Charles R. Birdsall Wildfowler Decoy

[Eric Patterson]

A few weeks ago I saw an auction for a Wildfowler Brant decoy with Charles R. Birdsall written on the bottom. The auction ended today and with only four bids yours truly had the winning bid. I know Birdsall owned Wildfowler from about 1961 to the mid 70s. Birdsall's name is written on the bottom of the decoy along with 1972 and Point Pleasant, NJ. That has me wondering if the the name indicates who owned the company when the decoy was made, or was it out of Mr. Birdsall's personal rig. Thoughts?

Wildflower Wood Decoy , New Jersey | Live and Online Auctions on HiBid.com

hibid.com

 

[SJ Fairbank]

I don't know much about the Point Pleasant birds. The original factory was here in Old Saybrook where I live, and my father and grandfather were friends of Ted and his wife Carmen. As I was quite young when he passed, I only vaguely remember him holding court and telling stories. If that bird had been signed by Mulliken, it almost certainly would have been an ornamental.

Only a guess given the above, based on the amount of writing chances are it was sold as a single to someone and Birdsall signed it as artwork. I have seen a few others that had similar writing, which were represented to me as ornamentals. But you never know. There are books about Wildfowler decoys which would probably help answer your questions. I am sorry to say I haven't read them intentionally because of my family and personal experience. Feels like it might ruin my "memories" if that's the right word. In any event it's a fine looking brant which will sit proudly wherever you display him.

 

[jode hillman]

I don't know much about the Point Pleasant birds. The original factory was here in Old Saybrook where I live, and my father and grandfather were friends of Ted and his wife Carmen. As I was quite young when he passed, I only vaguely remember him holding court and telling stories. If that bird had been signed by Mulliken, it almost certainly would have been an ornamental.

Only a guess given the above, based on the amount of writing chances are it was sold as a single to someone and Birdsall signed it as artwork. I have seen a few others that had similar writing, which were represented to me as ornamentals. But you never know. There are books about Wildfowler decoys which would probably help answer your questions. I am sorry to say I haven't read them intentionally because of my family and personal experience. Feels like it might ruin my "memories" if that's the right word. In any event it's a fine looking brant which will sit proudly wherever you display him.

Eric, in my opinion, Charles probably finished that bird himself. WildFowler used lathe technology for both heads and bodies. They were then finished in assembles by guys like his nephew the late Artie birdsall, Rick Brown, Chip allsopp as well as others.

Charlie probably had some of his own work into this bird.

 

[SJ Fairbank]

Eric, in my opinion, Charles probably finished that bird himself. WildFowler used lathe technology for both heads and bodies. They were then finished in assembles by guys like his nephew the late Artie birdsall, Rick Brown, Chip allsopp as well as others.

Charlie probably had some of his own work into this bird.

That's a great thought Jode. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[Eric Patterson]

SJ & Jode

Thanks for your insights. I think you may be correct in that the decoy was marked in that manner because he had a hand in its making. I figured he owned and ran the company but had workers do the making so that explanation never entered my mind, but it makes sense.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Laminated Balsa wood body? I had one with Point Pleasant stamp on bottom. That shop made lots of Brant and they are fine decoys. At one time I had Wildfowler Decoys made at all 3 shops. Now just Old Saybrook.

my 2 cents

 

[Eric Patterson]

Vince

I haven't held the decoy yet so I don't know. When it arrives in the mail in a few weeks maybe I'll be able to tell.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Vince

I haven't held the decoy yet so I don't know. When it arrives in the mail in a few weeks maybe I'll be able to tell.

Eric,

From what I see in the photo it sure looks like the Balsa body model. The paint and condition that I see on that one side are very good. Above and beyond the OP I've seen on others. Could be it is signed because Charles R. Birdsall painted that decoy. If so ya did Very Good.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Jode hit the nail on the head.

 

[Steve Sanford]

A few weeks ago I saw an auction for a Wildfowler Brant decoy with Charles R. Birdsall written on the bottom. The auction ended today and with only four bids yours truly had the winning bid. I know Birdsall owned Wildfowler from about 1961 to the mid 70s. Birdsall's name is written on the bottom of the decoy along with 1972 and Point Pleasant, NJ. That has me wondering if the the name indicates who owned the company when the decoy was made, or was it out of Mr. Birdsall's personal rig. Thoughts?

Wildflower Wood Decoy , New Jersey | Live and Online Auctions on HiBid.com

hibid.com

Eric et al~

Congratulations on that Brant! Through lack of attention, I just missed one on eBay....

As most of you know, I am a long-time fan of Wildfowler Decoys - especially from Old Saybrook and Quogue. I have one or two from Point Pleasant.

Here is some info from THE BOOK that might be useful - which every gunner should own. I got to know the authors just a bit before they passed (and Dick LaFountain is featured in our When the Broadbill was King on Great South Bay documentary).



Some scanned snippets re Point Pleasant paint:











Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[Eric Patterson]

Steve

Thank you very much. I'm really looking forward to getting the decoy in hand and compare it to the info you posted. I'll post a few pictures when I do.