Clair Flats School, circa 1930's with the original glass eyes. Original paint as well as condition including the keel.
BEN SCHMIDT,CENTERLINE,MI.PRICE REDUCED! MW 35
Redhead Hen in O.P. as well as overall condition. Rubs to the paint and several small age cracks in the wood. This is Schmidt's early period work without chisel stamping. Nice form which retains the original glass eyes.
Unidentified Carver,MN., M 96
Very rare confidence Loon decoy found in Minnesota,circa 1935 with large taxidermy red eyes. These were used on the ocean sea duck hunting as well as large fresh bodies of water as part of a decoy spread to make it appear more natural. Paint is crackled and shows rubs to the paint as shown attributed to in-use gunning wear.
One Armed Kelley,Monroe,MI.PRICE REDUCED! MW 31
Very early One Armed Kelley Drake Canvasback with a separation at the base of the neck. Second coat of old hunter paint evident with wear to the primer in some places as shown. Retains the original eyes and is a very good example in great posture. Wonderful detail in the carving and positioning of his heads. Retains original keel and is rigged for hunting with the forward line swivel intact.
Bruce Chidester,Burlington,IowaPRICE REDUCED!! M83
Drake Mallard sleeper in outstanding form and bold wet over wet paint blending technique. Extreme detail to individual feather carving on both the primary as well as secondary feathers.
Glass eyes,bill carving and great rasp work to the head. Inscribed on the bottom "First Place Decoy Iowa State Carving Show 1983". Several small chips to the tips of the tail feathers. A great decoy for those who appreciate decoy carving as an art form as this Mallard is fantastic!
Charles Schoenheider,Sr.,Peoria,Il. MW 26
Charles Schoenheider Sr., Mallard Drake in an old second coat of gunning paint. The eyes have been replaced and a professional repair was done to a chip on one side of the bill. Still, all in all a very good decoy that represents a work by the master of Illinois river carvers and a way to own a treasure at a price that makes that possible!
Herter's Decoy Factory,Waseca,MN. M15
Canada Goose by the Herter's Decoy factory of Waseca,Minnesota, circa 1930's making this an early example. Original paint as well as condition. Balsa body, great condition!
Cliff Reinsager,Muscatine,Iowa. M84
Very nice pair of Mallards by a Midwest carver Cliff Reinsager of Muscatine, Iowa. Both the Drake and the Hen are in original paint as well as condition, retain the original glass eyes and are signed in the makers hand. Drake has a nail bill and is in very nice form as well as bold paint. Mint other than a very small seam crack which is hard to see starting to develop on one side. The Hen is just wonderful with great wet over wet paint blending. Near mint as well with one very small rub to the paint on the right side tip of the bill. The Hen is unusual in that the bottom is in very nice comb paint, although no other evidence of comb painting exists on the body of either decoy which is something I have never seen before.
Ben Schmidt,Centerline,Michigan M19
Drake Redhead by Ben Schmidt of Centerline,Michigan, circa 1920. Early example with recent paint, original glass eyes,and a 1/2" bottom board.A nice Ben Schmidt, priced to sell!
Henry Meldrum,St. Clair Flats,MI. M12
Black Duck by Henry Meldrum, Saint Clair Flats,Michigan,circa 1880. 75% original paint as well as all original condition with fine bill carving and glass eyes.Good condition for a very early decoy that spent a lot of time being hunted over. Small cracks to head and neck area, stamped H.M. on the bottom. Highly collectible decoy!
Unidentified, Attributed To Mike Valley M85
Pair of solid body Mallards in original paint as well as condition with keels and anchor lines still attached. Drake is near mint with just a couple small rubs to the paint. Hen has more in-use wear, especially to the underside of the tail and along the right side and breast area. However, this is minor overall. Both decoys retain the original glass eyes and are in bold paint as well as very nice form.
Joe Gigl,Freemont,WI.PRICE REDUCED!MW 28
Very nice and very hard to find in this condition. Joe Gigl over sized cork Drake Mallard with a slightly turned head. Mint condition as well as O.P. Form is great, especially the head. The paint, especially on the head is great as well. Retains the original glass eyes as well as 1/2" bottom board.
Bill Enright,Toledo,Ohio,M 89
Drake Mallard in great solid form in original paint as well as condition. This very nice gunning decoy,Circa 1940 is by Ohio carver Bill Enright of Toledo. Retains the original glass eyes as well as bottom keel. Very nice skill work with the feather detailing!
William and Esther Sekkema,MI. M4
Drake Canvasback by William & Esther Sekkema, circa 1990 in original paint as well as condition, retaining original glass eyes. Wonderful decorative decoy with fine bill detailing as well as the same for the tail.
Earl Tomlinson,Detroit,MI MW 39
Hollow Canada Goose in original condition as well as paint. Regal shape with original bottom board as well as glass eyes. Great "snakey" neck and head carving. Decoy is circa 1930's. For a reference see Bernie Crandell on page 61.
Perry Wilcoxin, Liverpool,Illinois,MM
Perry Wilcoxin Drake Canvasback(1862-1954). Flat hollow two piece construction, pine body, paddle tail, dimple eyes, snakey neck in the best of the best in terms of form. Three piece head neck construction with a couple small nails under the bill. Decoy was given a careful coat of wash due to several coats of badly done over paint and shows faint remains of the original paint indicating the decoy was a Drake Canvasback. Other than that, the decoy is as found as I simply hate to put any paint at all on ancient great decoys. I recently floated this decoy at a Ducks Unlimited event and was glad I did. As good as it will be on any collectors shelf, I realize it's real home is in the water!
Attributed to Richard Wilcoxin,Liverpool,IL. ,
Hollow Drake Mallard used for a lot of hunting trips with worn original paint as shown. Working decoy by Illinois famed carver Richard Wilcoxin which I believe is the correct Wilcoxin? Collectors input is always welcome. Bottom shows outline of the former weight which is not present. Appears to have retained the original eyes, slight separation around the neck filler. Will consider any reasonable offer.
Joe Gigl,Fremont,WI.PRICE REDUCED! MW 41
Solid heavy over sized Drake Mallard by Wisconsin carver Joe Gigl. Original condition as well as paint with the exception of a recent touch-up to the cheeks where the paint is worn, as shown. Very slight crack around the base of the neck with various minor rubs to the paint attributed to in-use gunning wear as shown. Retains the original glass eyes with very detailed carving to the bill, similar to a Mason premiere grade decoy. Very minor wear to the tip of the bill. Decoy has a hole drilled into the bottom where the dowel is attached to the head. The bottom also has the initials R L burned into the bottom.
Length: 18" Investment quality grade decoy.
Illinois River Gadwell, Unidentified Maker,MW 36
Illinois River solid decoy in old paint as well as original condition that seems to fit Gadwell markings. The bottom has been planed off to allow balance on a shelf. The back is branded A.H.L. plus a large P.The form looks very similar to Vern Cheesman from Macomb Illinois., but this example might actually be older.
Frank Schmidt,Centerline,MI.PRICE REDUCED!MW 29
Outstanding example of the work of decoy carver Frank Schmidt of Centerline Michigan. Drake Mallard is in outstanding posture and is all O.P. as well as structurally mint as to condition. Flat bottom working decoy with incised feather and wing carving.
Budgeon Sampier,Algonac,MI. M2
Bluebill by Budgeon Sampier,Algonac,Michigan school of carvers. St. Clair flats, circa 1900 with painted eyes, old working paint and 3/8th's bottom board. Nice Folk art decoy!
Unidentified Whistler,St. Clair Flats,MI. M13
Whistler decoy from the Algonac School, St. Clair Flats done by an unidentified hand , circa 1900. Old working paint with glass eyes, 1/2" bottom board.The carver could have possibly been C.C. Smith? Nice folk art decoy which would make a great addition to any collection!
Unidentified Maker,Illinois River Pintail,PRICE REDUCED! MW24
Very nice and important antique working decoy from the Illinois River region and done by an unidentified hand. Original paint as well as condition and appears to retain the original glass eyes. Solid body working decoys with rubs to the paint as shown and a couple of tiny cracks around the neck age attributed to age as well as in-use gunning wear. Just a nice honest decoy as a reasonable price for a true working antique in decent condition.
Illinois River Mallard,Unidentified Hand,MW 35
Very old working decoy from the Illinois river in original paint as well as condition. This is a solid decoy with wear to the paint as well as a few shot marks as shown as attributed to in-use gunning. Decoy also shows a small separation around the neck. Retains the original glass eyes with the great form Illinois River decoys are known for!
Oliver "Ollie" Drahn(1908-1990's),Oshkosh,WI.,MW 21
Huge Canvasback Drake used as a "lead" decoy over big water. Possibly the only one in existence. Drahn was known for his head carvings- best in Wisconsin for his time,Ca. 1940's.
Dove Whistle,Unidentified Hand MW 44
Hand carved and turned Dove Whistle mid 19th century in original paint as well as condition. Probably made in France and used to hunt Dove which has long been popular in Europe. Very interesting piece and addition to any collection.
Milwaukee School,WPA Decoy MW 45
Milwaukee School working Black Duck decoy in original paint as well as condition. Hollow carved 5 piece laminated construction with a pegged bottom. Detail to the head carving with nicely crafted wing carving. 14" Long.
Illinois River,Unidentified,M 95,
A "swimming" Illinois river Drake Pintail decoy which is very appealing to the eye. Hall is written on the bottom. This appears to be an old second coat of gunning paint by a capable artist. Decoy that was rigged for hunting and used as such.
CHUCK KLUCKA,MT.CLEMENS,MI. JY M44
Pair of working Goldeneyes by Chuck Klucka of Michigan. Mint O.P. as well as condition. Nicely carved and painted decoys with glass eyes and detailed bill carving. Decoys are hollow with super heads!
UNIDENTIFIED, BURLINGTON,IOWA PRICE REDUCED! MW 33
Nice pair of turned head Mallards as pictured. Heads are not loose, but were designed to rotate 360 degrees. Ca. 1930's with great form and bold paint pattern. Nice patina with some in-use wear to the original paint in various areas as shown. I do not know the carver, but am able to determine they came from the Mississippi River near Burlington Iowa.
Paw Paw Decoy Factory,Paw Paw MI.,F 86
Turned head Drake Mallard by the Paw Paw decoy factory of Paw Paw Michigan in original paint as well as condition. Head will come off as it is held in place by a brass pin. Some wear to the paint as shown attributed to in-use gunning wear.Nice example with raised tail. Paw Paw is better known for the production of fish decoys and lures and the decoys are a rare addition to any Factory Decoy collection.
Perry Wilcoxen,Liverpool,IL. M51
Drake Mallard by Perry Wilcoxen who was the more prolific of the Wilcoxen brothers in regards to decoy carving. Believed to be a Mallard on a Mason style body in the alert position with the head up, Ca. 1915. Great folk art with easily recognized Wilcoxen paint pattern.
Gus Nelow,Omro,WI,PRICE REDUCED! MW 25
Old Gus Nelow Coot in original condition with a hairline crack to the neck and some hunter touch-up to the bill as well as the white areas on the wings. Classic Nelow head with the weight on the bottom being a half oxen shoe. Oxen went out of use in Wisconsin well before WW II.
Ralph True,Hopkins,MN. M23 JY
Simple yet finely crafted single groove lanyard duck call in original as well as mint condition. Old call with great patina as well as form. retains original reed.
Walter Rupple,Sheboygan,WI., M31
Drake Canvasback by Walter Rupple. Cork body with pine head and 1/2" bottom board, original glass eyes, bill carving in excellent original paint as well as condition with some in-use wear as noted.Circa 1930's.
Steven H. Tyler,Dallas City,IL. MW 19
Canvasback Drake by early Illinois River carver Steven Tyler of Dallas City,Illinois. This decoy is in original condition and was made on a replicating lathe circa 1910-1920 and therefore could by definition be considered an Illinois "Factory Decoy." Crack around the neck as shown with an old second coat of paint with in-use gunning wear as seen. Nice form in this Tyler example of an early gunning decoy!
Paw Paw Manufacturing Company,Paw Paw,MI., M 93
Paw Paw middle period Black Duck in original paint as well as condition. Excellent condition in all respects with the nicely carved head and split back. Paw Paw produced mostly fish decoys and lures and it is very difficult to find a Paw Paw duck decoy in this kind of condition!
Paw Paw Decoy Factory,Paw Paw,MI.,F 85
Balsa feeding Drake Mallard in original paint as well as condition. In good to excellent condition with some degree of paint wear attributed to in-use gunning activity. A couple of shot marks that demonstrate this decoy having been hunted over.
Paw Paw Factory,Paw Paw, MI.,F 84
Early Black Duck by Paw Paw Manufacturing better know as a producer of fish decoys and lures. This Black Duck is in near mint condition with original paint. Great form, V slant back and tack eyes. A very good example for this maker as many times it is very difficult to find Paw Paw decoys in this kind of condition.
Charlie Moore Drake Mallard M32
Nice Drake Mallard in precise form and outstanding bold paint. Comb painting on the body and Mason type swirl technique on the breast. Bill detailing with original glass eyes. Original paint as well as Mint condition. A very nice addition to any collection. Signed on the bottom in the makers hand.
OTTO JURGENSON,BOOM BAY,WISCONSIN JY M47
Magnum drake Canvasback which is cork with a wooden head, probably basswood with very nice form and detail. Very good O.P. as well as condition. Wooden bottom board with tight crack in bill,original glass eyes. Some chipping of the cork around the neck as shown in photo.
Super decoy! Length:20"
Don Faigley,Lancaster,Ohio JY M24
Very nice duck call from Don Faigley which is all original and in mint condition. Carved duck head with silver band and shotgun shell as shown. Call is signed in the makers hand and retains the original reed.
Michigan Drake Redhead,Unidentified Carver,MW 33
12" long Drake Redhead from Michigan. Retains the original glass eyes as well as bottom keel as shown. Hollow and very light with thin bottom board in old restored paint. Very nice form!
Walter Ruppel Attributed,Sheboygon,Wisconsin M26
Half size cork black duck decoy attributed to Walter Ruppel of Sheboygon, Wisconsin.Working decoy is original condition as well as paint. Retains the original glass eyes as well as the bottom board. Head is connected with a dowel and swivels slightly, but is not loose! The head carving is very well done in fine detail and the cork has been shaved on both sides of the back to depict feathers as well as a line that runs from the back of the neck to the tail. Also, the same technique has been applied just forward of both shoulders to clearly outline the breast area. This is believed to be a trait that Ruppel used in his early work on a limited basis that he went away from in his later works due to time constraints. Limited examples of this early technique exist!
Illinois River,Unidentified,M-100,MM
Old solid body Drake Pintail from the Illinois river with a high head look. Slight separation at the base of the neck as shown. Very nice paint detail with painted eyes. Original paint as well as condition with some rubs to the paint attributed to in-use gunning wear. Decoy was hunted over and then spent some time as a lamp until finding it's way into my collection!
Don Faigley,Lancaster,Ohio M27 JY
Very nice textured Crow Call from talented artist Don Faigley. Owl carving in original paint as well as condition. Signed with original reed. Carving is two panel pebbled background and is a great example of a relief carving in cherry wood. Mint and very unique!
Unidentified Carver,Wisconsin Attributed,MM
Coot working decoy is original paint as well as condition with original swivel on the front bottom as well as a full length ballast weight. Nice form with head looking upward. Length is about 9" and width is 3" at the widest point.
Unidentified Wisconsin Cork Mallard,MW 18
Wisconsin hump backed cork bodied Drake Mallard with a finely carved pine head with detailing. Some loss to the cork as shown attributed to in-use gunning wear. Retains the original glass eyes and thick bottom board which is original, Ca. 1930's.
E.E. Montgomery, Oklahoma M23 JY
Hand caved duck call by E.E. Montgomery. Very well done skip checked call with single lanyard groove. Original condition, mint in all respects and retains original reed.
F.A. Allen,Monmouth,Illinois JY M29
Crow Call from F.A. Allen in original paint as well as condition. Minimal wear in near mint shape. Retains original reed,Ca. 1920's. Very much a quality investment grade call.
Unidentified,MN., MM M-99
Very old Minnesota fish spearing decoy in original paint as well as condition which I believe to be a brook trout with four original bottom fins. Some old line is still attached and little to no rust has accumulated over time,circa 1920-1930. Notice the hollowed out eye sockets. Nice piece of decoy history.
Drake Canvasback,Unidentified Carver,MW 34
Beautiful hollow carved Drake Canvasback in original paint as well as condition. Very nice form with raised tail feathers done by an unidentified carver.
CARRY-LITE DECOY FACTORY,MILWAUKEE,WI. F47
Rare vintage period standing waxed Canada Geese from Carry-Lite of Milwaukee Wisconsin. Set of six in O.P. as well as mint condition in all respects. An outstanding example for this factory. Set of six with original stakes and all are marked with the makers stamp on the inside. Approx. size: 20" high. Heads were made to be placed in several positions when placed in the field including sentry,upright,feeding,etc. Sold as a set.