Louis Rathmell Sleeping Black Duck

Louis C. Rathmell (1898-1974) Danbury, CT, c. 1941

According to O’Brien, “Rathmell was probably the best hunter of those who hunted the Stratford marshes. He not only made beautiful decoys, but stood alone as a wing shot and duck caller. His presence in the marsh was feared by the other hunters.” O’Brien continues, “When I showed Bill Mackey and Adele Earnest these decoys, they thought they were Shang Wheeler's.” As the two makers' carvings were virtually indistinguishable, Rathmell's were often sold as Wheeler's. O’Brien explains, “Rathmell was the most unappreciated of the Stratford carvers. A shame, because he was a great maker.”

In the 1960s, O’Brien acquired twelve of these cork black ducks from the rig of fellow Connecticut hunter and carver, Louis Rathmell. O’Brien remarks in his notes, “His decoys are difficult to distinguish from Shang Wheeler’s when both were at their best. He won several contests from 1939-1943, beating Wheeler and other top makers. He made one exquisite rig of shooting decoys, black ducks, all with different head positions.” Supporting O’Brien’s assertion, the author of “Shang” proclaimed the group is "...one of the best gunning rigs ever made." O’Brien traded away the majority of his Rathmells to other top collectors, including Dr. Lloyd Griffith, Dr. George Ross Starr, Jr. , and George Thompson. Excellent original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: Louis Rathmell Rig Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from the maker, c. 1962

Literature: Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 99, exact decoy illustrated. Peter Johnson and Alf Wannenburgh, “The World of Shooting,” Lausanne, Switzerland, 1987, pp. 259-261, exact decoy illustrated. Jackson Parker, “O’Brien Classic Decoys on Display at Museum of American Folk Art,” North American Decoys: Wildfowl Carvers and Collectors News, Spanish Fork, UT, Spring/Summer 1982, p. 37, exact decoy illustrated.

Exhibited: New York, New York, “The Art of the American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” Museum of American Folk Art, September 3 – November 8, 1981.

Provenance

Louis Rathmell Rig Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection, acquired from the maker, c. 1962