Record shattering auction realizes over $3 million
Due to the COVID-19 situation we conducted our annual spring decoy and sporting art auction remotely this year, on May 29 & 30. The auction was held with phone, absentee, and online bidding only, there was no audience present. 14 phone lines were available, as well as online bidding through three different platforms – Invaluable, Bidsquare, and LiveAuctioneers. Bid calling was done by James D. Julia.
Despite the unusual circumstances, the sale exceeded expectations, realizing just over $3 million and setting 28 world auction records for makers, with a sell through rate of 98.9 percent. The excitement started from the very first lot when a pair of shovelers from the Mason Decoy Factory sold over estimate at $56,400. Prices were extremely strong throughout with many lots selling for well over estimate. The top lot in the sale was a swan by Charles Birch that sold for $132,000. The sale was highlighted by the first selection of decoys by the Dr. Lloyd T. Griffith collection, which included a Nathan Cobb, Jr. robin snipe selling for $90,000 and a teal by A.B. Vance selling for $64,800. Prices for sporting art, fish decoys, and duck calls were also very strong, setting many auction records.
We are now taking consignments for our August 18 & 19, 2020 auction to be held at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A 50 table dealer show will be at the same location. Contact the Sheraton at 603-431-2300 for discounted room rates. The consignment deadline for the August sale is June 25th. To discuss decoys in this auction or to consign to future auctions, contact Gary at 410-745-0485 or Jon at 440-610-1768.

Swan, Charles Birch

Mallard, Ferd Homme
World auction record for maker

Greenwing teal, A.B. Vance
World auction record for maker

Pair of shovelers, Mason Decoy Factory

Oil on canvas, Edmund Osthaus. 22" x 36"

Turned head yellowles from Assateague, VA

Mallard hen, Charles Perdew

Golden plover from the Webster rig

Yellowlegs, William Bowman

Sandhill cranes, Danz Manufacturing Company
World auction record for maker

Mallard, Charles Walker

Bluewing teal, Harvey Stevens

Mallard, Hays Finkle
World auction record for maker

Black duck, Albert Laing

Pair of bluewing teal, Mason Decoy Factory

Goldeneye, Ward Brothers

Rangely Lakes guide boat salesman sample

Redhead, Robert Elliston

Sunfish birdhouse, John Tax

Black bellied plover, Elmer Crowell

Peep, Dave "Umbrella" Watson

Yellowlegs, Elmer Crowell

Oil on canvas, Lynn Bogue Hunt. 21" x 15

Duck call, James Beckhart

Yelper turkey call, Tom Turpin
World auction record for maker

Duck call, Warner Wiles
World auction record for maker

Duck call, Doc Taylor
World auction record for maker

Duck call, Tiff Roseberry, Sr.
World auction record for maker

Duck call, John Morrow
World auction record for maker

Duck call, G.D. Kinney
World auction record for maker

Black bellied plover from Virginia

Canvasback, Gus Moak

Teal, Mason Decoy Factory

Yellowlegs, Charles Clark

Pintail, Robert Elliston

Decorative shovelers, Oliver Lawson

Oil on canvas, John Seerey Lester. 24" x 38"

Canvasback hen and drake, John R. Wells

Oil on canvas, James Brade Sword. 17.5" x 29.5"

Black duck and ducklings, Tom Schroeder

Swan, Madison Mitchell
World auction record for maker

Canvasback, Danny Scrivens
World auction record for maker

Pair of pintails, Scott Young
World auction record for maker

Pintail, George Morrell
World auction record for maker

Pintail hen, Eddie Granier
World auction record for maker

Robin snipe, Nathan Cobb, Jr.

Old squaw, Mason Decoy Factory

Pair of mallards, Harvey Stevens

Black duck, Nathan Cobb, Jr.

Plover, Nathan Cobb, Jr.

Pintail, Charles Walker

Pintail, John Blair, Jr.

Bluebill, Arthur Cobb

Mallard hen, Charles Walker

Watercolor, Ogden Pleissner. 18" x 28"

"Incentive" model of a Kennebec canoe

Canvasback, Ferdinand Bach

Curlew, Alma Fitchett
World auction record for maker

Pair of canvasbacks, John Schweikart

Oil on canvas, Sir Peter Scott. 24.75" x 35.75"

Canvasback, Ward Brothers

Canada goose, David Ward

Yellowlegs, William Southard

Golden plover, Elmer Crowell

Fish decoy, Hans Janner

Fish decoy, Andy Trombley
World auction record for maker

Fish decoy, Jim Kelson
World auction record for maker

Fish decoy, Abe DeHate
World auction record for maker

Fish decoy, Dan Vandenbosche
World auction record for maker

Fish decoy, Frank Kuss

Whimbrel from the Matthews rig

Pintail, Bert Graves

Pair of redheads, Ivar Fernlund

Pair of pintails, Sidney Foret
World auction record for maker

Pair of mallards, Alfred Hebert
World auction record for maker

Canvasback, Joseph Kempinger
World auction record for maker

Goldeneye, Ward Brothers

Pair of canvasbacks, Gus Moak

Black bellied plover, Daniel Demott

Pair of bluewing teal, William Finch

Swan from the Princess Anne Club

Eskimo curlew, Alonzo Foster

Mallard drake, Harry Mitchell Shourds

Canada goose, Dan Voorhees

Canada goose, Mason Decoy Factory

Pair of bluebills, Jim Schmiedlin

Pair of bluebills, Owen Gromme

Pair of canvasbacks, Jim Schmiedlin

Bluebill, William Pepper
World auction record for maker

Bluebill, Arthur Cantrall
World auction record for maker

Pair of wood ducks, Pete Peterson
World auction record for maker

Wood duck, William Gibian
World auction record for maker

Semi palmated plovers, Jack Franco
World auction record for maker