Merry Christmas to me

J

Jeffrey Nelson

Active member
I don't have a big collection of decoys, but I was drifting and dreaming looking at decoys on eBay. When I came upon a goose that was carved by Artie Birdsall of Point Pleasant New Jersey. As I read the description about the bird I see it was painted by my Uncle Glenn Cooke by evidence of his initials on the bottom of the bill. Uncle Glenn painted most Artie's birds in the 90's. My Uncle told me at one point he had painted 900 birds for Artie in one year. My Uncle is 83 years old now, and is not doing much carving anymore..... I had to have this decoy. So consulted the warden and she gave me permission to by it. I am very proud to have piece of decoy and my family history......


I also got these without telling the warden. (Bob Biddle, widgeon)


Then I took the birds over to show my mentor (DOC) John Blackard. We gave the decoys a good lookover, and talked about the birds shapes and styles of paint. Then next thing I know he takes off into the house and returns back to the shop with a 1935 Ben Schmitt and says "Merry Christmas". I ask him are you sure you want to give this to me..... of course being the generous man he is he just says "Merry Christmas", and tells me the bird is from a collector friend of his fathers rig. Another huge moment for a beginner carver/collector.


Christmas wasn't over yet he also gave me a coot he had made. We have been working on some coots. I thought mine were looking good. Then he gives me this. I still have a lot to learn. Merry Christmas, Jeff

 
Jeff,

Now that's a great way to start Christmas! I love family decoys...and well, any decoy with a good story. The goose is a great looking decoy. I'm guessing he could paint one blindfolded after doing 900. Good job keeping it in the family.
 
What a small World that we live in. When I first moved to Washington my first Brant decoys were Charlie Birdsall's. I never knew that he didn't do his own painting but based on the decoy shown there is no question in my mind that your Uncle painted the birds I had. Painted as Atlantic's he used the same side pocket pattern for Brant that he used for the Canada's.

I always liked to think that I had the biggest Birdsall's rig on the West Coast since you do t see much of his work in the West. Traded them off for larger birds by an assortment of carvers over the years. Would have never imagined that I'd meet the man who painted those birds nephew.

One of those "seven seep rations of Kevin Bacon" things.

Neat stuff.

Steve
 
Steve, pretty cool.... I would have loved to see your rig of wildfowlers. I'm not sure if my Uncle painted for Charlie or not. I think Artie was Charlie's nephew or cousin. I will have to ask how that part of the story works. Hope your season is going well, Jeff
 
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