A few examples of appraisal values for
WARD DECOYS

• "WHITE MALLARD CLUB" PINCH-BREAST PINTAILThe
  "WHITE MALLARD CLUB" PINCH-BREAST PINTAILThe Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1932 18 3/4 in. long “The Ward Brothers made pintails early on in their craft and they were made in a variety of designs and forms… There is no finer work done in decoys than that which is exhibited in the 1932 Pinched Breast Pintails, or the 1936 Classic Pintails.” — Ronald Gard and Brian McGrath, "Ward Brothers’ Decoys", 1989 The Ward Brothers captured the likeness of species in their carvings as well as any decoy makers in history, and their White Mallard Gun Club rig of pinch-breast pintails are among their pinnacle works. A rigmate is featured as the cover lot of Session IV of the "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey." In the catalog, it was described as "one of the finest and best preserved examples of the Ward Brothers...one of the best Ward decoys ever made." Famed singer Andy Williams excited auction goers with his acquisition of that bird. Decoys from this rig were hunted on the White Mallard Club’s freshwater marshes of the Butte Sink in California’s Sacramento Valley. In describing the White Mallard birds, Ward authorities Gard and McGrath state, “The design is considered the best in Ward pintails…” and further note that “the pintail was Lem Ward’s favorite bird and he shows this preference in the painting of his pintails.” Indeed, the lively and textured stippling on the sides and back of the drake is as good as seen on any decoy. The authors point out that “These decoys were originally bought from Abercrombie and Fitch,” which helps to explain not only their refinement, but their transcontinental journey as well. This rare and distinctive style is associated with the 1932 model-year, and is obviously named for an eponymous feature of Steve Ward’s articulated form. This decoy displays all of the qualities that have made this rig the Ward’s most sought after. More subtle details include the S-curve of the sharp ridge running from the tip of the tail to the hump in the back, and the high, turned head finished with a pronounced crown. Along with the O’Brien pinch-breast pintails which set the world record for any Ward lot at auction and the Mackey-Williams pair, this Keegan Collection decoy with its slightly turned head sits at the apex of the Ward portfolio. Marking the rig, the underside bears the White Mallard’s horseshoe-shape weight imprint. Excellent original paint with even gunning wear, some touch-up to reset neck and to the fastener hole on the back of the head. Minor rub to tip of tail. Provenance: White Mallard Gun Club, Butte Sink, California Jim Keegan Collection Thomas M. Evans Jr. Collection Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Rare American Decoys & Bird Carvings," Hyannis, MA, August 1986, cover and lot 39, Andy Williams rigmate pair illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys From the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, Session IV, October 20, 1973, front cover and lot 283, Williams drake rigmate illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "Ward Brothers’ Decoys: A Collector’s Guide," Wolf City, TX, 1989, pp. 57-63, Williams rigmate pair illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 203, Ward brothers discussed. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions III," Plymouth, MA, July 19, 2018, lot 33, rigmate pair illustrated.
• EARLY HUMPBACK BLACK DUCKThe Ward Brothers Lemuel
  EARLY HUMPBACK BLACK DUCKThe Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1921 17 in. long “Stephen W. Ward (1895-1976) and his brother Lemuel Travis Ward (1896-1984) of Crisfield, Maryland were by far the most prominent Chesapeake Bay carvers of the twentieth century and among the greatest and most influential bird carvers of all time. The brothers worked closely together throughout their lives, combining the complementary talents of Steve’s hand carving and Lem’s brushwork to create works of extraordinary grace and realism.” -— Robert Shaw, “Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History, and Art” Decoy author and historian Henry Fleckenstein stated, “When one thinks of Crisfield decoys, flat bottomed birds, wide at the hips and narrow breasted, come to mind. Almost all were made solid and slightly oversized, because a lot of the hunting in the Tangier Sound area is done on big open water.” This early low-head black duck is the manifestation of Fleckenstein's brief summary. That said, this decoy pushed far beyond the Crisfield archetype. The brothers, just in their mid-twenties at the time, demonstrate here how they would innovate with exaggeration and animation all while raising the quality standards of the region. This specific model with its extreme humped back, flared paddle tail, and very low and turned head with an expressive upswept bill, is distinct from any models known to predate it. The surface is finished with Lem’s confident scratch feather paint. The underside is signed in pen “Lem Ward -1921-.” Very few of this celebrated model were made as the Wards evolved their patterns constantly in the decades to come. Fewer of these humpbacked black ducks survive today and only a very small number with good original paint have come to light. One of this decoy’s only comparables set a world record in 1985 for any Ward decoy when it was purchased by a prominent Midwestern collector. Discussing that bird in his Ward book, Ron Gard conveys, "This exquisite black duck is one of the best Ward decoys known." This lot, along with the aforementioned decoy, are believed to be the finest early Crisfield black ducks. The rarity, surface, condition, and history of this sculpture place it among the region’s greatest waterfowl. Original paint with light gunning wear, including a chip to right tip of bill, and a tight age line by neck seam. Provenance: Larry Lambert Collection Ronald Gard Collection Kangas Collection of International Folk Art and Decoys Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "Decoys of the Mid-Atlantic Region," Exton, PA, 1979, p. 176, exact decoy illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, pp. 72 and 77, related decoys illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," Lewes, DE, 1990, p. 314, exact decoy listed. Linda and Gene Kangas, "Decoys," Paducah, KY, 1992, p. 114, pl. 166, related example illustrated.