205 BROADBILL DRAKE by Bob McGaw, Havre de Grace, Md. Very old working paint worn to the wood in areas. Very early decoy, retaining "dog bone" weight, ring and staple. Structurally very good with a hairline crack in neck and minor shot scarring.    200-300

206 CANVASBACK DRAKE by Jim Currier, Havre de Grace, Md. Weathered original paint worn to the wood in areas. Structurally good with tight checks in breast and right side. Retains ring and staple. Weight removed. 200-300

207 PAIR OF HIGH-HEAD CANVASBACKS by "Hurricane" Pete Peterson, Chincoteague, Va. Excellent original paint and unused condition. Charles Nelson Barnard models retaining bottom weights and rigging thongs. Both signed. Branded "PETE" and signed. Dated 1979.    400-600

208 TWO UPPER BAY CANVASBACKS. One is a high-head model in very good original paint showing minor wear from use. Good structural condition with minor neck separation at base. Retains ring, staple and weight. The second canvasback drake is by Jim Pierce, Havre de

Grace, Md., in excellent original paint with minor scuffs. Structurally sound. Retains bottom weight, ring and staple.    200-300 

209 TWO CANVASBACK DRAKES, probably from the Lower Chesapeake Bay. Very old working paint. Head possibly repainted. Head structurally good with unusual bottom weight and pad weight. Together with a CANVASBACK DRAKE with very old working paint. Head possibly replaced. Fair structural condition with partial bill loss. Retains iron keel. 100-200  

210 CANVASBACK DRAKE from the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Very old working paint. Structurally sound. Unusual pose with upswept tail. Retains bottom weight, ring and staple. Bottom partially flat. 100-200

211 CANADA GOOSE by R. Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Md. Very good original paint showing some wear from use. An early example in good structural condition. Typical crack at mid-neck. Tight checks in bottom and some lifted grain on left side. Retains weight, ring and staple. Branded "CHS." Head turned slightly left. 300-500  

212 TWO CANADA GEESE by R. Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Md. Both in excellent original paint with some minor staining and shelf rubs. Both structurally sound in unused condition. Both retain bottom weights, rings and staples. Both signed on bottoms. 500-700

213 TWO CANADA GEESE by R. Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Md. Both in excellent original paint with some minor staining and shelf rubs. Both structurally sound in unused condition. Both retain bottom weights, rings and staples. Both signed on bottoms. 500-700

214 TWO CANADA GEESE by R. Madison Mitchell, Havre de Grace, Md. Both in excellent original paint with some minor staining and shelf rubs. Both structurally sound in unused condition. Both retain bottom weights, rings and staples. Both signed on bottoms. 500-700

214A  LOT OF FIVE PRIMITIVE DECOYS including  an early wood MERGANSER,
and an early Virginia BLACK DUCK. Both in working paint, structurally fair condition. Together with two FIBER DECOYS and a REED DECOY. Fair condition. 100-200
Not Shown

214B GREATER YELLOWLEG by the J.N. Dodge Decoy Company, Detroit, Mi. Very weathered working paint worn to the bare wood in areas.  Multiple shot scarring. Iron nail bill appears to be the original. Structurally very good with some loss to the underside of tail from shot.  100-200  

214C  EARLY CANVASBACK DRAKE from the Upper Bay in very old working paint. Structurally good condition. Retains bottom weight, ring and staple. Broad-bodied Upper Bay example.  100-200  

214D  CANVAS-BODY CANADA GOOSE, possibly Churches Island, N.C. Very good original paint with minor scuffs in unused condition. Wire-frame body with wood bottom board and hand-cut head with inserted bill.  Check in head knot loss at neck base.        100-300   

214E  LIVE PIGEON SHOOT SELECTION DEVICE, comprising a footed metal-cast base and an octagonal shaped wooden dial  with numerical face dial with brass arrow.
Very good condition.  Together with a SHOT SHELL LOADING DEVICE by the Bridgeport Gun Co., in fair condition with original box. 100-200

214F  LOT OF FOUR GAME CALLS consisting of a SQUIRREL CALL by Black Duck Game Call, No. S700, a CROW CALL by Lohman, No.104, a CROW CALL by Green Head, and a MAGNUM CROW CALL by Marble Arms Corp.  All in unused mint condition with packaging and instructions. 50-100

214G  LOT OF THREE REELS consisting of a Bristol No. 65 fly reel in fair condition, a Sea Bright by Abbey and Imbrie, No. 250, bake-lit, good condition and a boat reel by Ocean City, No. 112, in good condition, missing grip knob. 50-75  One Shown

215H  GROUP OF FOUR EARLYICE FISHING TIP-UPS.  Two by FISHCRAFTERS, Worcester, Ma. Generally fair condition, brass reels.  Two by Never Fail Co. Together with a very early metal sand spike and an early tackle box containing various hooks and leaders. 30-50  One Shown

215J  GROUP OF SIX VINTAGE RODS AND REELS, comprising an early bait-casting rod with a Defiance reel, two early boat rods with side-winder reels, one with bake-lite by U-NEED-A-REEL, another two boat rods, one with a Jamaica Bay reel, the other with a Pfluger Ohio reel, and an early bait rod with skeleton fly reel.  200-300
Part Shown

214K  LOT OF FIVE RODS AND REELS including a Montague 9', 3-piece fly rod, an early boat rod with side-wind reel and boat rod with skeletonized side-wind reel, a boat rod with bake-lite reel, and another boat rod with a bake-lite reel. All in fair condition.
200-300  Part Shown

215 PAIR OF CANVASBACKS by the L.T. Ward Bros., Crisfield, Md. 1936 models in near-mint original paint and unrigged condition. Both heads turned dramatically. Structurally very good with miniscule amount of filler shrinkage at base of drake's neck. Professional repair to crack in neck of hen. Exceptional bill carving. Both signed. Bottoms bear both signatures plus notation: "L.T.Ward Bros., Crisfield, Md. 1973." 4000-6000

216 PINTAIL HEN by the L.T. Ward Bros., Crisfield, Md. Weathered original paint, worn to the wood in areas. 1948 balsa construction, in good condition. Some body dents and small chip from upper tail. Low-head model turned slightly left. Notations on bottom read: "L.T. Ward, Crisfield, Md. 1948. Also signed "L.T. Ward Bros., 1948, Lem Steve."  See "Ward Brothers Decoys" by Gard and McGrath, pg. 65, plate 61. 1500-1800

217 BLUEBILL DRAKE by the L.T. Ward Bros., Crisfield, Md., ca. 1948. Balsa model with in-use working paint, possibly by Bud Vogel. Structurally very good with the head turned slightly left. Retains full bottom keel. Weight removed. 300-500

218 ONE-QUARTER SIZE OLD SQUAW DRAKE by the L.T. Ward Bros., Crisfield, Md. Excellent original paint and very good structural condition. Tiny rub to tail tip. Head turned slightly left. Label on bottom: “Old Squaw male. Hand carved-painted. The Duck House, Rumbley, Md.” 300-500

219 ONE-QUARTER SIZE HOODED MERGANSER HEN by the L.T. Ward Bros., Crisfield, Md. Excellent original paint and structurally good condition. Old repair to bill tip. Small chip from underside of tail. Label on bottom: Hooded merganser hen from The Duck House,

Rumbley, Md.” 300-500

220 BUFFLEHEAD DRAKE by Lem Ward, Crisfield, Md. Near-mint original paint and structurally excellent condition. Deep relief carving to wings with crossed wing tips. Restful position. Excellent bill carving. Exceptional paint. Keel removed. Signed “Lem Ward 1964.”  3000-5000

221 BLUE WING TEAL DRAKE by Caleb Ridgway Marter, Burlington, N.J. (1893-1977). Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Fine feather detail overall. Hollow carved with raised carved wings and fluted tail. Structurally excellent with very tiny chip forward under

222 PAIR OF ONE-THIRD SIZE MALLARDS by Tom Fitzpatrick, Delanco, N.J. (1887-1958) Both in very good original paint with some minor scuffs to edges. Both with raised carved wings and carved fluted tails. Both structurally very good. Both signed on bottom by artist. See "Floating Sculpture" by Huster and Knight, pgs. 66-68. These mallards were signed and given as a gift to the consignor, who was a personal friend and hunting companion. 800-1200  

223 BLUEBILL HEN by John Egeli II, Roebling, N.J. Excellent original paint showing minor wear. Excellent bill carving, structurally sound and hollow carved. Fluted tail and ice groove. Retains bottom weight, rigging thong and copper owner's tags.

400-600

224 BROADBILL DRAKE by John G. Egeli II, Roebling, N.J. in excellent original paint showing minor wear and staining. Excellent bill carving. Hollow construction, fluted tail. Retains bottom weight, rigging thong and copper name tags. 400-600

225 PAIR OF BUFFLEHEADS by Charles Allen, Bordentown, N.J. and painted by J. and J. West. Both with exceptional original paint done for 1969 International Decoy Contest, Davenport, IA. Both exceptionally well carved with relief wings and fluted tail. The drake's wings are convex, the hen's are concave. Both with broad, fluted tails. Both hollow with full keels and competition tags on bottoms. An exceptional pair of Delaware River decoys. 1800-2200

226 PAIR OF BLUEBILLS by Reese Black, Bordentown, N.J. Both in excellent original paint and unrigged condition. Both hollow carved with light wing and tail carving. Copper owner's tags. Drake signed. 400-600

227 BROADBILL DRAKE by Lawrence McLoughlin, Bordentown, N.J. Excellent original paint and structurally sound condition. Low-head model, hollow carved. Tail carving. Retains bottom weight, leather thong and copper gunning tags. 300-500

228 GOLDENEYE DRAKE by Anthony Bianco, Bordentown, N.J. Excellent original paint showing minimal wear. Hollow carved, low-head model that has never been weighted. Retains leather rigging strap, copper owner's tag. Branded "BIANCO" on bottom. 300-500

229 VERY RARE SHOVELLER DRAKE by John Egeli, II, Roebling, N.J. Excellent original paint and structurally sound condition. Exceptionally well-carved bill and raised, carved wing tips and fluted tail. Hollow with bottom pad weight and copper gunner's i.d. tag.  600-800

230 BLUEBILL DRAKE by Charles Allen, Bordentown, N.J. Very good original paint with some water staining to left side and minor rubs. Structurally excellent with relief carved wings and broad fluted tail. Hollow with full keel. Branded "C.L.ALLEN." Dated 1965.    1000-1200

231 VERY RARE PAIR OF PINTAILS by John Egeli, II, Roebling, N.J. Excellent original paint with some paint loss to the head and lower breast of hen. Both hollow carved and structurally very good. Carved, raised wing tips and fluted tails. Both retain bottom pad weights and rigging thongs, and copper i.d. tags. A rare pair of Delaware River pintails. 800-1200 

232 GREEN WING TEAL HEN by Bob Biddle, Media, Pa. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Hollow carved with exceptionally well-executed wing carving and fluted tail. Relief-carved wings and ice groove. Head turned slightly right. This exceptional decoy was made for a 1973 Ducks Unlimited dinner and is dated and signed by the artist on the bottom. 500-700  

233 BLUEWING TEAL HEN by Bob White, Tullytown, Pa. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Structurally excellent condition. Raised relief wings and wing tip carving with fluted tail. Molded bottom competition keel. Notation on bottom reads:

"FEMALE BLUE WINGED TEAL CARVED BY BOB WHITE 1968." Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Together with a paper label: "WON THIRD PLACE 1968 U.S. NATIONALS. RL WHITE" faintly stamped on keel. On a fitted burlap stand. 1800-2200

234 RARE RINGNECKED DRAKE by Bob White, Tullytown, Pa. Near-mint original paint and structurally sound condition. Hollow carved with raised, carved wing tips and fluted tail. Head turned slightly left. Retains bottom bob-white weight and copper gunning

tag and leather rigging thong. 800-1200   

235 HOODED MERGANSER DRAKE by George Walker, in near-mint original paint and unused condition. Hollow carved with very minor seam opening on right side. Exceptional feather detail with spread, fluted tail. Ice groove separation. Head turned slightly left.  Notation on bottom reads: “For 1973 Ducks Unlimited Dinner.” Signed by maker. One of this carver’s finest works. 500-700  

236 WIDGEON DRAKE by Bob White, Tullytown, Pa. Near-mint original paint and condition with raised, carved wing tips and carved, fluted tail. Retains bottom quail-impressed weight with copper Bob White i.d. tag. Signed and dated by artist. 500-700

237 REDHEAD HEN by George Walker. Excellent original paint and unused condition. Elaborate carved detail overall. Structurally sound with a minor chip to one tail feather tip. Keel removed from bottom. Three inlet circular weights. 200-300

238 RARE BRANT by John Egeli, II, Roebling, N.J. Excellent original paint and structurally sound condition. Carved, raised wings and fluted, carved tail. Well-carved bill treatment. Hollow construction with pad bottom weight and leather thong. Retains copper i.d. tags. 800-1200   

239 PAIR OF BLUE WING TEAL by R. Sabatini, Levittown, Pa. Excellent original paint with very minor edge scuffs. Both with detailed wing carving and fluted tails. Both retain bottom weights and rigging thongs. Both signed "R. Sabatini." 200-300

240 PAIR OF GREEN WING TEAL by John McLoughlin, Bordentown, N.J. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Excellent feather detail with fine structural details to carved wings and fluted tails. Both wing tips raised. Both heads slightly turned. Both signed "John W. McLoughlin" on bottoms. An outstanding pair of this maker's work. 600-900  

241 BLACK DUCK attributed to Mayor Costello, Burlinton, N.J. Excellent original scratch-feather paint showing some minor wear. Low-head model, hollow carved. Retains bottom weight, rigging eye and swivel, and copper id tag. Raised, carved wings and fluted tail.  400-600

242 BLACK DUCK by Clark Madara, Pitman, N.J. Early flocked model with what appears to be original paint on head. Possible overpaint to bottom black area. Retains original pad weight and leather rigging thong. 200-400

243 VERY EARLY BLACK DUCK by John McLoughlin, Bordentown, N.J. Old working paint, worn to wood in areas. Hollow carved with six carved feathers per wing. Retain original bottom weight, rigging thong and copper id tag. 800-1200

244 EARLY BLACK DUCK by Charles Black, Bordentown, N.J. Weathered working paint. Low-head, hollow carved model with raised, carved wing tips. Fair structural condition with a 1 3/4" chip from upper left tail. Retains bottom pad weight. 200-300

245 BLACK DUCK by Clark Madara, Pitman, N.J. Retains very old flocked body paint with in-use touch-up to head. Structurally good, hollow carved with hairline neck check and body check on back. Retains bottom weight and brass i.d. tag. 400-600

246 BLACK DUCK by Clark Madara, Pitman, N.J. Retains very good paint by Lem Ward, Crisfield, Md. Shows in-use wear. Hollow carved, structurally very good condition. Retains bottom weight and rigging staple. Branded "CJS" on bottom. 400-600

247 GOLDENEYE DRAKE by Jay Parker, Parkertown, N.J. Very good original paint with some minor rubs. Hollow carved with ice groove, bottom weight and thong. Together with a BLUEBILL DRAKE by Eugene "Dipper" Ortley, in weathered original paint with possible touch up.  Hollow carved. Structurally good with a check to the right side. Body seam very slightly separated. Retains bot tom weight and rigging strap.  300-500

248 BLACK DUCK by Harry V. Shourds, Tuckerton, N.J., circa 1890. Near-mint original paint and excellent structural condition. Very small chip to left tip of tail. This extraordinary decoy is possibly one of the finest H.V. Shourds decoys discovered to date.

It has remained in the W.C. Lowry family since the time of purchase and has been displayed as a mantel decoration since 1908, in a Pennsylvania hunting lodge. It descended through the family and is branded "W.C. LOWRY" on the bottom. Typical inlet bottom weight, but never rigged for hunting.  20,000-30,000  

*Letter of provenance:

Jon,  The decoys were placed on the mantel of a summer home built by my great grandfather in 1908. The exact year he bought the decoys is unknown, but I would think that it was near the time that the house was built since there was a shelf built on the fireplace just for the decoys. As far as I know the decoys were never taken down from the mantel except to be cleaned.

The house was built on Pocono Lake Preserve, a summer resort on a private lake in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, that was originally built for logging and then used as a source of ice for Philadelphia. My grandfather and several other prominent business men from Philadelphia, who had been camping on the lake in the summer, bought the lake and established the preserve.

My grandfather on my Mothers side inherited the house and when he died established a trust for his five children that was later passed down to my generation. It was at this time that the trust was dissolved and the  house was sold. I had always admired the decoys and requested that I be able to take them before the house was sold.

The brand on the decoy was done by my grandfather with a branding iron for identification/ownership. He did this on most of his tools and other possessions. I can remember seeing the branding iron hanging on the wall.

----- Original Message -----

250 RARE HUTCHINS GOOSE by Lloyd Johnson, Bay Head, N.J. This fine example in near-mint original paint and unused condition displays this maker's fine blending and use of feathering detail. Structurally sound and hollow carved with primary and secondary wing detail. Relief-carved raised sides. Excellent bill treatment and fluted tail. Rare carving by this master artist. Pencil notation on bottom: "From L. Johnson 1960." Stamped "SGH" (Somers G. Headley) twice on bottom. 1500-1800

251 FINE PAIR OF GREEN WING TEAL by Lloyd Johnson, Bay Head, N.J. Excellent original paint with some crazing to the drake's breast, side and undertail. Smudge to forehead and some crazing to crest. The hen with very minor crazing to breast. Fine carving to the primary and secondary feathers. Raised wings and fluted tails with excellent detail. Heads turned sharply right. Both structurally excellent. Both branded "LLOYD JOHNSON" on bottoms. Very fine New Jersey teal. 1500-2500

252 PINTAIL DRAKE, Stratford, Ct., school. Very good original paint showing minor in-use wear. Solid carved with wing detail and inserted metal tail. Retains bottom tear-drop weight and leather rigging thong. Weight embossed "ELM." 2000-3000

253 AN EXTREMELY RARE BLACK DUCK by William Russell Breit, Stratford, Ct. (1893-1955) Near-mint original paint and unused condition with very minor shelf rubs. Structurally excellent with the head turned slightly left. Hollow carved. This decoy is made from Shang Wheeeler's actual pattern, circa 1940. Paint nearly identical to Shang Wheeler's style. For literature, see "Connecticut Decoys" by Chitwood, pgs. 10, 118 and 119. 1500-2500

254 BLACK DUCK from Stratford, Ct., in excellent original paint in what appears to be in unused condition. Shoulder carving and v-tail carving. Good carving to bill. Some minor rubs to surface.  Hollow construction. Faint brand on left side, “V**ENDEN.” For similar Stratford examples, see “Connecticut Decoys” by Chitwood, Pg. 39.  800-1200

255 WHITE WINGED SCOTER DRAKE by Roswell Bliss, Stratford, Ct., circa 1955. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Relief-carved wing separation and "v" carved tail. Excellent bill carving. Branded "R.BLISS" on bottom. Original weight and leather strap. See “Connecticut Decoys” by Chitwood, pg. 63, for an almost identical example.  900-1200

256 CANADA GOOSE attributed to George Boyd, Seabrook, N.H. (1873-1941). Original weathered paint worn to wood and canvas in areas. Appears to be a very early Boyd goose with typical wood breast, tail and canvas-covered, wood-frame body. Structurally good with some minor separation to wood seams. See “New England Decoys” by Delph, pg. 49, for similar examples. 2000-3000   

257 CANADA GOOSE attributed to George Boyd, Seabrook, N.H. (1873-1941). Original weathered paint worn to wood and canvas in areas. Appears to be a very early Boyd goose with typical wood breast, tail and canvas-covered, wood-frame body. Structurally good with some minor separation to wood seams. See "New England Decoys" by Delph, pg. 49 for similar examples. 2000-3000

258 RARE LIFE-SIZE MALE GOLDFINCH by A.E. Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Exceptionally well-executed with dropped wing tips and v-notched tail. Outstanding original paint. Mounted on a simulated painted rock base with rectangular stamp. Hand-written pencil notation: “Lifesize Male Goldfinch." Very tip of bill touched up. 3000-5000  

259 OUTSTANDING AND UNIQUE FULL-SIZE BALTIMORE ORIOLE MALE by A.E. Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Exceptionally well-executed paint with some minor crazing to face. Split-tail model with fluted feather tail. Mounted on a painted simulated rock base with molded feet. This exceptional carving has a painted signature, "A.E. Crowell," on the side of the base. The underside has rectangular brand and pencil notation: "Baltimore Oriole Male." Very tip of bill has been touched up and the gesso at thighs professionally strengthened. 5000-7000   

260 FULL SIZE BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE by A. Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Near-mint original paint and structurally excellent condition. Raised carved wing detail and dropped tail. Mounted on a driftwood base. Feet painted on wood base. 3000-4000

261 RARE MINIATURE SANDERLING by A.E. Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Near-mint original paint and fine structural condition. Split tail carving. Mounted on a natural piece of driftwood with feet painted on wood with toe detail. 800-1200

262 MINIATURE SCARLET TANGIER by A. Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Very delicate carving in near-mint original paint and structurally sound condition. Painted feet. Mounted on a wood base. Extremely rare signature, "A.E. Crowell," painted on front of base. Rectangular stamp on bottom. 1200-1500   

263 MINIATURE ROBIN by A.E. Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Very dainty songbird with split tail and notched tail tip. Excellent original paint with very minor touch-up to tip of bill. Mounted on painted simulated rock with rectangular stamp on bottom. "Male Robin.”    800-1200

264 MINIATURE MALLARD DRAKE by A. Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Excellent original paint and good structural condition with old repair to crack in neck and a tiny chip to upper split-tail carving. Mounted on wood base with rectangular stamp. Written notation: "Mallard Male." 600-900   

265 MINIATURE BLUE JAY by A. Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Exceptionally well-executed original paint. Structurally sound with split-tail carving. Mounted on a painted wood base with painted feet. Crisp rectangular brand on bottom. 800-1200

266 MINIATURE RED-WING BLACK BIRD by A. Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Excellent original paint and structurally sound condition. Split-tail carving and painted feet. Mounted on a painted simulated rock base with painted typical feet. Rectangular stamp on bottom.  800-1200

267 MINIATURE EASTERN BLUEBIRD by A. Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Ma. Near-mint original paint and structurally sound condition. Split, elongated tail carving. Mounted on a painted wood base. Painted feet. Rectangular stamp on bottom. Exceptionally well-blended paint.  800-1200

268 EARLY ONE-THIRD SIZE WIDGEON DRAKE by Frank Adams, West Tisbury, Ma. Good original paint with some rubs and flaking. Head turned slightly right. Check on front underside. Made as a paperweight. See "Martha's Vineyard Decoys" by Murphy, pg. 45. 300-500

269 POSTCARD by the Defender Post card company, diamond within diamond, depicting Elmer Crowell at work in his shop painting various decorative works. Circa 1920-40. The lower portion of the card is signed in ink "A.E. Crowell, E Harwich Cape Cod." 3 1/2"x 5 3/4". Together with a business card for "A.E. Crowell & Son, Makers of CARVED DUCKS AND GAME BIRDS * for Decorating Purposes* Telephone Harwich 441 W 4  East Harwich, Mass."   100-200

270 MINIATURE REDHEAD DRAKE attributed to James Lapham, Dennis, Ma. Very good original paint with minor flaking to crest of head. Structurally very good with split-tail carving. Two small tiny rubs to tail tips and bill tip. Mounted on painted base with painted feet. Tag on bottom reads: "Ackermann Galleries, N.Y." 500-700  

271 OVERSIZED MERGANSER by Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Va. Excellent original paint with minor shot scarring and rubs. Structurally excellent condition with unusual turned head. Retains bottom weight and large screw eye. Wing separation groove on back. 800-1200

272 RARE CANVASBACK HEN by Delbert Hudson, Chincoteague, Va. Very good original paint with in-use wear. Structurally good with a chip from underside of bill. Retains tack eyes, bottom pad weight and rigging thong. For an almost identical example see "Ira Hudson and Family" by Stansbury, pg. 89. 1200-1500   

273 CANVASBACK DRAKE by Doug Jester, Chincoteague, Va. Excellent original paint showing minor scuffs. Structurally very good, in unrigged condition. Solid construction. Hairline partial crack in neck. Some roughness to tail edge. Filler in check on back.

Drip of white paint on left side. Signed notation on bottom reads: "Made by Douglas Jester, Chincoteague, Va., 800." See "Southern Decoys" by Fleckenstein, Plate 146, pg. 96. 600-900

274 PAIR OF REDHEADS by Delbert "Cigar" Daisey, Chincoteague, Va. Exceptionally early decoys in excellent original paint showing minor scuffs and bleeding. Both with relief-carved wings and cross-carved wing tips. Drake with comb painting. Drip of

white paint on hen's tail. Both  branded "CIGAR." 800-1200  

275 EXCEPTIONAL BRANT by Delbert "Cigar" Daisey, Chincoteague, Va. Early model purchased directly from the carver. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. The paint displays fine feather work and side stippling. Structurally sound. Fine example of this maker’s work. 800-1200

276 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER HEN by Capt. Richard E. Belote, Willis Wharf, Va. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Structurally sound with carved wing separation and tips. Flowing crest and elaborate bill carving. Retains full keel. Branded “REB” and signed by maker. 200-300

276A BUFFLEHEAD DRAKE by Capt. R.E. Belote, Willis Wharf, Va. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Raised wing carving and broad fluted tail. Retains deep, weighted keel. Branded "REB." 200-300

277 BLACK DUCK by Capt. R.E. Belote, Willis Wharf, Va. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Raised, carved wing feathers. Head turned slightly right. Full sleigh keel. Branded "REB" and signed on bottom. 200-300

278 CANADA GOOSE by Capt. Richard E. Belote, Willis Wharf, Va. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Carved wing detail. Snakey-head pose. Signed and branded "REB" on bottom. 200-300

279 VERY EARLY BLUE BILL DRAKE, probably Long Island, in very weathered paint and good structural condition. A 1" knot loss in tail. Retains leather rigging strap. Bottom weight removed. Stamped "CT LUDLOW" three times at rear and side of head. 300-500

280 RARE CANADA GOOSE by Cliff Foster, Hampton Bays, N.Y. Very good original paint with possible touch up to repaired neck crack area. Solid carved with head turned boldly left. Deep ice groove wing separation. Used both as a floater and stick-up. "C.FOSTER" written on bottom.  1000-2000

281 VERY EARLY LONG ISLAND SHORE BIRD, possibly a dowitcher. Weathered original paint and good structural condition. Bill appears to be the original bill. Mounted on a wood base.  500-700

282 EARLY STYLIZED BUFFLEHEAD DRAKE, probably the Connecticut River region. Excellent original paint showing minor wear and cord staining. Bottom board with boat-tail shape. Bottom weight has been removed. 300-500

283 VERY RARE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER DRAKE by Cliff Foster, Hampton Bays, N.Y. Excellent original paint and fine structural condition. Solid carved with the head turned boldly right. Bears minor shot scarring to left face. Bottom inlet pad weight and thong.  2000-3000

284 RARE AND EARLY TEAL DECOY, possibly Long Island. Excellent original paint showing minor wear. Structurally very good with some loss to bill and right side of head from shot. Appears to have been used as a stick-up. One-inch chip of wood missing from

underside. This extraordinary teal decoy appears to have been made at the turn of the last century or earlier. A fantastic piece of folk art. 500-700

285 GOLDEN PLOVER, probably Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard, Ma. Appears to be original paint with crazing. Structurally very good with original bill. Raised, carved wings with split tail.     1500-1800

286 EARLY DOWITCHER, possibly by a member of the Folger family, Nantucket, Ma. Very good original paint with feather detail preserved by a thin coat of shellac or varnish. Structurally very good with raised "S" carved wing detail and split-tail carving. Bill and shoe-button eyes appear to be original. Branded "EC" in bottom. 1500-2500  

287 EARLY NEW JERSEY SHOREBIRD with split-tail carving and strong original paint. Some dry rot and paint loss to bottom. Small loss to bill tip. Retains tack eyes. 200-300

288 GOLDEN PLOVER probably Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket . Retains strong original paint that has been preserved by a partial coat of varnish or shellac. Two-piece construction. Structurally very good with what appears to be the original bill. For a similar example, see "New England Decoys" by Delph, pg. 112. 1200-1500   

289 LARGE CURLEW, probably Cape May County, N.J., in good original paint showing spot and feather detail. The bill appears to be original. Tack eyes. Structurally very good condition. 1500-1800

290 AN UNUSUAL PLOVER from Cape May County, N.J., in good original paint preserved by a coat of shellac or varnish. Structurally good with the head turned partially right. Drop-style tail. Professional repair to bottom right side. 800-1200

291 EARLY CANADA GOOSE made in Antigonish County, Canada, circa 1900. Attributed to the Micmac Indians of Antigonish. The decoy retains mostly original paint with possible very early touch-up to the white on breast and underside of tail. Structurally very good with deep relief-carving to back. Broad paddle tail and shelf for removable head. Bottom board construction that is unweighted for use on ice flows. This decoy has been in storage since 1914, and accompanied by a letter of provenance. 8000-12000

292 RARE RING NECK HEN by Dave K. Nichol, Smiths Falls, Ont. Excellent original paint with very minor wear. Primary and secondary wing carving with fluted tail carving. Structurally excellent condition. Retains round bottom weight. Extremely rare species.  600-900

293 EARLY GOLDENEYE DRAKE by Bill Cooper, Verdun, Quebec. Very good original paint with some possible touch up to white areas. Paint weathered to the wood on bill and tail. Deep relief feather carving with bill detail. Structurally very good. Two leather rigging thongs. “JL” carved in bottom. See “Traditions in Wood” by Fleming and Carpenter, pgs. 68-69.  500-700

294 PAIR OF EARLY GUNNING MALLARDS by Charles Perdew, Henry, Ill. (1874-1963). This exceptional pair of decoys retains its original paint that is shows minor wear from use. Both are in very dry, out of rig condition. Both hollow carved. The hen's head is turned to the left. There is a hairline crack in the bottom part of the drake's bill. Both in exceptional paint. Both bear "RES" brands on bottoms, which indicates that they are from the shooting rig of Rueben E. Sommer, Peoria, Il. Mr. Somer was the co-owner of the Rice Pond Duck Club in Chillicothe, Il. Both bottom weights have been removed. 8000-12000  

295 RARE EARLY DUCK CALL by Charles H. Perdew, Henry, Il. Double-banded model with original mouthpiece. Inscription stamped on barrell: “Chas. H Perdew, Henry, Ill.” Very good original condition. "K" carved in barrel. 300-500

296 PAIR OF MALLARDS by Herb Miller, Beach Haven, N.J. Near-mint original paint and unused condition. Both hollow carved, structurally sound. Tucked head position. Deep wing separation and wing tip carving. Fluted tails. Both with bottom pad weights. Both

branded "H MILLER" and signed on bottoms. 800-1200   

297 ONE-QUARTER SIZE PAIR OF MALLARDS by Herb Miller, Beach Haven, N.J. Near-mint original paint and structurally sound condition. Raised, carved wing detail with carved, fluted tails. Both signed by maker on bottom. 500-700

298 PAIR OF RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS by Herb Miller, Beach Haven, N.J. Exceptional mint original paint and unused condition. Structurally sound with hollow construction. Deep wing separation with carved, raised wings and fluted tails. Both with bottom pad

weights, leather thongs. Branded "H MILLER" and signed on bottoms. 800-1200  

299 PAIR OF CINNAMON TEAL by Herb Miller, Beach Haven, N. J. Excellent original paint with some sap bleeding to both. Both in good structural condition with raised wing tips and fluted tails. Both hollow carved in a low-head position. Both retain bottom pad weights. Both branded with early "H. MILLER" brand. 700-900   

300 PAIR OF OLD SQUAWS by Herb Miller, Beach Haven, N.J. Excellent original paint with some minor sap bleeding to both. Both structurally very good. Deep ice grooves, carved wing tips and fluted tails. Both heads slightly turned. Both retain bottom pad weights.  Both signed and branded. 700-900

300A PAIR OF BUFFLEHEADS by Herb Miller, Beach Haven, N.J. Near-mint original paint and condition. Both structurally excellent. Hollow carved with deep ice grooves, carved wings and fluted tails. Both heads slightly turned. Both retain bottom pad weights. Both branded and signed. 700-900