Welcome back to American Sporting Classics! Today we'll discuss where to begin with collecting American bird decoys. There are so many directions you could go with decoy collecting. Should you collect antique decoys, contemporary decoys, regional decoys or a particular species? Duck decoys have been made since American Indians first fashioned decoys out of reeds to lure ducks close enough to shoot them with their bows and arrows. Wooden decoys have been made since before the Civil War.
Examples include a black duck by Charles Birch, who was from Willis Wharf, Virginia near Chincoteague Island. This example, probably made around 1900, is hollow carved in original scratch paint with tack eyes. Another example of an antique decoy is a bluebill by Clark Howell from Havana, Illinois made shortly after 1900 in worn original paint. It is unusual for an Illinois River decoy in that it is carved with a solid body...most were hollow carved from that region. Decoys were made in many different regions including along the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes Region, coastal New England, Chesapeake Bay and the Carolinas.
You might also decide to collect contemporary decoys as wooden decoys are still made in many of the same regions of North America. Examples include an old squaw or long tail duck by Jerry Talton from Stella, North Carolina, a ruddy duck by Roe Terry or "DUC-MAN" from Chincoteague, Virginia who learned to from "Young Doug" Jester and Cigar Daisey. Roe has been carving for over 50 years and has remained true to the Chincoteague tradition of making hunting style decoys.
Books on decoys and decoy collecting are available and worth having to increase your knowledge about decoys. There are books available at your local library and on sites such as Amazon, Alibris and Ebay. Examples include "Gunnin' Birds" by Kroghie Andresen, "Decoys of the Susquehanna Flats" by Evans McKinney, "New Jersey Decoys" by Henry Fleckenstein, "Chesapeake Bay Decoys" by Bobby Richardson, "American Bird Decoys" by William Mackey and "Wild Fowl Decoys" by Joel Barber.
If you are serious about learning more about decoys, attend decoy shows, handle as many decoys as you can get your hands on, visit museums to learn about decoys from particular regions and the history of waterfowling. Find a reputable dealer who you trust to mentor and guide you as you begin to build your collection.
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5 сен 2024
