Orlando Os Bibber American Merganser

Orlando Sylvester "Os" Bibber (1882-197 South Harpswell, ME, c. 1920 An exceedingly rare hollow carved Maine decoy. This merganser is an outstanding example of American folk art by one of Maine’s premier decoy carvers. The body is pegged together from the top and it retains a nice dry patina. Bibber was a mentor to a young George Soule in the 1930’s. This decoy was a special gift from Bibber to Soule and sat on an eye level shelf in Soule’s den. It was a prized possession in the fellow carver’s collection for over forty years. In superb original paint with a couple shot scars, a small old chip at the bill tip and an age line at the body seam. The rigging has been removed.

Provenance: George V. Soule Collection

Literature: Joe Engers, ed., The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 32.

Provenance

George V. Soule Collection