Ward Brothers The Starr Turned-head Mallard Drake

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1948 14 3/4 in. long

Dr. Kramer acquired this dramatic carving from the Dr. George Ross Starr Jr. Collection. Starr featured this decoy in his book, "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," where he discusses “two of the most friendly and wonderful fellows I've ever known...” Regarding this exact mallard, he recorded the following: “The position of the Drake's head is quite unusual and it is best explained by the story that came along with the decoy. Seems that one day Steve was ordered by the domestic powers that be to go downtown and get a new topcoat. Quite naturally he decided to go by the shore road, which meant crossing the creek at the foot of their Road. Just as he started across the creek, a mallard who was asleep under the bank felt the alarm. But instead of straightening his head and neck up all the way, as is usual, he just lazily lifted his head from his back and turned it toward Steve. For a good long second they stared at each other. Then they took off in opposite directions - the mallard out to open water and Steve straight back to the shop to whittle the lazy mallard before he forgot it.”

“The famous decoy contest in 1948,” writes Quintina Colio on the heritage of decoys, “was held in the Grand Central Palace, New York City, sponsored by Schaefer Brewing Company and the winner was the Ward Brothers, from Crisfield, Maryland. Renowned judges included Wm J. Mackey Jr., Lynn Bogue Hunt and Dr. Edgar Burke.” Joel Barber was also a judge. The Wards’ winning decoy was a very closely related balsa-bodied sleeping mallard drake illustrated in Gard and McGrath’s book.

The underside is marked with the Starr Collection fan ink stamp and the Kramer Collection "MK" brand. Original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: Dr. George Ross Starr Jr. Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired in 1983

Literature: George Ross Starr, Jr., M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," Tulsa, OK, 1974, pl. 37 and p. 265, exact decoy illustrated and discussed. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, front pages. Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, p. 84, pl. 77, related sleeper illustrated. Bob Ridges, "Decoy Ducks," New York, NY, 1988, p. 33, exact decoy illustrated. Willis Henry Auctions, Inc., “Decoy Auction from the collection of Dr. George Ross Starr Jr., August 27 & 28, 1983,” Duxbury, MA, 1983, lot 126, exact pair illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. George Ross Starr Jr. Collection Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired in 1983