Charles Schoenheider, Sr. The Humbracht-schoenheider Goose

Charles S. Schoenheider, Sr. (1854-1924) Peoria, IL, c. 1918 20 3/4 in. tall and 23 1/2 in. long

"In 1918 Schoenheider produced what is recognized today as perhaps the most exceptional rig of Illinois River goose decoys ever made. It was comprised of two floaters and ten standing geese, all being hollow-bodied and constructed of multi-layered laminated pieces of white pine. The standing geese were individually mounted on a single cast iron leg with a broad, webbed foot. These large birds with their graceful necks, fully-rounded bodies, and distinctively carved heads and bills are an emblem of the early refinement of the Illinois decoy as well as the creative spirit of the individual carver." — Tandy Lacy, "The Wooden Bird," 1989

While Schoenheider produced very few decoys, the carver's impact on the region's decoy portfolio was significant. Although he carved many species of floating decoys, mallards, pintails, and Canada geese were the only species known to be represented in his standing carvings, which were balanced on a metal foot. His famous goose rig was originally commissioned by Daniel W. Vorhees in 1918 and consisted of only twelve decoys, with at least one floater. A vintage photo of the rig shows six standing geese with alert upright neck positions; this decoy is one of only four with the deeper neck curve pattern.

This decoy was obtained circa 1967 by major Midwest decoy collector William Humbracht, of Bartlett, Illinois. According to Americana collector and decoy specialist Randy Root, Humbracht started collecting as early as the 1940s and had a diverse collection that included American furniture and Kentucky rifles. Ahead of his time, Humbracht focused on quality. A testament to the high standard he set, upon his death, when the collection was sold at Oliver's auction in 1988, Jackson Parker reported Humbracht's 130 Illinois River decoys selling for a then-astonishing average of over $3,400 per lot.

Tandy Lacy chose this decoy for "The Wooden Bird" exhibition. This is the first decoy pictured within the accompanying book. She reports that it "sold at Richard Oliver's Kennebunk, Maine, gallery in the July of 1988 auction for $66,000, attaining a world record price for an Illinois River decoy."

Adele Earnest was an early champion of this rig and acquired four of the geese. She featured two examples in her 1984 book, "Folk Art in America: A Personal View." Two of the Earnest birds were acquired by Donal C. O'Brien Jr., one of which was subsequently traded to the Shelburne Museum. The Shelburne goose most recently graced the cover of the museum's 2017 book, "Birds of a Feather," where it is described as "one of the crown jewels of the collection." The other O'Brien goose set a world-record price for the maker and for any Illinois River decoy at auction. Noted Illinois River decoy collector Thomas K. Figge also acquired two examples, with one on display in the Center for American Decoys at the Peoria Riverfront Museum and one in "Masterworks of the Illinois River" book. Most recently, three standing Schoenheider geese from the Peterson Collection were chosen for the front cover of Ducks Unlimited's "The Canada Goose: Etched in Time, Carved in Wood" exhibition book. The Peterson Collection holds two of the fully curved neck decoys.

The Humbracht goose relates closely to the O'Brien goose and the Shelburne Museum goose. This exact Humbracht bird was prominently featured on the cover of the September/October 1988 issue of "Decoy Magazine" above the title "Schoenheider Standing Goose Breaks Record Price at Auction." In the same year, it again took center stage in the magazine's "Year In Review" issue as the top decoy of the year, surpassing a Caines Brothers mallard, a Crowell Cunningham rig bufflehead, and a Boyd hissing Canada goose.

The Humbracht goose, known for its exceptional form, condition, and paint, was one of the top picks from the Schoenheider rig. It features the maker's laminated construction, original cast-metal foot, and minimal flaking. Apparently proud of this carving, "Chas S" is signed in pencil twice on the left flank.

With its grand presence, excellent condition, original foot, and strong provenance, this is one of the finest Schoenheider decoys to ever cross the auction block. Original paint with light wear, some typical flaking on back of neck has been darkened, and some touch-up to reset neck and original head seam. Original foot.

Provenance: Charles Schoenheider Jr., by descent in the family Joe Tonelli, acquired from the above Daryl Drennen, acquired from the above William Humbracht Collection, acquired from the above, circa 1967 Charles Hunter Collection Private Collection, New Jersey

Literature: Tandy Lacy, “The Wooden Bird: Heritage Bird Carvers of the Upper Illinois River Valley,” Washburn, IL, 1989, p. iv, exact decoy illustrated and discussed. "Decoy Magazine," The 1988 Year in Review,1989, cover, pp. 3 and 5, exact decoy illustrated. "Decoy Magazine," September/October 1988, cover, p. 3, exact decoy illustrated. Adele Earnest, "Folk Art In America," Exton, PA, 1984, p. 132, rigmates illustrated. Robert Shaw, “Bird Decoys of North America,” New York, NY, 2010, pp. 246-247, rigmate decoys illustrated. Loy S. Harrell Jr., "Decoys: North America’s One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, pp. 184-185, rigmate illustrated. Kory W. Rogers, “Birds of a Feather,” Shelburne, VT, 2017, front cover and pp. 132-133, rigmate illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, “The Donal C O’Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Session III,” Hingham, MA, July 19, 2018, back cover and lot 20, rigmate illustrated. Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 45, rigmate illustrated. Mark Petrie, "The Canada Goose: Etched In Time, Carved In Wood," 2025, front cover and pp. 116-117 and 253, rigmates illustrated.

Provenance

Charles Schoenheider Jr., by descent in the family Joe Tonelli, acquired from the above Daryl Drennen, acquired from the above William Humbracht Collection, acquired from the above, circa 1967 Charles Hunter Collection Private Collection, New Jersey