Henry Hank Catton Exceedingly Rare Canvasback Pair

Henry "Hank" Catton (1854-1933) Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada, c. 1920 15 in. long

A rare and iconic pair of Catton canvasbacks with highly articulated head and bill carving, high backs, tall necks, and sharply cut tail carving. Rondeau Harbor rigs were generally left out for the entire season, making Catton decoys in good condition exceedingly rare. Indeed, this pair set an auction record for the maker over fifteen years ago and are representative of his finest examples to have survived.

Along with George Warin, Catton was among Canada's decoy makers known for their target shooting accomplishments.

Both have keels on the underside and a penciled "O'Conner." The drake has a painted "J.B.K." rig marking. The hen has a "'Hy' Dahlka" brand and collector notes. Hen is in original paint with moderate gunning wear. Drake is in mix of original and repaint with an age line in left side.

Provenance: Thomas J. O'Connor Jr. Collection The George Secor Decoy Collection to Benefit Delta Waterfowl

Literature: Patricia Fleming and Thomas Carpenter, eds., "Traditions in Wood: A History of Wildfowl Decoys in Canada," Altona, ON, 1987, p. 144, canvasback illustrated and maker discussed. Guyette and Schmidt, Auction Catalog, April 2007, lot 454, exact pair illustrated.

Provenance

Thomas J. O'Connor Jr. Collection The George Secor Decoy Collection to Benefit Delta Waterfowl