Charles Walker Lawton Rig Mallard Drake

Charles Walker (1873-1954) Princeton, IL, c. 1948 17 1/2 in. long

Prior to establishing himself as one of the Mississippi Flyway's top decoy makers, Walker was a painter who was influenced by his talented father, a blacksmith and violin maker.

Walker was a member of the Princeton Fish and Game Club of Bureau, Illinois, from 1902-1910. However, with a wife and four small children to support, the young painter by trade had to give up the luxury of his duck club membership. However, he continued to hunt there as a guest. After he made a rig of decoys for his host, other club members took note and started placing orders.

He eventually began carving decoys in earnest and set up a workshop near his home on Pleasant Street that became a social hub for club members, fellow carvers, friends, and family. During this period he is known to have carved rigs of birds for Watson Lawton, Merle L. Brown (Vance rig), Henry Gross (Skinner rig), and Clifford Jolley.

This decoy shows very good head carving with a thin neck and the clean lines and exceptional combed and blended paint associated with this esteemed rig. Lawton's "34" designation is painted on the underside alongside the maker's slotted weight. Excellent original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: Watson Lawton Rig, Princeton Game and Fish Club Private Collection, by descent in the family Private Collection

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, pp. 54-61, Walker club decoys illustrated and discussed. Alan G. Haid, “Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway,” Exton, PA, 1981, p. 84, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Watson Lawton Rig, Princeton Game and Fish Club Private Collection, by descent in the family Private Collection