Burlapped Herters

[Eric Johnson]

Looking for any info and possible value of these Herters burlapped decoys
I purchased these I believe back in the early 90's and recently pulled them out of storage.
I don't believe i ever hunted with the Mallards but they were rigged to use. Brant and Canadas might have some use
Storage marks and a couple of them have somewhat worn tails
Any info from members much more knowledegable than me on Herters decoys would be much appreciated
Thanks All

 

[Steve Sanford]

Eric~

I have hunted over Herter's decoys for much of my life - beginning with the early balsa-bodied birds (Model Canada ducks and Model Supreme geese) to the foam-bodied (Durlon is Herter's proprietary name) birds (Model 63 and 72 ducks, Model 81 Brant and geese, Model 92 geese). They were among the best-looking decoys of their era - but the foam bodies are inherently subject to excessive wear. So, protecting the bodies with burlap was a major improvement.
As you mentioned, even factory-burlapped birds like yours are vulnerable at the tail.

I regularly follow Herter's decoys on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and at shows. Of course, asking prices vary wildly. Reasonable prices seem to float between $20 and $40 per bird - but with dramatic markdowns for batch sales. Most of the Model 63s I have purchased in recent years have been around $10 each. I have bought just a few Model 72s (very good condition) for about $20 each.

Here are some other thoughts:

Brant: I think the Model 81 Brant is as good as any Brant decoy on the market. However, the all-Black factory paint shows that Herter's was a Midwestern company. Not sure the painters ever saw a Brant.... Even the West Coast Black Brant looks fairly bright on the water. These 81s are Atlantic Brant. I any event, any buyer of your birds should apply some new paint.

https://stevenjaysanford.com/tutorial-painting-homer-brant/




Also, I see that one of your Brant is a Model 92 Canada with "Brant" paint; the other 4 are Model 92 bodies with Brant heads.

Although a proponent of oversize decoys for big waters, I never saw the benefit of the Model 92 Brant. The Model 81s show up very nicely on the water and take up much less room in the boat or bag. A buyer should return the single Model 92 Goose to its intended species. The Canadas in the left row are Model 92s; middle row stock Model 81s; right row (mostly) Model 81 bodies with my Pine heads.



I have added plastic tail inserts to many of my Model 81s - but the tails on your burlapped birds could get some thickened epoxy brushed into and onto the ends of their tails.

Mallards: I bought my first Model 72 Mallard-Black Mallards in 1966.



As I have posted elsewhere, I immediately repainted them - especially the Hens - to improve the factory job. This tutorial covers a related topic:

https://stevenjaysanford.com/pintail-rehabbing-herters-smaller-decoys/

Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[Eric Johnson]

Thanks so much Steve for your thoughts and " Herters history "!!

 

[Kevin Puls]

I have a significant rig of magnum divers that I inherited from my grandfather. They were in bad shape. I burlaped them myself and am very very slowly replacing the heads with my own carved ones.