Ward Brothers Humpback Goldeneye Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1948 16 in. long

An alert swimming whistler with a turned head, high back, and beaver tail, this important balsa decoy hails from two of the top Ward collectors of all time. One of the Ward's best designed decoys of the 1940's, it is featured in Lawson's "The Story of Lem Ward" as told by Lem's daughter, Ida Ward Linton.

The boldly conceived body is finished with Lem's best paint, displaying fine feather work and strong stippling. Inscribed, dated, and signed on the bottom. The underside also bears William H. Purnell Jr.'s "WHP Jr" brand and the "MK" brand designating the Morton D. Kramer Collection.

Purnell acquired this decoy, and just one like it, after receiving a lead from his friend Lem Ward. Excellent original paint with minimal wear, a seam line at neck, and touch-up to a minute tail chip.

Provenance: William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired from the above in 1981

Literature: Glenn Lawson, "The Story of Lem Ward," West Chester, PA, 1984, p. 23, exact decoy illustrated. Bob Ridges, "Decoy Ducks," New York, NY, 1988, p. 33, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired from the above in 1981