Featured Canada Goose Brings $810,000

I never understood how some bird decoys could be so expensive until i read this article in MAD yesterday, most of the better examples are in private collections. Article at the link.
https://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/canada-goose-brings-810000/7089

"Until 1912 when the sale of migratory birds was outlawed in Massachusetts, market gunners used live decoys, thereby decimating the population. When the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was signed into federal law in 1918, carved decoys became hot properties. Today record-breaking decoys at auction or private sale take flight from one private collection to another, usually at a higher price each time. Each bird is known; as in genealogy, each decoy’s ownership can be traced back over a century or more. All remain under careful stewardship until it’s time to enter the next collection."

 

I really enjoyed the article you referenced. I am a "minor league" collector of decoys and calls, so it was very interesting to me. Thanks for posting.

 

Thanks James, that was a great read, since I had not yet gotten to it!!!!!

 

Yeah, i thought it interesting as well, as i don't hunt i never realized that hunters used live birds as decoys prior to the federal ban which caused carved wood decoys to dominate & create a market for what really is Folk Art. The Feds actually stumbled into doing a good thing for a change, who knew?

 

Beautiful, James, thanks for showing us. I use to see old decoys in an Americana gallery here, but never of this quality.
Good to know more of the background as well.

 

Interesting read , and that pictured decoy is Beautiful !! .. Thanks James .. Joy.

 

Interesting that the carver is unknown, very American in a way, it's the same for the world record price on a single piece of american furniture, unknown who built it.

And, it's got a beautiful price tag as well!

 

Hand made fishing lures, kreels and reel cases can be works of art, too...

Thanks for this, @James Conrad!

 

That thing is huge! I wonder if was ever actually used? Likely to scare off a lot of wildlife...

Kind of like a scaregoose!

 

DH's brother was a serious collector and traveled far and wide collecting decoys and judging craving contests. He was founder of this, named after famous Maryland carver brothers:
https://www.wardmuseum.org/
When he passed away, his family decided to auction his collections. 4 auctions were held in different collecting areas. We were all amazed at the prices his collections brought, similar to the above article.
Patd

 

And that's not even an auction record for a decoy. A Merganser sold for $856,000 back in 2007.

 

Pretty bird, Yeah, that's a bunch, no doubt! These birds cross over into Folk Art at a certain level and the prices for outstanding examples certainly reflect that.

 

DH and I visited Maryland maybe 20 years ago, and the Ward Museum was a real highlight for us. They have an amazing collection!

 

As a waterfowler, I'm offended when people call these decoys

 

thanks for posting the article James, it was very interesting
so what do you think, maybe mine is worth a bunch, lol

 

Whoa, @cxgirl!
Did you just whip that up?

 

LOL, well, it could be, is that a duck wearing a spiked collar?

 

lol @scoutshouse Nope, I've had them (I have 8) for about 20 years, they came from the basement of a house that was being demolished.

 

too funny James, I didn't notice the collar. It is from a dog halloween costume, my daughter put it on the goose when her dog wouldn't wear it, probably about 10 years ago.

 

why terry5732?