A U C T I O N S
Oldsquaw hen by Joe Lincoln of Hingham, Massachusetts (est. $74,750/86,250) brought $74,750, the top lot in the auction.
DECOYS UNLIMITED AUCTION
New England decys and decoratives bring top dollars
An oldsquaw hen by Joe Lincoln of Accord Village, Massachusetts sold at its low estimate $74,750 at Decoys Unlimited’s annual Cape Cod auction on July 26-27, 2015 at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, Massachusetts. It was the top lot in a sale that was dominated by New England decoys and decoratives, which accounted for the 13 highest-priced lots in the auction, as well as 20 of the top 27. A Lincoln miniature hissing Canada goose at $5175 tied for last place on that list.
A dozen lots by A.E. Crowell of East Harwich, Massachusetts made the list, topped by an early pre-stamp redhead with carved and crossed wingtips at its low estimate $46,000. There were three ducks with oval stamps: red-breasted merganser at $20,700, pintail at $13,800 and mallard at $11,500, all selling at their low estimates. A high-head bluebill topped estimate at $6325 and a canvasback made its high estimate $5750. A running yellowlegs, the only shorebird on the list, sold for its low estimate $16,100.
The only Crowell life-sized screech owl we’ve ever seen topped estimate at $14,950. Two additional life-sized decoratives, a least sandpiper and a tern, brought $11,500 and $7475. A set of 25 waterfowl miniatures made estimate at $28,750 and a pair of miniature Canada geese mounted on a single base topped estimate at $8913.
A standing decorative wood duck by Charles “Shang” Wheeler of Stratford, Connecticut sold just short of estimate at $34,500. An oldsquaw in winter plumage by Orlando “Os” Bibber of South Harpswell, Maine just missed estimate at $23,000. A hollow-carved black duck by a member of the Pease family of Martha’s Vineyard made estimate at $20,700.
