“Sea Trials”

Our first-ever Contemporary Decoy Exhibition at the 2016 Long Island Decoy Collectors Association Annual Show was a success overall but did experience some problems that prevented it from being as good as it could or should have been.  Antique decoys and a Narrative were displayed to explain the historical roots of decoys and decoy competitions. Craig Kessler organized the contributed decoys of numerous LIDCA members; Steve Sanford prepared the Narrative and its illustrations.

We had more entries than we anticipated and had to add several more tables on-the-fly. A total of 106 decoys was entered by a total of 38 carvers from 7 states.  Mary Meyers received the mail-in entries and helped to register all of the birds on the day of the Show. Ray Geminski – aided by an impromptu team of “runners”, including Ted Sadleir, George Combs and George Rigby – photographed each of the 106 entries. Subsequently, Steve Sanford edited each portrait and is working with Ryan Yanelli to post all on the LIDCA website.

Approximately 150 ballots were cast by the public. Votes were tallied by a 3-person team: Mary Meyers, Bill McKinley & Ted Sanford. Blue Ribbons were awarded for first place (most votes) for each species. In addition, a Best-in-Show framed certificate was awarded one decoy in the Shang Wheeler Class and one in the Al McCormick Class.

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The Entries

Here are the portraits of the 106 entries.  Our apologies to the carvers – and viewers – for the few less-than-crisp images.

The Class ~ Al McCormick Gunning Decoys

Here are the rules:

” Al McCormick Gunning Class will show the simpler, more durable decoys – typical gunning stool.  Al was “Mr. Decoy” for decades on Long Island and taught scores of gunners to make their own rigs – especially of Black Ducks, Broadbill and Brant.  So, these decoys  – including bills, crests, wingtips or tails – should withstand rough handling.  Paint jobs should be readily duplicated with minimal instruction and consistent with the advice from Eugene Connett’s Duck Shooting long the Atlantic Tidewater:   “Remember that it is not so much the appearance of the bird in hand but the effect of a half-gunshot off that counts.”

A couple of these birds are a bit to fancy for the category – especially the paint.  We disqualified no birds during Year 1.

Al McCormick Gunning Class BRANT

Al McCormick Gunning Class BLACK DUCK

Al McCormick Gunning Class BROADBILL

Al McCormick Gunning Class WHISTLER

Al McCormick Gunning Class SHELLDRAKE

The Shang Wheeler Heritage Class

Here are the rules:

“Shang Wheeler Heritage Class will show the more elaborate and stylized decoys.  These decoys – not super-detailed carvings with no practical use in the field, i.e., not “floating decoratives” – will have more careful carving and paint jobs possible only by skilled and experienced hands.  Postures can be unusual for decoys but should be floatable.  These decoys will honor the traditions of Elmer Crowell and the Ward Brothers, for example, but could also include replicas of true antique decoys.”

Shang Wheeler Heritage Decoys – ALL SPECIES

I hope you have enjoyed all of the creativity and talent – and the different styles among our many fine carvers.

All the best,

SJS