Makers / Richard Janson / Canvasback

Richard Janson Canvasback Pair

"Fresh Air Dick" Janson (1872-1951) Sonoma Creek, CA, c. 1930

$2,640
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $3,000–$5,000under estimate
Sold Feb 2025at Copley, February 2025

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesCanvasbackConfigPairSize15"Quantity2

The catalog record

"Fresh Air Dick" Janson (1872-1951) Sonoma Creek, CA, c. 1930 15 in. long

Often regarded as the West Coast's most renowned maker, Janson carved this canvasback pair with incised bill and tail detail. Excellent representations of the maker's carving, both feature Janson's integrated keels carved out of the backside. The drake's head is slightly turned. Drake is in original paint with light gunning wear and some white touch-up, mostly towards the keel area and to one spot on back. Hen is in repaint.

Provenance: Trenton Spolar M.D. Collection

Literature: Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast," Davis, CA, 1986, front cover, similar carvings illustrated.

Provenance

Trenton Spolar M.D. Collection

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Richard Janson Canvasbacks to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Apr 2026—Original$1,200
Apr 2025——$3,300
Apr 2025—Original$960
Nov 2024—Original$4,200
Apr 2024—Original$2,700

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Richard Janson sales