What Makes Duck Decoys Valuable? A Price Guide for Collectors

What are duck decoys, and how did they become sought-after collectibles? Long before English colonists arrived in America, Native Americans used natural materials like mud and carcasses to conjure up bird and other animal decoys for hunting. Later, colonists began to emulate and build upon this hunting tactic.

From the mid-19th century through the early-20th century, the use of painted, wooden, hollow or solid shorebird, goose, and duck decoys came into fashion among bird hunters. While no longer used today due to advances in decoy materials and technology, these wooden duck decoys are now considered highly collectible, with entire auction houses dedicated to the buying and selling of vintage duck decoys, magnificent works of folk art.

How Duck Decoys Became Collectibles

Duck decoys weren’t seen as collectors’ items until the mid-20th century, says Gary Guyette of Guyette & Deeter, who has sold decoys since 1984 and has since become a major player in the market for antique duck decoys. The market first started with small, niche groups of enthusiasts throughout the United States in the 1950s and ‘60s who began collecting antique duck decoys. When Hal Sorenson of Burlington, Iowa published a magazine called “The Decoy Collector’s Guide,” everything started to change.

“All of a sudden, because of this magazine, people all over the country started to realize that there were others out there who collected these duck decoys,” says Guyette. “That started a movement of communication among collectors and people were sending information about decoys and carvers their region. Soon enough, decoy shows around the country started popping up.”

The First-Ever Auction

In the late 1960s, auctioneer Richard Borne began holding auctions in Hyannis, Massachusetts dedicated to duck decoys; an unprecedented move in the market. Guyette notes that once Borne was commissioned to sell the estate of William J. Mackey, the most important decoy collector of the time, masses began flocking to the auctions. One duck decoy at that auction sold for $10,000, which was unheard of at the time. This captured the media’s attention, and soon after, prices began to rise. Guyette explains that in the early 1980s, “decoys were selling for $20,000 and up.”

Shift in the Collector Profile

In 1986, Guyette & Deeter sold a decoy for $190,000, and two subsequent auctions at other houses yielded record price results of $206,000 and $319,000. According to Guyette, booming prices were largely due to a shift in the collector profile: in the beginning, collectors were wealthier sport hunters like attorneys and doctors. In the mid-1980s, businessmen and women started showing interest, too. “All of a sudden, people who were worth hundreds of millions of dollars, not just a couple million, were going after decoys. That pushed the price structure up dramatically,” Guyette explains.

He notes that today, while some folk art collectors buy duck decoys, most collectors tend to be sport hunters who attend auctions and events for both their united collecting passion and the camaraderie that goes along with it. “Year after year, people come to the auctions to see friends. [The auctions] turn into enjoyable events in addition to a business,” says Guyette. “That’s one of the things that drives the market – decoys tend to be independent of other antiques. In 2004, 2005, and 2007, decoys were going up in value, even when the housing market was falling apart, whereas antiques were not.”

Today’s Market for Duck Decoys

In 2000, in a joint sale with Sotheby’s, Guyette & Deeter sold a decoy for $684,000. Just three years later, in Guyette & Deeter’s own sale, a duck decoy sold for $803,000, and another example for $830,000 in 2006. To date, the record price for a decoy is $856,000, sold in 2007 by Guyette & Deeter in a joint auction with Christie’s. Due to the economic downturn in 2008, prices have adjusted with the market, but have been slowly on the rise in recent years. 

What Makes a Duck Decoy Valuable?

But birds of a wooden feather don’t always flock together. “It’s hard to predict what a decoy will sell for today – so many factors determine their price,” Guyette explains. First, prices range by maker. They also range by region – New England, Long Island, New Jersey, North Carolina, and more areas have specific decoy types and collectors.

Then, there are different species of decoys – shorebirds, duck, geese, and more. Shorebirds are more scarce because this type of hunting was outlawed in 1928, so they tend to go for higher prices. But, says Guyette, most people collect antique duck and goose decoys.

Factors that determine duck decoy value:

1. Maker
2. Region
3. Decoy species
4. Condition
5. Scarcity
6. Strength of maker attribution
7. Size

Condition

In addition to maker and region, there’s also form and condition to consider. “The reason valuable decoys are so valuable is because 90 percent of them were repainted or had their heads broken off, so the ones that are left in good condition are the best ones and go for high prices.” According to Guyette, most of the decoys he sees in appraisals are worth about $100.

The more expensive hand-carved wooden duck decoys were sold by Elmer Crowell, but these came in different grades and species. “There’s a wide range of prices within the same maker category. You can buy an original Elmer Crowell black duck in great condition for $2,500. We also sold a Mason Factory wood duck, the rarest species, in the highest grade for around $650,000. There are big variations depending on maker and type of decoy,” notes Guyette. And, he adds, whether or not a decoy is factory or handmade doesn’t necessarily make a difference in price.

Antique Duck Decoys Value

Fair market value for duck decoys can vary depending on what material emerges on the market, the state of the economy, new buyers showing interest in a specific region, or others retiring from collecting. Below, explore seven of the most sought-after decoy carvers for a better sense of what duck and shorebird decoys sell for in the market.

William Bowman

Image 1:  William Bowman Carved and Painted Greater Yellowlegs
Christie’s, London, United Kingdom (January 2007)
Estimate: $65,000 – $85,000
Price Realized: $78,000

Image 2:  William Bowman Greater Yellowlegs
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2012)
Estimate: $35,000 – $45,000
Price Realized: $25,000

Image 3:  William Bowman Dowitcher
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2016)
Estimate: $16,000 – $20,000
Price Realized: $17,500

Image 4:  William Bowman Hollow Carved Brant
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2014)
Estimate: $9,500 – $12,500
Price Realized: $11,000

Image 5:  William Bowman Pintail Drake
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (April 2015)
Estimate: $2,500 – $3,500
Price Realized: $4,000

Image 6: William Bowman Greater Yellowlegs
Pook & Pook, Downingtown, PA (April 2010)
Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500
Price Realized: $468

Image 7:  William Bowman Redhead
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2008)
Estimate: Unavailable
Price Realized: $300

Image 8: William Bowman Black Duck
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2013)
Estimate: $500 -$800
Price Realized: $200

Elmer Crowell

Image 1:  Elmer Crowell Canvasback Hen
Christie’s, London, United Kingdom (January 2008)
Estimate: $75,000 – $95,000
Price Realized: $79,000

Image 2: Elmer Crowell Sleeping Black Duck
Christie’s, London, United Kingdom (January 2006)
Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Price Realized: $19,200

Image 3: Elmer Crowell Wood Duck Drake
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2017)
Estimate: $10,000 – $14,000
Price Realized: $16,000

Image 4: Elmer Crowell Canvasback Drake
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2015)
Estimate: $4,000 – $5,000
Price Realized: $5,000

Image 5: Elmer Crowell Bluebill Hen
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2016)
Estimate: $3,500 – $4,500
Price Realized: $4,025

Image 6: Elmer Crowell Black Duck
Eldred’s, East Dennis, MA (August 2017)
Estimate: $3,000 – $3,500
Price Realized: $3,360

Image 7: Elmer Crowell Black Duck
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2017)
Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000
Price Realized: $1,500

Image 8: Elmer Crowell Duck Decoy
Stair Galleries, Hudson, NY (March 2011)
Estimate: $800 – $1,200
Price Realized: $920

John Dilley

Image 1: John Dilley Ruddy Turnstone
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (August 2013)
Estimate: $80,000 – $100,000
Price Realized: $85,000

Image 2: John Dilley Greater Yellowlegs
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (February 2017)
Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000
Price Realized: $35,000

Image 3: John Dilley Golden Plover in Fall Plumage
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2016)
Estimate: $12,500 – $17,500
Price Realized: $8,000

Image 4: John Dilley Robin Snipe in Spring Plumage
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2015)
Estimate: $10,000 – $14,000
Price Realized: $7,500

Image 5: John Dilley Dowitcher in Winter Plumage
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2015)
Estimate: $3,500 – $4,500
Price Realized: $2,000

Image 6: John Dilley Black Bellied Plover
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2017)
Estimate: $1,500 – $2,000
Price Realized: $1,500

Image 7: John Dilley Cork Ruddy Turnstone
Eldred’s, East Dennis, MA (August 2017)
Estimate: $1,200 – $1,800
Price Realized: $1,320

Image 8: John Dilley Plover Shorebird
Pook & Pook, Downingtown, PA (April 2010)
Estimate: $300 – $500
Price Realized: $293

Joseph Lincoln

Image 1: Joseph Lincoln Widgeon Drake
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2014)
Estimate: $65,000 – $75,000
Price Realized: $97,750

Image 2: Joseph Lincoln Oldsquaw Hen
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2015)
Estimate: $65,000 – $75,000
Price Realized: $65,000

Image 3: Joseph Lincoln Hollow Carved Plover in Transitional Plumage
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2017)
Estimate: $6,000 – $9,000
Price Realized: $4,500

Image 4: Joseph Lincoln Miniature Canada Goose
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2014)
Estimate: $3,000 – $4,500
Price Realized: $3,450

Image 5: Joseph Lincoln Red Breasted Merganser Drake
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2017)
Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000
Price Realized: $1,450

Image 6: Joseph Lincoln Canvas Over Wood Slat Goose
Grogan & Co., Boston, MA (August 2014)
Estimate: $500 – $700
Price Realized: $1,200

Image 7: Joseph Lincoln Bluebill Hen
Eldred’s, East Dennis, MA (November 2017)
Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500
Price Realized: $1,000

Image 8: Joseph Lincoln Black Duck
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (April 2018)
Estimate: $650 – $950
Price Realized: $300

Obediah Verity

Image 1: Obediah Verity Black Bellied Plover
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2015)
Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000
Price Realized: $30,000

Image 2: Obediah Verity Robin Snipe in Spring Plumage
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (April 2017)
Estimate: $15,000 – $18,000
Price Realized: $18,000

Image 3: Obediah Verity Black Bellied Plover
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2014)
Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500
Price Realized: $13,800

Image 4: Obediah Verity Tern
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2015)
Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000
Price Realized: $11,500

Image 5: Obediah Verity Curlew
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2014)
Estimate: $7,500 – $15,000
Price Realized: $6,612

Image 6: Obediah Verity Running Sandpiper
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2017)
Estimate: $3,000 – $4,000
Price Realized: $3,800

Image 7: Obediah Verity Greenwing Teal Hen
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2013)
Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Price Realized: $1,250

Image 8: Obediah Verity Bluebill Hen
Eldred’s, East Dennis, MA (April 2008)
Estimate: $400 – $600
Price Realized: $218

Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler

Image 1: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Sleeping Bluebill Drake
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (August 2013)
Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000
Price Realized: $42,000

Image 2: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Pair of Redheads
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (November 2015)
Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000
Price Realized: $27,500

Image 3: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Canvasback Drake
Eldred’s, East Dennis, MA (August 2010)
Estimate: $6,000 – $9,000
Price Realized: $25,300

Image 4: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Carved Cedar Brant
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (April 2016)
Estimate: $10,000 – $14,000
Price Realized: $20,000

Image 5: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Hollow Carved Black Duck
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2016)
Estimate: $6,000 – $9,000
Price Realized: $8,500

Image 6: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Preening Back-Bellied Plover
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2009)
Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000
Price Realized: $6,500

Image 7: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Sleeping Black Duck
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2012)
Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000
Price Realized: $3,000

Image 8: Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler Black Duck Working
Brunk Auctions, Asheville, NC (September 2013)
Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Price Realized: $1,770

Augustus “Gus” Wilson

Image 1: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Monhegan Island Style Breast Preening Scoter
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (April 2015)
Estimate: $55,000 – $75,000
Price Realized: $60,000

Image 2: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Feeding Rocking Head Black Duck with Mussel in Mouth
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2016)
Estimate: $12,500 – $17,500
Price Realized: $10,000

Image 3: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Black Duck
Christie’s, London, United Kingdom (October 2007)
Estimate: $7,000 – $10,000
Price Realized: $5,000

Image 4: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Rocking Head Black Duck
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2016)
Estimate: $4,500 – $6,500
Price Realized: $4,312.5

Image 5: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Black Duck
Decoys Unlimited, West Barnstable, MA (July 2012)
Estimate: $3,500 – $4,500
Price Realized: $4,000

Image 6: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Flying Wood Drake
Guyette & Deeter, St. Michaels, MD (July 2017)
Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Price Realized: $1,800

Image 7: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Carved Hooded Black Duck
James D. Julia, Fairfield, ME (August 2006)
Estimate: $1,750 – $2,750
Price Realized: $1,725

Image 8: Augustus “Gus” Wilson Surf Scooter
James D. Julia, Fairfield, ME (August 2015)
Estimate: $2,000 – $4,000
Price Realized: $888

Other popular decoy carvers include: George Boyd, Albert Laing, Harry V. Shourds, John Blair Sr., Ward Brothers, Ira Hudson, Nathan Cobb Jr., Lee Dudley, Charles Perdew, Mason Factory, Charles Schoenheider Sr., Robert Elliston, and Charles Bergman.

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