Anybody Recognize the Maker?

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Anybody recognize the maker of these decoys? Their consistency in size, shape, and paint makes me think they are factory decoys and I think I've seen them somewhere but can't remember the name. Any ideas? They are somewhat reminiscent to LL Bean but I don't think they are Beans. They could be from an individual but just seem more factory to me. Thoughts?

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The heads and bodies of the decoys tell me early George Soule Mallard decoys made for LL Bean. Almost identical to those in Fleckenstein book.

Also Tuverson Manufacturing, St. James, MN comes to mind. Mabbe TUX-DUX, Madison,Conn. Even the obscure HANSELLS CORK DECOYS, Minneapolis, MN. Only thing is these decoys had a humped body, and not as fine heads as the G. Soule decoys. So I'd say Soule. Time was you could see and handle most of them at the old Ohio Decoy Show.

No matter for their age they are in Good condition with OP it looks like. I'd make the few repairs and paint that are needed to the bills and heads (nothing more). Gun over them with yer old double guns. They were made to Work and shall still work just fine. Seemingly they were very well cared for considering their age and use, bottom seams appear tight and true.

Is that the owners name on the bottom? Can't make it out.


my 2 cents
 
Almost positive they're TuxDux. Check the bottom carefully for an ink stamp, usually about mid decoy along one edge.
 
SJ

I ran to google with that and found this. The meoward. You sure about the spelling? The link below was the only other hit. Hard to say those are the same. Similar but not the same.

www.skinnerinc.com

Sold at auction Eight Tux-Dux Painted Carved Wood and Cork Mallard Duck Decoys Auction Number 2537M Lot Number 1073 | Skinner Auctioneers

Sold at auction Eight Tux-Dux Painted Carved Wood and Cork Mallard Duck Decoys for sale in auction. Auction Number 2537M, Lot Number 1073. Bid on similar items for sale at auction
www.skinnerinc.com www.skinnerinc.com
 

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Maybe they are early Soule decoys. I havent seen any of that time period up close, so it didnt click for me. The examples you found certainly appear close to your birds. I believe you are correct about the spelling of Tux-Dux. We had a few in the collection which was sold in May, which is what reminded me of them.
 
The first decoys I ever bought were canvasbacks my high school trig teacher made from Decoys Unlimited molds. At auction I found the very same diver body mold, except it has a bluebill head and not the canvasback. The lot had a mallard body and head too. I snagged them knowing there would come a day I'd add to the six cans left from my first rig. To this day I think the early Decoys Unlimited diver body is one of the most eye-pleasing I've seen.



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Eric Patterson said:
They made it safe and sound today. I love the simplicity.

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Congratulations!

Damn fine gunning decoys. Simplicity is all ya need to toll ducks. All the taxidermy pretty stuff we decoy carver/makers to is to toll people and decoy judges. Love the wood grain showing on the heads and the sawblade marks on the bottom boards. If they could talk....

Bottom photo. The bill color on the two on the left is different. One hen Mallard (touch of orange) and one a hen Black Duck possible. Far right Black Duck also. Me thinks.

my 2 cents
 
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