- STANDARD-GRADE PINTAIL PAIREvans Duck
STANDARD-GRADE PINTAIL PAIREvans Duck Decoy Co. (1921-1932)
Ladysmith, WI, c. 1925
17 in. long
The drake bears an Evans ink stamp.
Original paint with heavy gunning wear and some repaint.
Provenance: Terry Smart Collection
Literature: Andy Schoneich and Terry Smart, "Evans Duck Decoy Factory," Lawsonville, NC, 2017, p. 67, exact hen illustrated.
Exhibited: Memphis, TN, Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Heritage Center, "Evans Duck Decoy Factory: Collection of Terry Smart," 2021-2023.
- MAMMOTH-GRADE PINTAIL PAIREvans Duck
MAMMOTH-GRADE PINTAIL PAIREvans Duck Decoy Co. (1921-1932)
Ladysmith, WI, c. 1930
19 in. long
The drake bears an Evans ink stamp and has been struck twice with a "P.G.C." brand.
Mix of original and repaint with heavy gunning wear. Hen has neck chip and screw.
Provenance: Terry Smart Collection
Literature: Andy Schoneich and Terry Smart, "Evans Duck Decoy Factory," Lawsonville, NC, 2017, p. 63, exact pair illustrated.
Exhibited: Memphis, TN, Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Heritage Center, "Evans Duck Decoy Factory: Collection of Terry Smart," 2021-2023.
- MINIATURE PINTAIL PAIRA. Elmer Crowell
MINIATURE PINTAIL PAIRA. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1930
base is 6 in. long
A special miniature double-mount pintail pair with the maker's inked signature and rectangular stamp on the bottom of the base. Like his full-sized decoratives, the feet of this duo were built with putty, rather than painted like his standard miniatures.
Original paint with light wear.
- PINTAIL PAIRRichard "Fresh Air Dick"
Janson
PINTAIL PAIRRichard "Fresh Air Dick"
Janson (1872-1951) Sonoma Creek, CA, c. 1940
17 1/2 in. long
A pair of classic West Coast decoys with layered primary feathers. The drake is hollow.
Original paint with even wear and minor spot-touch-up to bill tips.
Provenance: Bob Olson Collection
Private Collection
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast," Davis, CA, 1986, cover and pp. 142-152, related decoys illustrated.
- MINIATURE PINTAIL PAIRBenjamin S. Schmidt
MINIATURE PINTAIL PAIRBenjamin S. Schmidt (1884-1968)
Centerline, MI, c. 1930
9 1/2 in. long
The original owner of this pair was a foundry owner in Detroit who acquired the birds directly from the maker as gifts. In exchange, Schmidt was able to source the sugar pine used at the foundry for his decoy carvings.
Original paint with light wear and drake's bill is reset with glue residue visible.
Provenance: Private Collection, Detroit, gifted from the maker
Private Collection, by descent from the above
- TURNED-HEAD PINTAIL PAIRReggie Birch
TURNED-HEAD PINTAIL PAIRReggie Birch (b. 1953)
Chincoteague, VA, c. 2015
drake is 17 in. long
A pair of raised-wing pintails in highly animated postures. "R. Birch" is incised on the undersides of both carvings.
Original paint with minimal wear.
Provenance: Michael Boxer Collection
- FIVE MINIATURE SOUTHERN WATERFOWLReggie
FIVE MINIATURE SOUTHERN WATERFOWLReggie Birch (b. 1953)
Chincoteague, VA, c. 2010
reaching pintail is 7 1/2 in. long
Two pintail drakes, one pintail pair, and a wood duck drake. All but the smaller humpback pintail exhibit the maker's incised signature on the bottoms.
Original paint with light wear.
Provenance: Michael Boxer Collection
- MINIATURE SLEEPING PINTAIL PAIREd Snyder
MINIATURE SLEEPING PINTAIL PAIREd Snyder (1928-2011)
Rio Vista, CA, 1990
5 in. long
Both of these sleeping pintails bear the maker's signature and date on the underside.
Original paint with light wear.
Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired from the maker
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 291, related carving illustrated.
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 423, related carving illustrated.
- SLEEPING PINTAIL PAIREd Snyder (1928-2011)
Rio
SLEEPING PINTAIL PAIREd Snyder (1928-2011)
Rio Vista, CA, c. 1970
16 in. long
This hollow pair has fine painted feather detail and the maker's signature on the inlayed bottom boards.
Original paint with light wear.
Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired from the maker
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 291, related carvings illustrated.
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 420, related carvings illustrated.
- PINTAIL PAIRJohn B. Winter (1905-1981)
Burlingame,
PINTAIL PAIRJohn B. Winter (1905-1981)
Burlingame, CA, c. 1945
16 in. long
Winter made waterfowl decoys for his hunting in the Sacramento Valley. Balsa-bodied decoys, such as this pair, were carved from decommissioned military life rafts. His carvings are sometimes attributed to the Cleveland Wrecking Company; however, that was just his place of employment as the office manager.
Original paint with light gunning wear.
Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 191, rigmates illustrated.
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 376, related decoys illustrated.
- PINTAIL PAIRWright Decoy Company
Berkeley,
PINTAIL PAIRWright Decoy Company
Berkeley, CA, c. 1935
15 in. long
Linley A. Wright (1889-1946) was a machinist who ran a decoy manufacturing company from his home. The decoys were made using five pieces of redwood and were finished with energetic scratch feather painting. This published pair bears the Wright Company stamp on the undersides.
Original paint with even gunning wear.
Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 262, closely related carvings illustrated.
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 330, exact pair illustrated.
- PINTAIL PAIR"Fresh Air Dick" Janson
PINTAIL PAIR"Fresh Air Dick" Janson (1872-1951)
Sonoma, CA, c. 1930
17 in. long
Recognized as one of California’s greatest decoy carvers, Janson was also a commercial fisherman, a ship carpenter, and a professional hunter. Janson set the standard for California decoys over a forty-year career. He got his nickname, "Fresh Air," because he preferred to sleep on deck regardless of the weather while working on the “Star of Iceland,” a three-masted salmon fishing vessel. The hen has a "AM" stamp on the bottom.
Original paint, working touch-up mostly to white, and gunning wear. Hen has a neck crack.
Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 148, related carvings illustrated.
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 107, related carvings illustrated.
- PINTAIL PAIRLuigi Andreuccetti (1898-1978)
Vorden,
PINTAIL PAIRLuigi Andreuccetti (1898-1978)
Vorden, CA, 1948
17 1/2 in. long
In the "The Great Book of Waterfowl Decoys," the West Coast contributor Gerald Rosenthal introduces Andreuccetti as "the Sacramento stylist." In addition to being credited with minting a distinct style, the Italian-born carver scorned patterns, creating variety within his portfolio. According to “Wildfowl Decoys of California” author Michael Miller, the carver would hunt for pintails in cornfields under a full moon. His favorite hunting locale was Snodgrass Slough, where he hunted for most of his life.
A classic pair of Andreuccetti pintail made with his higher-grade balsa-on-board body construction and his signature textured surface. They have strong feather paint, incised wing detail, and the maker's signature and date on the undersides.
"He was a charming man who carved charming decoys." — Joe Engers, "The Great Book of Waterfowl Decoys"
Original paint with even gunning wear. Drake has spot of working touch-up to left shoulder and hen has scattered spots, mostly to shot holes.
Provenance: Jim Keegan Collection
Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection, acquired from the above
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, pp. 339 and 349, exact pair illustrated twice (captions do not match birds).
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, pp. 507-8, related decoys illustrated.
Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, pp. 271-273, maker discussed.
- PINTAIL PAIRLeo Tocchini (1904-1989)
Oakland,
PINTAIL PAIRLeo Tocchini (1904-1989)
Oakland, CA, c. 1950
17 in. long
Leo lived in Oakland, but enjoyed hunting on Suisun Marsh at the Rich Island Duck Club. An accomplished carver, Leo sold his decoys to fellow club members and other hunters. The weights on this pair are stamped "Pete-Forman."
Original paint with gunning wear, the drake has some repaint to grey and darkening to tail rub, and the hen has a reset neck.
Provenance: Pete Forman Rig
Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection
Literature: Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 322, related carvings illustrated.
- FEEDING PINTAIL PAIRHarold "Pappy" Kidwell
FEEDING PINTAIL PAIRHarold "Pappy" Kidwell (1895-1982)
Berkeley, CA, c. 1980
20 in. long
This well-documented pair of rare feeding pintails in two poses were made by one of California's more colorful characters, who eventually earned his name as the elder statesman among fellow gunners. "Pappy" was an intricate craftsman outfitting his well-oiled cork bodies with not only wooden heads, but also bill supports, wing tips, and tails. A testament to his thoroughness, these well-used decoys have worn soundly and were chosen for both of the West Coast decoy books.
Original paint with gunning wear, including some flaking around age lines in drake's neck.
Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection
Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, pp. 206 and 238, exact carvings illustrated.
Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 281, exact carvings illustrated.
- EARLY PINTAIL PAIRMark S. McNair (b.
EARLY PINTAIL PAIRMark S. McNair (b. 1950)
Craddockville, VA, c. 1980
drake is 21 in. long
This hollow pintail pair is incised "McNair" on the undersides. The drake has a long inlaid oak tail and fine vermiculation.
Original paint with light wear and drake has touch-up to a reset neck.
Provenance: Estate of Peter H. Tillou
- BATEMAN, Robert, (Canadian, 1930-):
BATEMAN, Robert, (Canadian, 1930-): ''Spring Marsh-Pintail Pair'', Offset Lithograph, sight size 19'' x 23'', pencil signed lower right and numbered 224/950 lower left, frame, 28.5''x 33.5''.