Reginald I. Culver Exemplary Bluebill Drake

Reginald Culver (1897-1975) Stratford, CT, c. 1950 13 in. long

In 1912 Culver began apprenticing for famed decoy carver Roswell Bliss. That same year, carver Ben Holmes died and Culver purchased his unfinished blocks from his widow. The underside is penned "This is a Ben Holmes decoy 9/17/1966. Tom Marshall." It has excellent combed vermiculation and bill carving. Strong original paint with even gunning wear.

Literature: Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys- Carvers and Gunners," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 94, exact bird illustrated.