Passing it on

J

Jeffrey Nelson

Active member
Today, I got a call from my mentor. He tells me to come over, he has something to give me. So I head over. When I get there he opens the garage, just like he always does when he hears me pull up. Then he tells me that his friend Bill Moore had passed away. Bill was a collector, buyer, and seller of antiques. I'd met Bill several times over the last 4 years, and he was a very nice man. I'm sorry to see him go. The Doc (my mentor) then tells me he wants me to have these decoys from Bill's collection. I was instantly humbled and honored by this generous gesture. He tells me his kids don't give a hoot about any of this stuff. I shrug in disbelief about his kids and that he wants me to have them. All this leads to this.....These birds are from Bill's collection, I don't know the back story on any of them. I was wondering if any of you guys could add to the history of these decoys? Any info about the carvers themselves would be greatly appreciated.
The first decoy is by Terry Mcnulty from Medford, NJ 1984

The second one is a really nice decoy. It has a very unusual keel and weight system. The only markings appear to be A.Webb.



The last one I do know about, it was done by my mentor Dr. John Blackard back in 1984

 
Bad news and good news at the same time. Hate to hear somebody passed away but acquiring a nice pack of decoys is not sad at all.

Hope you're doing well Jeff, and still making some birds. - Bender

There is a Bill Moore from Moravia, NY who is a carver and makes some nice birds. The guys from the Thousand Islands/Clayton, NY area & decoy show will be familiar with his stuff I'm sure. If I recall, He's a friend of Glenn Sweet who also makes sweet decoys. That Bill Moore has a bunch of blue ribbons from that Summertime decoy event.
 
Terry Mcnulty is still around, though not sure how much he carves. He operated the Delaware River Decoy company for awhile. Though the wigeon looks like a bird he made on his own. Sorry to hear about your buddy's friend.
 
Terry Mcnulty was a regular at the old Westlake, Ohio ODCCA show in the mid 1980's. He judged the upstairs gunning contest that Paul "Art" Busick was in charge of. He made some mighty fine gunning and decorative decoys.

I have a copy of his Delaware River Decoy Company catalog, somewhere... I recall a good photo of Mr. Mcnutly beside his Sneakbox, and his decoys on board ready to go to work.

That was back in the day when the" best of the best" roamed the halls, rooms, and bar of the old Holiday Inn. Many a St. Pats' day weekend, was a decoy get together party unlike any other.

Days gone by, but for those of us still upright, never forgotten.

Many of the men & women carvers of that time are gone, but their Decoys tell their tale of life on earth well lived.
 
Derek, good to hear from you and I hope your season is going well. You're right...... not exactly the way I wanted to get them, but hopefully someday I'll have the chance to pass it on. Good luck the rest of the season and be safe, Jeff
 
Jode, I'm glad to hear he is still around, and hopefully he is still carving. The Delaware river decoy company.... That's a great piece to add to the story, and exactly the kind of information I was looking for.
I appreciate you taking the time, Jeff
 
Vince, great information.... From the stories I hear the 80's were the primetime to be in the mix of the decoy world. I can only imagine the good times and people.
Thanks, Jeff
 
Jeff, Just an update on terry, Terry is a very good friend of mine we have carved & hunted together, & competed against each other . He Makes a very fine decoy.One of the Best around. His favorite claim to fame are his Pintail decoys.He won with one at the World in the hunting decoy division back a few YRS.He & our wives spent a lot of time together at the various shows .When we were both avtively competing. He dosent carve that much anymore ,just duck hunts heavily, We have a great friendship . PAUL
 
Paul, when I received these decoys I felt an urge to find out more about them. I knew someone would be able to tell me more about them, and you pretty much brought this full circle for me. I'm sorry to hear he's not carving much anymore because his decoys are definitely a thing of beauty. If you would please let him know about this and hopefully it puts a smile on his face. Thanks, Jeff
 
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