By Bruce Urben, PresidentThis article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June Newsletter edition.
Many of you have been following the “Decoy Corner” articles in our newsletter over the last year or so based on the feedback we are receiving each month. The “Decoy Corner” highlights various factory or individual carvers and gives a brief history of their work, values and photos of their decoys.
Here is a chance for you to own a piece of that waterfowling history. A long-time WWA member was very gracious in donating a number of antique waterfowl decoys and shotshell boxes to help support the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Decoy Carving Contest and Exhibition taking place July 26-27th. Thanks to that generosity you now have the opportunity to begin or add on to your existing decoy collection!
L.L. Bean decoys, one of the many you can bid on to support WWA in Auctioneers, Inc.’s online decoy auction! Photo courtesy Auctioneers, Inc.
Auctioneers Inc., from Beulah, Michigan, is a leading dealer in antique and contemporary decoys. They have consigned these donated antique decoys and are having an online only Decoy and Sporting collectibles auction that will close on June 9th. WWA’s donated decoys will be auctioned in lot #’s 253-286 (page 6 in the auction catalog) and includes Mason, Victor, Carrylite, Jobes, Herters, Pratt, Hamlin and L.L. Bean decoys to name a few. Some are over 100 years old!
You can access the Auctioneers Inc. web page at http://www.miauctioneersinc.com. Click on the “auction” button on the very top of the page, then cursor down and click on the “June 9th online only auction” line. Just click on the “full catalog” button to see all the lots in the Auction (right now over 7 pages) or go directly to those whose sale will benefit WWA here.
Read the auction details and register to bid; it’s that easy. The website is secure and regulated. Online auction winners will receive electronic verification of their winning bids and will be contacted to arrange shipment of their decoys. Decoys will be shipped in several days. I have seen that the mailing costs are quite competitive and reasonable.
An Airduck General Fiber Bluebill Duck Pair currently up for auction. Photo courtesy Auctioneers, Inc.
I can’t thank our donor enough for their gracious and unselfish donation of decoys to support WWA.
If you have never participated in an online auction I know you will appreciate the thrill and anxiousness of bidding just like at a live auction. You can choose to be informed of any outbids on your items or watch the action day to day until it closes. Auctioneers Inc. does a very nice job in documenting each decoy with photos and a narrative explanation, so there is no question of provenance or carver.
Check it out before the auction closes on the 9th; we would appreciate your support and Good Luck!
In another show of support, WWA has also been blessed by donations of over 10 contemporary carved decoys from Wisconsin and several Midwest notable and accomplished carvers that will go up for auction later this summer. I can attest (I have held each in my hand) that these decoys are beautiful examples of working and decorative waterfowl carvings that would certainly grace any mantel or decoy spread.
Look for these to be auctioned by Auctioneers Inc. in their auction on August 3-4 (closing August 4th). This online catalog will be out shortly after June 9th and will include online, phone and in-person bidding on August 4th when those lots close. Another chance to own a Moak, Nelow, Gregory, Koelpin, Guth or Pierce decoy! A number of these carvers have won awards in the World Championships and these are certainly valuable collectibles. You will also see one carved by your President (me)! More information to follow on this auction in the August newsletter. We hope you will be interested and able to support this important fundraiser.