Ward Brothers 1936 Canvasback Hen

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1936 16 in. long

Finding Ward hens in good condition from this era is incredibly difficult. This Ward 1936 canvasback is an American bird decoy classic. The full body, with a humped back and superb surface, places it among the best Ward hen canvasbacks known.

The underside bears both of the Ward brothers' signatures, Lem's inked inscription "1936 L. T. Ward - Bro.,” and William H. Purnell’s “P” brand. Bill Purnell is a highly-respected Southern decoy collector, with many of the top decoys from Virginia and Maryland having passed through his hands. Original paint with gunning wear, some minor touch-up to original reset bill, some possible touch-up to neck putty, repair to chip on left edge of tail, and a crack along underside.

Provenance: William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Private Collection

Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, “The Donal C. O’Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions I-II,” July 27, 2017, p. 112, lot 40, related decoy illustrated. Glenn Lawson, "The Story of Lem Ward," West Chester, PA, 1984, p. 49, related decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 76-77, related decoy illustrated. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "Ward Brothers’ Decoys: A Collector’s Guide," Wolf City, TX, 1989, pl. 15, related decoy illustrated. Lemuel T. Ward Jr. and Paul Shertz, "The Decoys of Lem and Steve Ward," printed by Phototype Engraving, Philadelphia, PA, 1978, related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Private Collection