Verne Cheeseman The Cheeseman Goldeneye Drake

Verne Cheeseman (1897-1956) Macomb, IL, c. 1930 11 1/2 in. long

"The carver Verne Cheeseman, from Macomb, Illinois, had many of his decoys painted by Edna, including Mallards, Canvasbacks, Bluebills, and one especially fine Goldeneye that is known to be extant." -Ann Tandy Lacy, "Perdew: An Illinois River Tradition," discussing this fine goldeneye

This is not only the finest Cheeseman decoy, but one the finest goldeneye decoys from the Midwest.

From Macomb, Illinois, Verne Cheeseman was a guide for the Sanganois Duck Club. He made decoys primarily for his own use and hunted a good deal with his friend and fellow carver Ross Murphy on Millman Lake, a part of the timbered bottomlands of the Mississippi River.

An acquaintance of Charles and Edna Perdew, Cheeseman often began his decoys using Perdew decoy patterns. He employed the services of Edna Perdew to paint many of his decoys, and, at times, it can be challenging to distinguish between a Cheeseman and a Perdew.

A noticeable difference is the manner in which Cheeseman finished his heads. Cheeseman heads tend to have longer necks and reared-back heads with rather pronounced cheek carving. This drake demonstrates Cheeseman's variation on Perdew at its very finest, with the cocked posture and full, rounded breast. While Perdew also created birds with firmly cut cheeks, Cheeseman's decoys tend to have a more serene look. The bold carving is finished with strong Edna Perdew paint. Original paint with moderate gunning wear.

Provenance: Vern Cheeseman Rig Joe French Collection, acquired from the above Joe and Donna Tonelli Collection William Humbracht Collection Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection, acquired from the sale of the above, 1988

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 126, exact decoy illustrated. Zac Zetterberg, ed., “American Decoy: The Invention,” Peoria, IL, 2020, p. 33, exact decoy illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 247, exact decoy illustrated. Ann Tandy Lacy, "Perdew: An Illinois River Tradition," Indianapolis, IN, 1993, pp. 126-127, exact decoy illustrated. Tandy Lacy, “The Wooden Bird: Heritage Bird Carvers of the Upper Illinois River Valley,” Washburn, IL, 1989, p. 18, exact decoy illustrated.

Exhibited: Peoria, Illinois, “American Decoy: The Invention,” Peoria Riverfront Museum, February 9–April 28, 2019. Salisbury, Maryland, “The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2 - November 13, 2005. Peoria, Illinois, “The Wooden Bird Exhibition,” Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, January 7–February 18, 1990. Springfield, Illinois, “The Wooden Bird Exhibition,” The Illinois State Museum, March 3–April 22, 1990.

Provenance

Vern Cheeseman Rig Joe French Collection, acquired from the above Joe and Donna Tonelli Collection William Humbracht Collection Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection, acquired from the sale of the above, 1988