Joel Barber The Modern Canvasback Drake

Joel D. Barber (1876-1952) Wilton, CT, c. 1940 16 in. long

The legendary Joel Barber Collection and archives is held in the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. In 2019, Chief Curator, and Barber specialist, Kory Rogers presented, and Copley Fine Art Auctions supported, a special exhibition titled "Joel Barber & The Modern Decoy." In addition to his legendary writing and collecting, Barber dedicated much time and effort to creating the ideal modern decoy. He believed that "no matter how good a whittler you are, you can't forge the duck decoys of the old masters." This decoy and the bluebill in this sale illustrates a part of his ambitious pursuit.

Barber only produced approximately fifty decoys in his lifetime. The underside is branded "BARBER DECOYS" and bears a white-paper label with the inscription "Given to E. L. Voorhees by Joel Barber 1942."

Included with this lot is a 1st edition copy of Barber's 1934 "Wild Fowl Decoys" book. It is from the library of George Thompson who has inscribed the book and included a copy of Barber's "visiting card." Also included is a copy of the 1931 Abercrombie & Fitch exhibition catalog which features a Barber illustration of a canvasback ridging a wave. Original paint with minimal wear.

Provenance: Joel Barber Collection E. L. Voorhees Collection, gifted from the above, c. 1942 Private Collection, Massachusetts, acquired from the family of the above

Literature: Kory W. Rogers, “Birds of a Feather,” Shelburne, VT, 2017, pp. 12, related decoys illustrated, p. 16 related diagram illustrated. p. 61, related pair illustrated. Ralf Coykendall, "Modern Decoys by Joel Barber," patterns illustrated. Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 70, related decoy illustrated. Joel Barber, "Wild Fowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1954, p. 149, pl. 117, similar decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Joel Barber Collection E. L. Voorhees Collection, gifted from the above, c. 1942 Private Collection, Massachusetts, acquired from the family of the above