Ward Brothers Bluebill Drake

The Ward Brothers, Lemuel T. (1896-1983) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1936

In 1936, Dr. Edgar Burke (1889-1950), a famed illustrator of sporting books, took delivery of a pair of broadbills and three other pairs of decoys from Lem Ward and his brother, Steve. Dr. Burke gave Lem a painting of a pintail in flight, which he proudly hung in his home for many years.

Dr. Burke was a lifelong friend of sporting author Eugene V. Connett who in 1947, inspired by Dr. Burke, edited a book titled Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater which chronicled the early days of waterfowl hunting along the Atlantic. Contributing chapters to the book were A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952), Charles “Shang” Wheeler (1872-1949), and Dr. Burke. In addition to writing a chapter, Burke also lent images of his Ward Brothers decoys and illustrated color plates of ducks in flight. This broadbill drake is from that group of now-famous Ward Brothers decoys purchased by William J. Mackey, Jr. from Dr. Burke’s family.

This decoy is an extremely rare 1936 model pinch-breast greater scaup drake exhibiting a turned head, glass eyes, detailed bill carving, outstanding stippled paint, and lined primary feather detail. While the Ward Brothers are known to have made pinch-breast canvasbacks and several pintails, this is one of the rarest Ward pinch-breast forms of all. Considered by many to be the finest Ward Brothers broadbill known to exist, this folk art carving ranks among the greatest examples of the species we have ever seen.

The bottom is signed by the maker “Lem Ward, Crisfield, MD 1936” and also bears William Purnell, Jr’s “W.H.P. jr.” brand. Outstanding original paint with minimal wear, a tight original age line down back and along bottom.

Provenance: Dr. Edgar Burke Collection, acquired directly from the Ward Brothers William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection

Literature: Eugene V. Connett, ed., Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater, New York, NY, 1947, p. 129, exact decoy illustrated. John T. Ordeman and M.C. Weiler, Jr., The Art of Milton C. Weiler, Hilton Head Island, SC, 2011, p. 104, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Dr. Edgar Burke Collection, acquired directly from the Ward Brothers William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection