Old Decoy
- Thread starter Joe Atwoo
- Start date
jode hillman
Well-known member
It is a modern repro, of a Dudley ruddy duck
How can you tell? Also, what's considered "modern" by repro standards. I have known this decoy since 1979 and it has always looked as it does now. I'm definitely not saying it's not a repro because I have zero clue about decoys but want to know more about this one in particular.
It's considered "modern" because Lee Dudley has been dead for over 80 years. This is a picture of an actual Dudley ruddy. FWIW the last one I know of to go to auction sold for something like $240,000, give or take $20-30,000.
Thank you very much. Helpful
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Joe~
I saw such reproductions in the early '80s at the Ocean City decoy show. I do not recall the carver - but almost bought a "Dudley Canvasback" - for $80 or $90....
I saw the original several years ago (January 2021?) at the Shelburne Museum in VT - as part of a Joel Barber exhibit. The Shelburne has most of his collection. The Dudley Ruddy was displayed high up on the wall - out of harm's way - and a bit too high for good photography.
Someday I will honor this bird in watercolors. I first saw him in Barber's WILD-FOWL DECOYS when I was about 12. The decoy told me that I just had to carve.....truly inspirational!
All the best,
SJS
jode hillman
Well-known member
For Starters the Carver was honest and carved his name in the bottom. That's some thing Many do not. The overall form shape and size are close but not a perfect match for an original Dudley. The antiquing process, wear patternsand the overall patina on the paint again or clues as to its more modern origin.
The original Dudley's would've been carved over 100 years ago. So I'm defining modern as anything not of that era.
One of my old hunting partners and good friend now deceased was born and raised on Lee Dudleys old farm. It was a private club at the time that his daddy ran and he ran after his daddy passed until it was bought by the government in the 80s. He also had a bush blind that was located where Lee's nephew Linwood had a club. He is also the same man that got me started carving 20 some years ago.
Vince Pagliaroli
Well-known member
I did this watercolor in 1984 during my infatuation with southern decoy as I'd spent much time hunting in NC & VA. The painting now hangs in my Man Room.
This Ruddy Duck decoy may be the most "replicated" decoys of all time. I have seen many of them. Some "replicas" are Very Good, and not signed as Jode has pointed out. The ones that are the real thing are like Hen's Teeth....
my 2 cents
This Ruddy Duck decoy may be the most "replicated" decoys of all time. I have seen many of them. Some "replicas" are Very Good, and not signed as Jode has pointed out. The ones that are the real thing are like Hen's Teeth....
my 2 cents
