Lem Ward, Black Duck, 1939
Lem T. Ward (1896-1984), Crisfield, MD. Black duck decoy, branded “Dr. Blackwell”.
Lem and his brother, Steve, learned to carve working duck decoys from their father, who also trained them as barbers. All Ward decoys have flat bottoms and the bodies range from heart shaped to oval. The Wards were known for their outstanding artistic ability and used unique painting techniques, including stippling. Their painting has been called “impressionistic”, as each decoy was unique with its own feathering scheme.
Walter Brady/Eli Doughty, Brant, 1860-1900
Very early and rare classic Brant by Walter Brady (1860-1945), Oyster, VA. Old repaint with no repairs. Probably less than six known.
There is an open debate about whether these birds are made from Walter Brady or Eli Doughty (1844-1923) of Hogg Island, VA. The Brady rig Brant were thought to be hunted over by President Grover Cleveland who was a frequent hunter on the Shore for several years.
Eli Doughty, Brant
Eli Doughty (1844-1923), Hog Island, VA.
Sculptural solid body brant with relief wingtip carving and slightly turned head. Very early in use repaint with moderate gunning wear.
Ward Brothers, Bluebill
Ward Brothers, Crisfield, MD. Paint surface restored by Lem Ward (1897–1984).
Ira Hudson, Bufflehead Drake, 1900-1920
Ira Hudson (1873-1949), Chincoteague, VA.
Rare. Found fastened to the wall in a local restaurant. Repaint on white.
James T. Holly, Bluebill, ca. 1890
James T. Holly (1855-1935), Havre de Grace, MD.
Near-mint original paint. Weight removed but otherwise in excellent structural conditions with no repairs.
Harry M. Shourds, Hooded Merganser, 1890-1943
Harry M. Shourds (1890-1943), Ocean City, NJ.
Extremely rare hooded merganser with extended crest. Hollow carved with inlet lead weight on underside. Mix of original paint and early in use repaint. Most of the bill is a professional replacement.v
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.
Nathan Cobb, Jr., Redhead
Nathan Cobb, Jr. (1825-1905), Cobb Island, Virginia. Rare hollow carved redhead. Inlet neck seat, carved eyes, and raised wingtips. Serif “N” carved in underside. Slight eye groove carving. Measures 14” long. Original paint with moderate wear; very early and thin wash to black areas; an old chip in bill was reset with tightly wrapped twine; tight drying cracks near tail and breast; very lightly hit by shot.
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.
Keyes Chadwick, Mergansers
Keyes Chadwick (1865-1958), Oaks Bluff, Massachusetts. Excellent sigmate pair of mergansers with slightly turned heads. Measure 17.5” and 18.5” long. Original paint with fine crazing and minor wear; some scattered paint rubs and dents; slight separation at hen’s neck seat. Provenance: Ted and Judy Harmon collection.
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.