Ward Brothers The Surace Ward Canada Goose

The Ward Brothers Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, 1943 24 in. long Frank Surace was one of the earliest decoy collectors from Long Island and one of the Long Island Decoy Collectors Association's founding members in 1971. A review of Surace’s collection reveals that by no means did he limit himself to the region. Indeed, he and his friends William Mackey and Milt Weiler traveled together with a briefcase full of cash on decoy-picking road trips.

A large, cedar-bodied goose displaying a head which is slightly turned and finished with some of the greatest refinement seen in an any of Steve's waterfowl decoys. The low neck seat sweeps into a grand cedar body with a high tail. The decoy was finished with Lem's seemingly effortless blending and feathering. The underside of the carving is signed by both Lem and Steve and dated 1943. Excellent original paint with moderate gunning wear, original fill to tight age lines in underside and back. Rubs to tail and bill edges.

Provenance: Frank Surace Collection Private Collection, acquired from the above in 1973

Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, pp. 112-113, related geese illustrated.

Provenance

Frank Surace Collection Private Collection, acquired from the above in 1973