Jess Heisler Important Biddle-rig Green-winged Teal Drake

Jess Heisler (1891-1943) Burlington, NJ, c. 1920 12 1/4 in. long

This early Biddle rig decoy is exceedingly rare and possibly unique with no Heisler teal in original condition apparent at auction for at least twenty-five years. Only a single blue-winged hen with a repaired bill surfaced in 2010. In 2001 "Decoy Magazine" hinted at their possible existence, writing that Heisler's teal pattern remained in the family "so possibly he produced those as well."

This bird hails from the esteemed rig of Charles Biddle, a wealthy sportsman from Andelusia, Pennsylvania, who hunted with his cousin, Mercer. In a cover article on Heisler, "Decoy Magazine" reports that the Biddles "both owned Heisler scull boats and decoys, often employing his services." The Biddles were known to hunt over some the finest decoys on the river, including choice examples by John Blair Sr. (1843-1929). The article also states that "Reportedly the Biddles, who owned or rented a railroad car, would hire a train to pull it to a spur in Maryland where they would use it for a duck camp." The cousins were also members of the Philadelphia Gun Club on the Chesapeake Bay, which hosted the likes of Annie Oakley, Earnest Hemingway, and Gen. John Pershing.

The hollow body shows Heisler's best early carving with dramatically lifted wing tips and a flaring tail, each finished with incised feathering. The underside has a partial brand reading "Biddl." Original paint with even gunning wear and slight crack below left neck seam.

Provenance: Charles Biddle Rig The Estate of Ann Dickinson Dale

Literature: H. Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, "Floating Sculptures: The Decoys of the Delaware River," Spanish Fork, UT, 1982, no Heisler teal listed or illustrated. Allen Linkchorst, "Jess Heisler: Builder of Quality Boats and Decoys," Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, March/April 2001, front cover and pp. 8-11, Heisler and Biddle discussed, teal pattern listed.

Provenance

Charles Biddle Rig The Estate of Ann Dickinson Dale