Duck decoys have been used by hunters for centuries to attract live ducks for hunting. While most decoys are mass-produced and have little value, some vintage hand-carved decoys are highly sought after by collectors and can sell for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. So what makes a duck decoy so valuable, and which ones have fetched the highest prices?
Why are some vintage duck decoys so valuable?
There are a few factors that make certain vintage duck decoys extremely valuable to collectors:
- Hand carved and painted – Decoys that were carefully hand carved and painted by skilled artisans are more desirable than mass-produced factory decoys.
- Age – Older decoys from the late 19th or early 20th century are scarcer and more collectible than more modern ones.
- Artist/carver reputation – Decoys by renowned folk artists or carvers like A. Elmer Crowell fetch higher prices.
- Provenance – Having a detailed history of the decoy’s ownership from the carver to present adds value.
- Condition – Decoys in excellent original or restored condition are worth more than damaged or repainted ones.
- Species – Certain species like canvasback or redhead ducks are more sought after.
- Rarity – Decoys that were produced in more limited numbers are harder to find.
The combination of age, condition, carver reputation, and scarcity sends the value of some vintage duck decoys soaring. Top collectors are willing to pay top dollar for rare pieces in pristine condition by famous folk artists.
What is the most expensive duck decoy ever sold?
The current record for the most expensive duck decoy ever sold at auction is held by a pintail drake decoy carved by A. Elmer Crowell of East Harwich, MA around 1910.
This exceptional example of Crowell’s craftsmanship sold for $856,000 at a 2019 auction held by Guyette & Deeter Auctions. The decoy was in perfect original condition and featured Crowell’s classic blended style of working from both live birds and photographs.
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) is considered one of the finest and most influential decoy carvers of the 20th century. His decoys are highly sought after by collectors and routinely fetch five to six-figure prices at auction.
Other High Value Duck Decoys
While the $856,000 Crowell pintail holds the record, there are a number of other duck decoys that have sold for impressive sums exceeding $100,000:
- Crowell preening black duck – Sold for $856,000 in 2019
- Crowell feeding yellowlegs – Sold for $684,500 in 2008
- Crowell curlew – Sold for $497,000 in 2019
- Crowell green-winged teal – Sold for $450,000 in 2021
- Mason Factory Grade Challenge grade black duck – Sold for $431,000 in 2019
- Crowell widgeon drake – Sold for $369,000 in 2008
- Crowell Canada goose – Sold for $333,500 in 2006
- Mason Premier grade black duck – Sold for $305,500 in 2008
Some other notable carvers like Joe Lincoln, Lathrop Holmes, and the Ward brothers have also produced duck decoys that have sold for over $200,000.
Notable Duck Decoy Collections
Some of the top duck decoy collections to be sold at auction include:
- Adele Earnest – The 2000 auction of folk art collector Adele Earnest’s decoy collection totaled over $10 million in sales. It included the Crowell preening black duck that sold for $856,000.
- Stuart Symington – Over $7 million was spent on the Symington collection in 1985, including a world record $319,000 for a Crowell preening Canada goose.
- Stephen O’Brien Jr – The 2007 O’Brien auction set over 20 world record decoy prices, including $684,500 for the Crowell feeding yellowlegs.
- Bunny and Archie Dexter – Groundbreaking 1967 auction that helped establish decoys as important American folk art.
As wealthy collectors have bid up prime examples at major auctions, more duck decoys have entered the realm of high-end artworks worthy of investment.
Trends in Duck Decoy Values
The value of collectible duck decoys has risen enormously since the 1960s and shows no signs of slowing. Here are some notable trends influencing values:
- Rising wealth – As more high net worth individuals pursue duck decoys, demand continues to drive record prices.
- Auction houses – Specialist auction houses like Guyette & Deeter have contributed to higher prices by reaching a global audience.
- Scarcity – The finite number of vintage decoys ensures supply cannot meet demand.
- Condition premium – Mint condition examples in all categories command exponentially higher prices than poor condition or amateur repainted decoys.
- Artist reputations – Certain carvers like Crowell and Mason have reputations that bolster values.
- Provenance – Rock solid history of ownership and documentation supports premium prices.
In the right conditions, it’s possible even everyday hunting decoys can become worthy of rarified air. A surfaced hen shoveler decoy by Illinois carver Charles “Shang” Wheeler sold for over $150,000 in 2021, despite Wheeler being relatively unknown.
Conclusion
With its record $856,000 sale price, the pristine Crowell pintail drake currently holds the undisputed title of the most valuable duck decoy ever sold. However, with the continued growth of the high end decoy market, it’s possible an even more exceptional hand carved vintage decoy could eclipse that benchmark one day.
The skyrocketing value of decoys by pioneering American carvers like Crowell, Mason, Lincoln, and others reflects their importance as true folk art. Their handcrafted creations have come to be appreciated as much for their artistic merit as their hunting function, and now rival other collectible American antiques.
For collectors with the passion and resources to acquire the finest specimens, the search continues for that perfect decoy that will be tomorrow’s record setter. With decoys taking their place among great historical American artworks, their value as cultural touchstones continues to increase.
