Makers / Jess Heisler / Black Duck

Jess Heisler Oversize Tucked-head Black Duck

Jess Heisler (1891-1943) Burlington, NJ, c. 1920

Jess Heisler – Oversize Tucked-Head Black Duck – 2019
$1,920
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $1,000–$1,400over estimate
Sold 25 Jul 2019at The Sporting Sale 2019 — Copley

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesBlack DuckSize20"PaintOriginal

The catalog record

Jess Heisler (1891-1943) Burlington, NJ, c. 1920 20 in. long

An oversize "rocking horse" black duck made for weathering rough waters. According to authors Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, "Heisler was known as a quality boat builder as well as a first class professional decoy maker...He made his bodies of western cedar." A stylized "CAP" brand is visible under the tail. Original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: Private Collection, Rhode Island

Literature: H. Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, "Floating Sculptures: The Decoys of the Delaware River," Spanish Fork, UT, 1982, p. 73, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, Rhode Island

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Jess Heisler Black Ducks to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
26 Sep 2026——$480
Sep 2026GoodOriginal$4,200
Jul 2026GoodOriginal$1,800
Jul 2026—Original$900
Jul 2026—Original$660

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