Doug Jester, Black Duck, ca. 1932-1935
Doug Jester (1876-1961), Chincoteague, VA. Jester used the same style on most of his decoys. All of his decoys are solid carved and unsanded.
Elkanah Cobb, Redhead
Elkanah Cobb (1757–1837), Cobb Island, VA.
Hollow carved redhead with inlet neck seat, glass eyes, and relief wing tip carving. 'E.B. Cobb' branded on the underside. Original paint with minor flaking and wear.
The story of Cobb Island and its decoys is legendary. Their work has been included in every important decoy reference dating back to the groundbreaking writings of Joel Barber in 1934 and Eugene Connect in 1947.
Jesse Heisler, Pintail Drake, ca. 1915
Jesse Heisler (1891-1943), Burlington, NJ.
An all original Delaware River decoy with a hollow three-piece rounded body, tack eyes and a high head. The form closely follows the lead of pioneer John English of Florence, NJ, but has an upward curve to the carved primaries. Heisler was a top commercial maker of Delaware decoys and hunting boats, primarily marsh species but also bluebills, canvasbacks and a few geese. Pintails declined from the 1920s as the marches were dredged to facilitate navigation.
Ward Bros., “Shooting Stool” Canvasback Pair, 1966
Finest known “shooting stool” canvasback decoy pair by the Ward Brothers, Crisfield, MD. Dated 1966, signed and marked “shooting stool” on bottom of each. Made for and ex-collection of Dr. Kramer. Hot branded MK on bottom. Signed on bottom “Made by Steve, Painted by Lem.” All original paint and condition.
A. Elmer Crowell, Redhead Pair
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952), East Harwich, MA.
Right: Early redhead hen. Pre brand model with slightly turned head and relief tail feather carving. “Q” branded on the underside for the Quandy collection. Original paint with minor to moderate wear.
Left: Redhead drake. Excellent redhead with slightly upturned head. Oval brand. Never rigged or weighted. Original paint with almost no wear.
Arthur Cobb, Bluebill, 1885-1895
Arthur Cobb (1836-1890), Cobb Island, VA.
Hollow carved bluebill with raised, down sloping neck seat and carved eyes. Early in use repaint with moderate wear.
James T. Holly, Black Duck, Early 1900s (Copy)
James T. Holly (1855-1935), Havre de Grace, MD.
Branded “wigeon”. Slight slope forward where head is attached to the body. Upswept tail.
Ira Hudson, Red Breasted Merganser Hen, ca. 1920
Ira Hudson (1873 - 1949), Chincoteague, VA.
A very rare early special order by Hudson, used by some hunters for spring sport shooting since red breasted mergansers were hard to hit and hard to cook. The decoy is in all original paint, including the vivid red bill and tack eyes, a scarce color on Chincoteague which Ira obtained from the local fire department. The thin body, long paddle tail and carved teeth are a tour-de-force even for Hudson.
The beak was restored, leaving the line where the beak meets the head straighter than other Hudson decoys.
John “Daddy” Holly, Bluebill, Early 1800s
John “Daddy” Holly (1818-1892), Havre de Grace, MD. He was considered the Father of the Havre de Grace Carving school.
James T. Holly, Black Duck, Late 1800s
James T. Holly (1855-1935), Havre de Grace, MD.
Moderate gunning wear. Slight slope forward Where head is attached to body. Upswept tail.