Joseph Lincoln, Canada Goose
Joseph Lincoln (1859-1938), Accord, Massachusetts. Outstanding Canada goose. Branded “Chouteau” for the rig of Pierre Chouteau. George Thompson collection ink stamp on underside. Measures 26” long. Near mint original paint with a few very minor rubs; typical drying split along the underside that extends onto breast and under tail area.
Charles Birdsall, Swan, 1961-1984
Wildfowler Decoys Inc. (1961-1984), Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Hollow swan with arched neck. Signed and dated by its maker, Charles Birdsall, on the underside. Original paint with light wear.
Keyes Chadwick, Brant
Keyes Chadwick (1865-1958), Oaks Bluff, Massachusetts. Rare working brant with round inlayed lead weight. “TSH” stamped on underside for Theodore Steven Harmon. Measures 18.5 inches long.
Joe King, Canada Goose, ca. 1880
Carved by Joe King (1835-1913), Manahakin, NJ, circa 1880. Rare and historic brand from the rig of Elkanah Cobb (1852-1936).
Dave “Umbrella” Watson, Canada Goose, 1900-1920
Dave “Umbrella” Watson (1851-1938), Chincoteague Island, VA.
Very strong paint which is mostly original with possible “gunning touch up” in areas, unable to fully tell as not obvious and too old to show with the black light. Surface is very clean, strong and dry finish, the paint work is classic Watson. Full size with glass eyes.
Rich Smoker, Rosy-billed Pochard, 2021
Rich Smoker (1952- ), Marion, MD. Rosy-billed pochard.
Born into a family of outdoorsmen in 1952, Smoker carved his first decoys with his father on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, his hometown. As Smoker’s love of carving grew, he began taking trips to Maryland, where he learned from many masters, including Lem and Steve Ward. Smoker is the recipient of more than 500 ribbons and 100 best-in-show recognitions. He is a two-time winner of the Ward World Championship as well as a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow.
Charles Clark, Yellowlegs, 1890s-1920s
Early and scarce Yellowlegs decoy by Charles Clark, Chincoteague Island, VA circa 1890-1920. Ex-George Ross Starr collection. Excellent all original paint. Splined bill is original which is rare on a Clark shorebird, especially in original paint. Solid carved balsa body. Has a few shot scars and old blood stain on the belly area.
Ira Hudson, Yellowlegs, Early 1900s
Ira Hudson (1873 - 1949), Chincoteague, VA.
Yellowlegs. Scratch feather paint detail. Original paint with moderate wear. Bill is a later replacement.
Harry V. Shourds, Yellowlegs, 1861-1920
Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) Tuckerton, NJ.
Early yellowlegs. Fat body style. “JF” stamped in the underside. Original paint with very minor wear. Bill is a professional replacement.
Rich Smoker, Red Breasted Merganser, 2008
Rich Smoker (1952- ), Marion, MD. Rosy-billed pochard.
Born into a family of outdoorsmen in 1952, Smoker carved his first decoys with his father on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, his hometown. As Smoker’s love of carving grew, he began taking trips to Maryland, where he learned from many masters, including Lem and Steve Ward. Smoker is the recipient of more than 500 ribbons and 100 best-in-show recognitions. He is a two-time winner of the Ward World Championship as well as a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow.
Rich Smoker, Hooded Merganser, 2020
Rich Smoker (1952- ), Marion, MD. Rosy-billed pochard.
Born into a family of outdoorsmen in 1952, Smoker carved his first decoys with his father on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, his hometown. As Smoker’s love of carving grew, he began taking trips to Maryland, where he learned from many masters, including Lem and Steve Ward. Smoker is the recipient of more than 500 ribbons and 100 best-in-show recognitions. He is a two-time winner of the Ward World Championship as well as a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow.
Harry V. Shourds, Black Duck, 1881-1920
Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) Tuckerton, NJ.
Hollow carved black duck with scratch feather paint detail and tack eyes. Original paint with minor to moderate wear. Early repair to crack in neck.
Ira Hudson, Black Duck, ca. 1900-1935
Rare “JC Kruger rig” black duck by Ira Hudson (1876-1949), Chincoteague Island, VA. Has “JCK” scribed in pad weight. Has all original paint with very little wear for the age and useage. No repairs or touch ups of any kind.
Ward Brothers, Canvasback, 1948
Ward Brothers, Crisfield, MD. Paint surface restored by Lem Ward. Bill reworked and tail chip reattached at the same time.
Harry V. Shourds, Goldeneye Drake, Late 1800s
Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) Tuckerton, NJ.
Goldeye drake. Hollow carved with raised neck seat and inlayed lead weight. Original paint iwth moderate flaking and wear.