Would this be a Skull Boat?

Nancy,

Maybe someone at the aforementioned lodges may have known your uncle. But if not here is some more information that may be of interest.

Auction houses
Kavanagh Auctions: This Ontario-based house regularly features Canadian and regional waterfowl antiques and decoys in its sales.
Visbids: This auction company conducts specialized country antique and art auctions featuring Western Ontario folk art, including hunting and fishing items.
LiveAuctioneers: This online platform hosts many auction houses and is a place to search specifically for Canadian and Ontario decoys and hunting antiques.
Guyette & Deeter: The world's largest decoy auction firm, based in the U.S., has a history of working with major Canadian collectors and organizations like Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).
Heritage organizations
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC): DUC is a conservation organization that has been the beneficiary of proceeds from the sale of major antique waterfowl decoy collections. When the Peter Brown collection was sold, DUC partnered with Guyette & Deeter for the auctions.
Canadian Decoy & Outdoor Collectibles Association (CDOCA): This association fosters knowledge and interest in Canadian decoys and outdoor collectibles. They have information and connections to auction houses that specialize in these items.
Online marketplaces and groups
Facebook Groups: A number of dedicated buy-and-sell Facebook groups exist for antique decoys and hunting memorabilia in Canada. Examples include "New And Old Decoys For Sale Or Trade Canada".
eBay: A general marketplace like eBay has a specific category for vintage hunting items in Ontario, which can be useful for buying and selling.
Muddy Water Decoys: This online retailer and marketplace occasionally features Canadian waterfowl antiques and decoys.
Antique dealers
Southworks Antiques: Canada's largest antique mall, located in Cambridge, Ontario, offers a way to reach a wide network of dealers who may be interested in purchasing your items.
Turner Chapel Antiques: Located in West Oakville, this antique dealer is a member of the Canadian Antique Dealers' Association and may be interested in specialized antiques.
Tips for commissioning a sale
Connect with a specialty association: Organizations like CDOCA can point you toward the most reputable auction houses and dealers.
Know your item's history: The value of a decoy is greatly influenced by the carver, the vintage, the condition, and its "working" history. For example, decoys by Ontario carvers like Ivar Fernlund or Charles Buchanan can be particularly sought-after.
Get an appraisal: Contacting an appraiser who specializes in Canadian folk art and decoys can help you determine the best channel for selling your item. Some large antique malls also offer appraisal services.
 
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NancyO said:
Good morning!

I joined this site because it seemed like it may be the best place to find answer to my question. My uncle died a year ago and I'm the executor of his estate. It has been an interesting and daunting task to go through his property! He was a collector of many things, primarily duck decoys and duck calls, but also many other collectibles. I found this boat in his shop and have spent many hours on the internet trying to figure out exactly what it is. I only took two pictures and wish I would have taken more (his place and the boat are 6 hours from me). I've researched the name on the metal plate and there doesn't seem to be a manufacturer of boats by that name.

I'd be very interested to know if anyone has any information, or at least a good guess! Thank you!
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Nancy,

Your uncle was my kinda guy. A collector and caretaker of North American Waterfowling history and the Golden Age of hand made and crafted trappings and gear.

The mashboat does have historical value for many reasons. I look at that boat and smile knowing the history it must hold. Your uncle I believe felt the same way. For sure it was a top shelf Duck Hunting Machine and worthy of restoration, or left as is. You are now the caretaker of the boat. I tip my hat to you for your being so responsible as to try to gather as much information as possible concerning it. Many such pieces of waterfowling history have been burned and forgotten. This boat is not among them, thank Goodness. I'm sure that you shall find it a good home.

Best regards
Vince
 
Thank you all!

Yes, he was an avid collector. At one point back in the day, he was the President of the MN Decoy Collector's Association. He loved to tell the story of how he built his cabin through the sale of 4 decoys. I thought what a great tale! Of course I knew nothing about the decoy world and it turns out he really did, one being a John Tax Canadian Goose that sold for over 100k through Guyette & Deeter! Now that I've spent a year educating myself, I'd sure love to have one more conversation. I have a million questions!

And speaking of, Jon Deeter has been an invaluable resource as I try to navigate all of this. Everyone has been so kind and helpful.

This duck boat was a recent surprise find! Vince, you are correct, I want to do what I can to honor what he loved.

This is a great group!
 
Sounds like he was a great man! If you get ambitious, we'd love to see some of the old decoys from his collection. Wish I wasn't so far away or I'd go help you just to see it!
 
NancyO said:
Thank you all!

Yes, he was an avid collector. At one point back in the day, he was the President of the MN Decoy Collector's Association. He loved to tell the story of how he built his cabin through the sale of 4 decoys. I thought what a great tale! Of course I knew nothing about the decoy world and it turns out he really did, one being a John Tax Canadian Goose that sold for over 100k through Guyette & Deeter! Now that I've spent a year educating myself, I'd sure love to have one more conversation. I have a million questions!

And speaking of, Jon Deeter has been an invaluable resource as I try to navigate all of this. Everyone has been so kind and helpful.

This duck boat was a recent surprise find! Vince, you are correct, I want to do what I can to honor what he loved.

This is a great group!
Click to expand...


Nancy,

John Tax is one of my all time favorite decoy carvers. Tax's laminated field goose and duck decoys are second to none. The booklet about his decoys Last of the Prairie Carvers, circa 1970 has been in my library for many years. Not to mention when I saw and studied his decoys in person at the old decoy shows. The MN Decoys Collector's Association is one of the premiere decoy clubs in the USA. If your uncle ever went to the old Ohio Show at Westlake I may have met him. That show drew the Best of the Best from all over North America. I was blessed to have been there for many years. Lots of Good and Great Folks and many friendships made. The show was a none stop learning experience from those that knew the decoys, boats, etc. and were willing to share their knowledge. It was like Decoy & Waterfowling Grad School....

Yup, lots of good folks on Duckboats.
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Nancy,

John Tax is one of my all time favorite decoy carvers. Tax's laminated field goose and duck decoys are second to none. The booklet about his decoys Last of the Prairie Carvers, circa 1970 has been in my library for many years. Not to mention when I saw and studied his decoys in person at the old decoy shows. The MN Decoys Collector's Association is one of the premiere decoy clubs in the USA. If your uncle ever went to the old Ohio Show at Westlake I may have met him. That show drew the Best of the Best from all over North America. I was blessed to have been there for many years. Lots of Good and Great Folks and many friendships made. The show was a none stop learning experience from those that knew the decoys, boats, etc. and were willing to share their knowledge. It was like Decoy & Waterfowling Grad School....

Yup, lots of good folks on Duckboats.
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You mean this one? You probably did know him then! This was his booklet.
 

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That's it!

"Good things come in small packages." I do believe I bought it from Dean Dashner at the Ohio show in the early 1980s. Many folks would gather in that room and other rooms to meet and mingle. One would meet so many folks that it was hard to keep track of everyone. It was decoy and waterfowl overload each day but it sure was one helluva Good Time. I still take that booklet down off the shelf and reread it and shake my head at the work of John Tax. Your uncle did much to enhance the decoy community with his knowledge and passion for it. May he rest in peace.

Vince
 
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