Humphry Lewark Canvasback
Exceedingly rare hen canvasback by this market gunner from Sea Gull, North Carolina near Corolla ca. 1910...bold high head atop an oversized body with well worn original paint...some cracks and checks from heavy use...original rigging...about 18”l.
SOLD
Barnard Canvasback
One of a kind sleeper canvasback by Charles Nelson Barnard (1876-1958) of Havre de Grace, Maryland...surface has considerable wear and appears to be a combination of original and gunning paint...x-rays available upon request...measures 13"l.
SOLD
Duffy Lawson Teal
Rarest of the rare describe this wonderful standing pair of green wing teal by Duffy Lawson circa 1920's...obvious influence from his friends Lem & Steve...tomato basket applied wings...original paint and condition with minor flaws...both measure roughly 12"l.
$15,000/pr.
Sam Smith Pintail
Historically significant hen pintail from Amityville, Long Island circa 1870...used at the Swan Island Club...head has lifted from the body and one eye missing...branded "W. H. FORBES" and "W. ENDICOTT" both of whom were early members...measures 15.5"l.
SOLD
John Glenn Bluebills
Rare and iconic high head pair of bluebills by this stallwart from Rock Hall, MD...original paint with honest wear circa 1940...hen has extremely high head...both signed on underside...both about 13.5"l.
SOLD
Ike Phillips Black Duck
Early black duck by Ike Phillips of Wachapreague, Virginia circa 1890's...cypress body with a large indentation on one side and inserted piece of wood on the other side...original paint with wear...body is peppered with tiny shot used for shorebirds...measures 15.5"l.
SOLD
Manie Haywood Swan
Iconic form on this canvas over wire frame swan from Kill Devil Hills, NC...has trademark groove above bill and two-piece head with worn original paint...bottom has "H. B. Saunders, Poplar Branch, NC and 1935" for Blanton Saunders...about 31"l.
SOLD
Albin Aydlett Redhead
Early drake redhead by this little known carver from Mainland Currituck, North Carolina circa 1930...original paint that has mellowed to a pleasing surface...retains original ballast weight...great form and functional decoy...about 15.5"l.
$1,100
Ben Dye Redhead
Extremely early drake redhead from the Upper Chesapeake Bay by this well known carver from Perryville, MD circa 1870...angel wing paint that appears original...x-rays reveal a neck repair to well carved head with mandibles...about 13"l.
SOLD
Ira Hudson Bluebill
Near mint drake bluebill from Chincoteague, VA circa 1930's...bone dry original paint and condition with his finest swirl paint around the breast...minimal wear with minor touchup to filler on top of head and front of neck...measures 13.5"l.
SOLD
Elmer Crowell Redhead
Iconic drake redhead by the father of American bird decoy carving from East Harwich, MA circa 1920's...solid body construction with combination of original and gunning paint...oval brand on bottom is barely visible...it measures 15"l.
$2,750
James Holly Canvasback
Outstanding form on this drake canvasback by James Holly of Havre de Grace, MD circa 1890...in worn original paint with bare wood in places, it makes a statement...a great addition to any Upper Chesapeake Bay decoy collection...15"l.
SOLD
Ward Bros. Black Duck
Classic low body example of a balsa body black duck circa 1948...outstanding form with turned head and inserted tail...original paint with extensive feather detail and minor wear...this example is unsigned but unmistably by the famous brothers from Crisfield, MD...about 17"l.
$3,500
Ned Burgess Redhead
Near mint drake redhead by Ned Burgess from Waterlily in North Carolina...from the Aman Rig used near Sneads Ferry on the New River...outstanding original paint and form with great patina...they don't come any better than this one...measures 16.5"l.
$7,250
Portsmouth Island Brant
Exceedingly rare brant from Portsmouth Island, North Carolina circa 1920...solid body construction with flat bottom and original rigging in place...possibly made by one of the Salter or Styron family from Carteret County, many of whom were guides there...measures 19"l.
$3,400
Alvirah Wright Ruddy
Exceedingly rare ruddy duck by one of North Carolina's most iconic carvers made around 1900...unmistakable form with high head and angular body...has a carved "E" on bottom for Knotts Island guide Napoleon Etheridge Rig...UV light shows old head replacement...formerly in the collection of Don Walston...about 14"l.
SOLD
Daddy Holly Bluebill
Exceedingly rare drake bluebill by the Patriarch of the Holly family from Havre de Grace, MD...dating to around 1850, this historically important decoy bears the "NORTH CAROLINA" brand...early gunning paint that has worn to original in areas...about 13.5"l.
SOLD
Wayland Baum Brant
Sculptural brant by this carver from Wanchese, North Carolina...in worn original paint with crack down back...it has been rode hard as the saying goes...Sanders Foundry cast iron weight from Elizabeth City, NC...approximately 17.5"l.
$1,800
John Henry Downes Black Duck
Outstanding, two-piece black duck by this carver from Townsend, Virginia...in worn original paint with raised wings and carved eyes that compliment a pleasing form..."JHD" carved into the underside...Charlie Hunter Collection brass tag as well...16"l.
$3,750
Unknown Sleeper Bluebill
Check out this relic from the past...has attributes of decoys from Long Island...dating to about 1890's, it is in worn, original paint with cracks and wear from hard use...has two sets of initials in the bottom "PK" and "JHD"...square cut nail holding bill to back...approximately 13"l.
$1,900
Eldon Willis/Elmer Salter Bluebill
Classic drake bluebill from this well known team from Carteret County, North Carolina... original paint that has extensive wear to bare wood in places...ballast weight and rigging have been removed...13"l.
$825
Lloyd Tyler Pintail
Bold example of a drake pintail by this Crisfield, MD...in worn original paint from hard use, it still looks great on the shelf...signed and dated 1929 on the bottom of the decoy...in use bill repair from many years ago...19"l.
$1,200
Miles Hancock Teal
Scarce pair of green wing teal by this well know carver from Chincoteague, Virginia...in original paint with great form...balsa bodies with expected wear to paint...Purnell brands on the bottoms...they measure roughly 11"l.
$3,750/pr.
Charles Nelson Barnard Wing Duck
Check out this wooden wing duck by Charles Nelson Barnard from Havre de Grace, MD...super rare example circa 1920's in original condition...used in a sink box on the famed Susquehanna Flats...very few of the wooden wing ducks survive today in any condition...13"l.
$5,500
Doug Jester Bufflehead
Early hen bufflehead by Doug Jester from Chincoteague Island, VA...carved from cottonwood, it exhibits great form with worn original paint...tag on bottom states it was previously in the collection of well known collector Henry Stansbury...about 10.5"l.
$2,250
Doug Jester Merganser
Minty hooded merganser by one of the big three from Chincoteague, Virginia...in original paint with great form...carved crest and bill compliment classic Jester form...signed on the underside and never rigged...12"l.
SOLD
A. B. Vance Canvasback
Early and exceedingly rare drake canvasback by this Philadelphia carver uncovered by Russ Allen...dating to about 1870, it is in worn, original paint with sleek form...wooden peg holding bottom board...minor touch up to bill tip...approximately 16"l.
$2,600
Lloyd Sterling Black Duck
Form and function describe this early Crisfield black duck by Lloyd Sterling circa 1920...classic form with alert head position and original paint...solid body made from two pieces of wood...ballast weight and line tie removed...measures 17.5"l.
$7,500
Doug Jester Black Duck
Solid body black duck by Doug Jester from Chincoteague Island, VA...oversized body made from cedar with worn original paint..."PPGC" hot brand on underside from the Piney Point Gun Club...original ballast weight and line tie still attached...about 16"l.
$1,200
Hog Island Teal
Rare species for this coastal Island off Northampton County, Virginia...solid body with raised wings and a surface that has been worn to bare wood...retains a swing ballast weight and Collins Auction tag from 1994...it measures 11"l.
$2,750
Louisiana Pintails
Outstanding pair of pintails in the style of Jim Mossmeier from New Orleans, LA...classic form with cypress bodies, raised wings and original paint...drake has stable crack in bill...rigging has been removed for the shelf...both measure approximately 17"l.
$4,900