A Decoy Corner Article
By Bruce Urben, President
Herman Wendt Blue Wing Teal
Herman Wendt was born in 1888 and grew up in the family home on North 10th Street in Sheboygan, WI. He was the oldest child in the family, with two brothers and one sister. Herman and his two brothers (Paul and Art) worked for a local stonemason in Sheboygan for most of their lives. Herman’s true love, however, was duck hunting.
Herman hunted just north of Sheboygan, where the Pigeon River empties into Lake Michigan. He started carving his own decoys as a teenager and never quit. As he got older, he was the leader of six or so men who founded a duck shack near the mouth of the Pigeon River. They were known by the locals as the “Pigeon River Gang”. Back in the early 1900’s this area of the Pigeon was a stopover area for thousands of ducks migrating south. As you would expect, many decoys were needed to hunt these migrators and Herman made nearly all of them.
Wendt Hooded Mergansers
Herman carved many different species of decoys, which attests to the fact that he spent countless hours in the off-season studying the wild birds and their habits. It is known that Herman carved mallards, widgeon, black ducks, pintail, bluebill, canvasbacks, merganser and teal decoys. He also carved a number of shoveler, Canadian geese and even a blue goose… species rarely, if ever, seen in that part of Wisconsin at the time.
Herman’s early decoys were carved from cedar and he later switched to use cork bodies with wood bottom boards and pine heads. He carved working decoys through the 1940’s and then began carving miniatures in the 1950’s that he gifted or sold for $1-$2. Herman’s style would be considered “folksy”, but carried the pure essence of each species. His paint style was simple, many with vivid colors.
Wendt Mallards
Herman was a bachelor his entire life and lived in Sheboygan from birth until he passed away in 1955 at the age of 67.
Herman’s decoys are highly sought after by Wisconsin collectors. His miniatures have sold for hundreds of dollars and recently several of his working decoys have sold for $500-$900. His rare species (spoonbills and geese) command a higher value.
Wendt Clown Finish Decoys
Herman Wendt was a passionate duck hunter, an expert decoy carver and a folk artist. A true Wisconsin original. If you are fortunate enough to have a Wendt in your collection, I can assure you it is in well used condition!