Midwest Decoy Collectors Show pics

David Robinson

David Robinson

Well-known member
Paul, Jeff, and I made a mad dash to join the Midwest Decoy Collectors show on Saturday. (The Rutgers Institute made it in record time since we were down a half-dozen members:) I was warned that it was going to be a "mind numbing" experience but I was still in awe of the magnitude of the show. Wow, what a venue for looking at the best decoys in the country! This picture shows only half of the room.

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I think Torry Ward is my new favorite carver that I discovered at the show. I was told that he could carve anything he wanted and make it look just like anyone's best work. This led to a long story about Charlie Moore, his hunting buddy, and a decoy that Charlie made that looked like Torry's that was a copy of JR Wells. Well, I bought that little blue-wing teal and I'm loving the history.

This is a Torry Ward mallard. The smokey paint and texture was awesome. Toronto school all the way.

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Here is one of my favorites that was about $4000 out of my price range. An authentic JR Wells redhead. Just to hold it was a thrill.

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The Blair pintail that I tried to copy last year was at the show. The books just don't show all of the detail that is in the paint. If you really want to learn some history, you've got to just ask the owner (really nicely) if you can handle his $60,000 decoy so you can understand it's significance in waterfowling.

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Since I'm always looking to learn more about carving and painting, I had to stop in and see Geoff Vine! Geoff, sweeeeeet blending on that BWT.

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Decoys aside, the best part of the show was catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. It was great to see everyone from Westlake and this great site! We'll be back next year. Thanks Pat for the invite!

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5 pictures??? Really Dave, I'm stuck at work, you go to a decoy show and take 5 pictures??? Remind me next time I see you to give you a kick in the pants!

Chuck
 
David - It was great to see you guys there. And, I appreciate you posting up the pictures. As carvers, we can learn alot by studying the decoys of our forefathers. I find that just walking through a show and handling old decoy helps me alot.

I had the privilege to meet Tory Ward when he was alive. Back when I began attending the show, he'd drive all the way from Canada with 100 decoys! All were very hollow white cedar painted in oil paint. Those were good days. He was an outstanding carver. I was blessed to know him.

Anyway, it was good to see the Rutgers Institute represented. I hope to see them next year. I appreciate all you guys do for decoy carving... Pat
 
thanks for the pics!

my son decided to show up on the 26th, and i've been waiting on photos since then.......had the due date not been when it was, i would have been at this show, no doubt.

great pics, and that mallard is too cool.

justin
 
Sorry, Chuck. Just a phone camera and too many decoys to see in 4 hours;)

Some else has got to have some more pics!

Post them up....please!!! Chuck is getting grumpy.
 
Chuck? Grumpy?? Come on David, not Chuck. Maybe he needs to put his apron on and go sew a few stitches...

I thought your pictures were fine and enjoyed them. Thank you for coming to the show... Pat
 
Very cool. Thanks for the pics David!
I'm really bummed to have not been in that car with you all!! One of these years I'll get over there, or to Westlake, or wherever... sigh...

Best,
Brian
 
Chuck? Grumpy?? Come on David, not Chuck. Maybe he needs to put his apron on and go sew a few stitches...

I thought your pictures were fine and enjoyed them. Thank you for coming to the show... Pat
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I may be grumpy, but Dave is a tease! Pictures were fine...just not nearly enough of them!
 
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