Red-Breasted Merganser Drake Decoy Carved in a Maine Style by Marty Collins, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, circa 2021. It’s always special event to visit Marty and acquire one of his decoys, especially one of his sleek Mergansers. As Rod Taylor points out in Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2010, pg. 35, “Today Collins is regarded by many as one of the preeminent carvers in America.” This Merganser is especially appealing because it offers the Maine Style Inserted Head dowelled behind the neck. Maine coastal decoys are designed to handle the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, Marty’s Mergansers offer the Sleek Look of Mergansers on the water still further Accented by Detailed Carving. The Carved Eye is typical of Gus Wilson’s decoys and the Carved Crest creates Durability. Added are the Raised Wings which give the decoy a More Dynamic Look. The Paint is in Mint Original Condition with a Nicely “Aged” Patina. Then Marty fully Rigs his decoys and brands him: “M.D. Collins”. Measurements: 16 ½” in length, 5” in width, and 6 ½” in height. A Wonderful Addition to Any Decoy Collection.

(DX845) Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information.

SOLD

A Somewhat Under-Sized, Slightly Turned Head Canada Goose Decoy by Elmer Crowell (1862 – 1952) East Harwich, Massachusetts, circa Early 1920s. Crowell was a Cape Cod legend in his time and that legend lives on. Crowell was a duck hunter and a guide, a decoy carver, decorative bird carver, and more. Today he is known, most notably, for the Quality of his Decoy and Bird Carvings. This Little Goose is from the Pequaw Honk Club located on Quick Sand Pond, Little Compton, Rhode Island, and is Branded “Pequaw Honk Club”. The Club used Decoys Purchased from and Maintained by Crowell and carries the Crowell “Oval Brand”. The Decoy has an Old Coat of Working Repaint by Crowell as identified by Ken DeLong when the decoy was partially restored in 1990. Having been heavily gunned at the Club, DeLong did some restoration to Shot Scars on the Tail and the Body, plus Paint to the Neck. Measurements: 21 ½” in length, 6 ½” in width, and 11” in height. This Canada Goose Decoy is a Fine Piece of Southeastern New England Decoy Making and Duck Hunting History.  

(DX1846)  Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information.

Price $1850 plus shipping

Very Appealing Canvasback Drake Decoy from the Upper Mid-West, probably Michigan, circa 1940s -1950s. The Decoy displays Fine Form, especially in the Head Carving (see large images) and has Paint Eyes. The Paint, which is totally Original, has a Primer Coat of Gray, so that once the Canvasback Paint Pattern is applied the White Areas take on a Mellower, no shine, Effect to enhance the Decoy’s Realism on the Water, rather than a brighter white. In addition, Blending the Red and Black on the Head again enhances the Realism of the Decoy. Remnants of the rigging suggest the decoy was rigged fore and aft, perhaps as part of a line rig. The decoy measures 17” in length, 7” in width, and 7” in height. A nice Canvasback Decoy from Michigan.

(DX786)   Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information.

Price $325 plus shipping

Beautifully Formed Crow Decoy by Stan Vath, Olivenhain, California. The Simplicity of Vath’s Full-Bodied Crow Form allows his Distinct Accents – the Bill & Nostril Carving, the Indented Eye Groove with Forward Placed Eyes, the Rise of the Back & the Thigh Extension Below, the Elongated Tail with the Raised Primary Carving – to create an Easily Identifiable Decoy Species. Nothing more is necessary except the Paint, a True Black. In Excellent Original Condition, the Decoy is Signed on the Bottom: “Stan Vath” & Branded with an S imbedded in a V. The Crow is 17” in length, 4+” in width, and 12” in height, including the stand. A Bold Decoy for the Crow Collector.

(DX828)  Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information.

Price $225 plus shipping