| A duck decoy has been used for thousands of | | | | - Walter Avis circa 1925 Vintage redhead duck |
| years all over the world to draw duck into the | | | | decoy from Toronto, Canada. |
| area, giving the hunter a chance at a trophy or | | | | - Circa 1920 - 1930 Benjamin Schmidt oversized |
| two. In recent years though, antique duck decoys | | | | blackduck decoy. |
| have become a valuable collector's item. While | | | | For those interested in collecting vintage duck |
| there are many replicas on the market, it's | | | | decoys, the collector must be weary of clever |
| important to be able to tell the difference | | | | reproductions; many are so good they are able to |
| between an authentic one, and a replication. | | | | fool collectors. Vintage decoys have solid color |
| The Smithsonian Institution houses the greatest | | | | patters, whereas modern interpretations have real |
| number of North American duck decoys, with the | | | | looking feather detailing. Many of the old decoys |
| most being found in a cave in Arizona. The | | | | have eyes made of metal tacks, or ones that |
| traditional, hand carved, wooden decoy was made | | | | were carved and hand painted; glass eyes are |
| primarily from the 10th century through to the | | | | often used on later decoys. Because vintage |
| mid twentieth. The vintage duck decoy is both a | | | | decoys were carved by hand using a rasp, |
| desirable collector's item for the duck hunter, and | | | | drawknife, and hand ax, be sure to look for tool |
| are considered beautiful works of art and used | | | | marks on the decoy. By the mid 1850's hollow |
| for decorative purposes in many country homes. | | | | decoys were carved made up of three separate |
| Many are found at antique shops and collectibles | | | | sections. |
| stores. Some vintage duck decoys sought by | | | | Also used were metal and wood silhouettes |
| collectors are: | | | | known as stick-ups and shadow decoys. Looking |
| - 1900 vintage duck hunting decoy by Charles | | | | for the maker's name on the keel weight is also a |
| Birch of a mallard duck. | | | | good indication of a vintage decoy. Also, after the |
| - Circa 1890 goldeneye Harry Shourds vintage | | | | Civil War, the decoy's tail and beak were carved |
| duck hunting decoy from the Tuckerton, New | | | | and the body made of cork. With these few tips |
| Jersey area. | | | | in mind a collector can be on the lookout for |
| - Circa 1875 Dodge mallard drake vintage duck | | | | quality vintage duck decoys to start a collection. |
| hunting decoy by J. N. Dodge. | | | | |