Louis Rathmell Black Duck

Louis C. Rathmell (1898-1974) Danbury, CT, c. 1945 17.75" long

The maker's refined head carving, dynamic poses, and exceptional scratch and feather paint place him alongside Shang Wheeler as Stratford's finest carvers. Published article titles on Rathmell include "Gentleman carvers of Connecticut" and "Lou Rathmell: A decoy maker who lived in a castle". Perhaps one of the biggest advocates of Rathmell's skill, when discussing Rathmell's Black Ducks, Donal C. O'Brien remarked, "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."

The body is comprised of a thick wooden bottom board and cork top. The applied head and tail are carved cedar. The turned head has applied glass eyes, excellent scratch feather paint, and a nicely sculpted bill with carved details.

Condition: Original paint with light gunning wear, minimal darkening to body, and small amount of touch-up to bill tip.

Literature: Cliff Alexander, "Lou Rathmell: A decoy maker who lived in a castle," Decoy Magazine, November/December 2015, p. 25 and front cover, rigmates illustrated.