A Decoy Corner Article
By Bruce Urben, President
Life Like Decoys were the creation of Clare V. Wells and his wife, Hazel. Clare was injured in an industrial accident in the late 1930’s and turned his interest in duck hunting into a decoy carving business. C.V. Wells was in operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. from 1939 through 1949. Their business folded up when plastic decoys were taking the place of wood and cork models. Their decoys were primarily canvas covered, cork decoys.
C. V. Wells decoy showing the ink stamp on the bottom
The shape of Wells’ decoys are unmistakable and very unique. Most decoys can be identified by an ink stamp on the bottom of the decoy. All of their decoys had very stylish wood-carved heads on cork bodies. Most, if not all, of Wells’ decoys were hand painted by Hazel. She used a very heavy application of paint and applied it in swirls to simulate feathers. Canvas covered the cork bodies. Their early decoys can be identified by tacks holding the canvas tight on the bottom board of the decoy. Later models were produced by gluing the canvas on the cork with waterproof glue.
Wells produced mallard, black duck, bluebill, canvasbacks, redhead, coot, blue wing teal and Canada goose decoys. One of the rarest Wells decoys is a flying canvasback decoy!
Wells decoys are moderately priced on the secondary market for 90-year-old decoys, and are sought after by Wisconsin factory decoy collectors. Decoy auctions in the last year have averaged $300-500 for decoys in pristine condition. Many Wells decoys can still be found at antique shops, local auctions and flea markets.
C.V. Wells Canvasback
Clare V. Wells Life Like Decoys served the purpose in the 1940’s for inexpensive and lightweight waterfowling decoys! Another Wisconsin Original Factory decoy maker and an important part of Wisconsin’s waterfowling heritage.