A Listing of available
DUCK & GOOSE DECOYS
Ben Schmidt Redhead Drake. Wonderful old Schmidt in original paint. Age split in neck shows in photo. Paint on sides of body shows wear. Neat lead weight inletted into keel. Great sculptural head, as only Schmidt could do. Exc-. $850
You can take the man out of New Jersey, but you can't take the New Jersey decoys out of the man. Seems lately some of the birds from my old stomping grounds are finding their way to Ohio to join me (again for some of them). Here are three that just showed up. This picture is fuzzy and ALL THREE DECOYS ARE BETTER THAN THEY LOOK HERE!
Capt. Chip Alsop Sleeping Black Duck. Mint as made, the bird shows some distress to simulate use, all done by the maker. Nice husky black, carved in typical Head of the Bay style with Chip's won smooth lines adding to the beauty and grace. $200
Charles "Pete" Wilbur Coot. (A side story I have been waiting to tell for almost 30 years: Seems there were two NJ decoy carvers named Charles, but both of them went by the name Pete. One on the Bay, Pete Wilbur, the other on the Delaware River, Pete Pitman. Has always struck me as an odd coincidence. Now back to the decoys...) Branded CW on the underside and never used. Pete turyly loved carving and talking to anyone stopped by. (He gave me the run of the shop and one time I found and old black duck body in one part of the building and matching head in another! Unkown carver. He said he had no idea both parts were there. Yes, I bought it. Sorry about the digression, but these old NJ decoys bring back memories I had not thought about for a long time. I always wanted to write a book titled New Jersey Carvers, Their Decoys, and the Stories They Told Me.) Unusual species. Mint. $175
Unkown New Jersey, Barnegat Bay, Black Duck. Collecting has grown away from it roots, with inverstors taking over. Few of them would give this guy a glance. Too bad. This decoy has "rode the waves" and has history, wear, anc charm that no unused decoy can compete with. His maker is unknown to use, but the man knew what he was about. Made with dowels to hold the body pieces together during carving, it dates to at least 1880. Why no one in NJ has not done more research and pushed the early decoy dates back like they have in other areas has always frustrated me. Certainly everyone didn't just begin making the finished NJ style in 1880! It had to evolve, that takes time, trial and error, improvements. Anyhow this is a really well made old, old Jersey bird. The eyes are some sort of beads. The tops of them are square and flat. They are NOT taxiderist's eyes! Paint looks original. There is some dry rot on bottom, but all in all the body is complete. Broken neck, as anyone can see. I think it predates the 1880 date by quite a few years. Hollow of course. SOLD (elx)
Misc. shorebirds from Mom and Dad's collection. Left to right, front row:
Dale Dalrymple Peep. One hole in bottom is drilled at two different angles so bird can be feeding, as it is, or upright. Made about 1985. Exc+. $50
Hurley Conklin Sanderling. I remember buying this from Hurley. It is unpainted and unsanded. He thought I was nuts to buy it like that. I liked the way it showed his hand work. May be one of a kind like this. Painted eye and bill, rest natural chip carved cedar. Exc. $145
Middle row, left to right:
Ken Carr Root Head Shorebird. No paint, as Ken made it. Head pinned to body and made of dogwood. Tack eyes. Exc. $60
Unknown Shorebird. I just can't remember who made this, but it is the one my daughter picked out as the best of the bunch. Maybe you know who made it. I do know it was a current (1980s) Jersey Coast carver. Exc. $75
Back row, l to r:
Dale Dalrymple Lesser Yellowlegs. Ca 1978. sold
Dale Dalrymple Roothead Dowitcher. Dogwood head it attached loosely so it can be rotated to different angles. Ca 1977. Exc. $70
Dale Dalrymple Yellowlegs. Ca 1980. Exc. $75
Wildfowler Hudsonian Curlew. I put the full sized crow in the picture for scale. It measures just under 20 inches from bill tip to tail tip, and stands over 15 inches tall. I can't remember is I bought this from Charlie Birdsall or Rick Brown, but it came out of their factory at Point Pleasant, NJ. Photo shows a rub to paint. There is a smaller one on the other side. These two minor rubs are all that keep this guy from being mint. Exc++ A scarce offering from Wildfowler. $150; sale pending 9/16/11
Dale Dalrymple. Some early stuff:
Dale Dalrymple Drake Blue-winged Teal. Hand signed and dated 1984. Some paint crazing around breast. Never weighted (I will gladly weight it for you if you diesire). Exc. SOLD
Dale Dalrymple. Chipped carved crow. That was fun to do and so fast. I did minor knife carving after chopping is out with my hand axe and didn't sand it at all. Just put the paint on and tacks for eyes. SOLD
Dale Dalrymple Gull Flattie. Made of 1/2 inch pine as I recall. Life size. Mint. $24
Dale Dalrymple. Dove Decoy. My dove decoys get rave reviews--from the judges that really count--the doves! Various patterns and each is hand painted mixing oils from tubes, so colors vary slightly--just like the doves themselves. $55 each. These are sold, orders taken.
No, I don't hunt these, but when this guy hit my window I took it as a gift from God, literally. So I made a carving of this delightful little white-breasted nuthatch. Painting these little fellows is challenging. I'm happy with this one. $50. This one SOLD (in 2 days!) I will make one for you. Call or email with orders.
Rufous sided Towhee. What a great name. Alas, the eggheads have changed it to Eastern Towhee. Not much sparkle in that lackluster name. Still a great bird. You may know its call, "Drink-your-tea". My first one. Glass eyes. Mint. This one sold, orders accepted and filled quickly. $55
Dale Dalrymple Junco. Mint. $55 each
Dale Dalrymple Red Breasted Merganser. We don't see these guys in southeast Ohio. This is the first one I have made since moving here 14 years ago. They are so neat, I plan to make some more. This one sold, but I wiil gladly make one for you. $225
Dale Dalrymple Drake Mallards. My latest. Ready to go this fall or entertain you all year on your shelf, or both. Mint. $250
Dale Dalrymple Hen Mallards. My latest. Ready to go this fall or entertain you all year on your shelf. Mint. $250 (Both of these are sold, but it will give you an idea of what my hens look like--I paint each one differently to give the rig a varied look.)
Dale Dalrymple Male Ruddy Duck in winter plumage. Just made with a brand new pattern, patterned from a recent conquest. Hollow cedar, hand carved and hand painted with artists oil paints mixed from scratch by maker. Mint. This one sold, orders accepted. $225 (The shotshell box is there for scale and color. It is an exc condition, colors still bright, somewhat rare 28ga. Peters High Velocity box. I think these boxes were among the prettiest even made by any company. Love them. Empty. $60)
Jack Leach Mallard Drake. Jack was born in New Jersey in 1937. After a military career, he retired to Oregon. There he carved decoys and hunted over them. I "met" him on the phone in the early 1980's after an article on him appearred in Decoy Magazine. This mallard is from his personal gunning rig. It is hollow, measures 17+ inches from bill to tail and is about 7 inches wide. Completely original. Jack worked hard at painting (I know the feeling). He said once he guessed he never would learn how to paint. I think he got it pretty good. His bursh storkes are simple and effective. The bill carving is bold and will done. I believe the shot inside this decoy was put in there by Jack when he made it. Branded J.E.L., his initials. No flaws, about Mint. I feel his decoys are still undervalued. They won't be for long. (Remember not long ago we could pick up a Ben Schmidt for a few hundred bucks) SOLD (olx)
Jack Leach. Green Winged Teal Hen. An exquisite decoy from his own
gunning rig. Branded "J E L". Jack grew up in NJ but began carving after moving to the West
Coast. His decoys are hollow and each is unique. This little gem is as good as they get.
His decoys are under valued and are as nice as any of the "classic" decoy makers, and better than most.
Very realistic and natural with wonderfully painted patterns made
by many interesting brush strokes. He once said to me he doubted if he would ever learn to paint. I think he learned very well! Keel is notched on both ends to wrap line, and has inset lead which is also held with brass screw. Pellet inside was likely put in there by him when made. Excellent used condition. $395.
All of my decoys are hand carved, hand painted, life sized and made to
look like a live bird on the water. Lots of guys make superb decoys
that look exactly like decoys. I try to make my decoys look like
ducks. I have found that works best on the real birds. All are hollow cedar, hand carved
and hand painted with artists oils. I mix colors for each decoy as I paint
it. No paint out of the can. No two of my decoys are alike. I use many different
patterns for each species I carve. It adds realism to the rig. Each is branded with
my name. Hand signed upon request.
Rather than put individual pictures of each decoy on here, I am going to show you a pic of a bunch of them on the shelves ready to go hunting or into your collection. If you have questions about any them I can talk to you about it or send you pictures of those in question. This is a random sample of what I have on hand at present. It will change, sometimes daily, so call 740-698-5060 to get up to the minute availability or to place an order.
Here are my last three black ducks, two used once to good avail, one just finished. The one on bottom, lower left, has sold already. The other two are available. Mint. $250 each
Canada Goose. Full sized and ready for the water. This is the second goose decoy I have
made since my accident. It was quite a handfull to handle in the wheelchair, but I am glad
I stayed with it. I will not be offended if you don't buy it, because I don't mind looking
at it. Head pattern from a goose harvested last season. Hollow cedar and painted by hand with artist's oils.
Sold. Will consider orders.
Dale Dalrymple Pintail Drake. Just finished, and ready for the water or shelf--your choice. Hollow cedar, hand carved and hand painted with oil paints. Mint. sold. Orders accepted.
Dale Dalrymple Wood Ducks. My latest pair. These have headed south to be used in South Carloina. I will make you one or more. All you have to do is place an order. Price per bird is $250.
Dale Dalrymple Brant. I made this pattern in 1999 and never used it until now. My two daughters worked on it with me, so noted on the pattern. I think it is the best pattern I have had. I may even make more...$250.
Dale Dalrymple Canvasback Drake. Hollow cedar, artist's oil paints. Our season was a bust, so this one is still Mint. $225.
Dale Dalrymple Shoveller Pair. I don't make many shovellers, although they are fun to make. This pattern came from a shoveller I took on a hunting trip with George Strunk many years ago. Brings back good memories. The hen has been sold, $250 for the drake.
Dale Dalrymple Harlequin Drake. After more than a quarter century of carving, this is the very first Harlequin decoy I have made! $250
Dale Dalrymple Drake Mallard in Swimming position. This one has sold, but I can make you something like it. Carving will be close, paint may vary, as I try new techniques on each one I paint. $250
Dale Dalrymple Ringnecked Duck Pair. Patterns from a ringneck my German Shorthaired Pointer, Klipper, actually pointed! Head patterns are different from each other for realism. Rigged and ready to go. I have used these and they look like they are going to dive with each wave, just as designed. I love it when a plan comes together. $450 pair
Dale Dalrymple Bluebill Pair. Hollow cedar, life sized, painted with artist's oils. Both drake and hen are mint. Sold, orders taken.
Dale Dalrymple Redhead Drake. Hollow cedar. Mint. $225, this one is sold, Orders Taken.
Dale Dalrymple Drake Bufflehead, rigged and all ready for the water. $200
Dale Dalrymple Crow Decoy. One of few made. It is hollow and made so it will perch at two different angles to give it two poses so the rig can be vaired. Mint. $155. This one sold, orders accepted.

Dale Dalrymple Green-winged Teal Drake. Hollow cedar, hand carved and
hand painted by me for use in my own decoy rig. Glass eyes. From my own pattern, taken from long years of studying live ducks. Lots of guys can make great decoys that
look like decoys. I have always thought decoys should look like ducks. $395 for the pair. Sale pending on this pair. Orders taken.

Dale Dalrymple Blue-winged Teal Pair. Hollow cedar. The Hen's head pattern is from a bird I harvested last year. Mint. $395 for the pair. This pair has sold. Will take orders for similar.

Dale Dalrymple Coot. Well if you are in the know about what a couple coot decoys can do to enhance a spread when certain other duck species are around, then good. If you don't, ask me. These whimsical little guys were a spur of the momeny idea several years ago. Only solid decoys I have made in the last quater centutry. Colors in top photo are accurate, don't know what happend in the lower one. Shown to show you the different patterns used to give added life to the spread. I made them to bob and weave on the swells so they look busy. Since they are solid I don't have the usual time in them. $145 each, your choice.
L. L. Bean Blue-winged Teal Drake. I believe blue-winged teal were only offered by L L Bean for a year or two in the 1980's. As I do further research I will update you on this. Blue wings are the scarcest of the decoys Bean offered because they were offered for such a short period of time and because the real blue-wings were usually gone before most of our hunting seasons opened. A special teal season was not offered in most states, and blue-wings migrate earlier than any other ducks. Note the body color differences between the two shown. Even the wing templet was applied in different locations from bird to bird. It seems they made it for so short a time they couldn't get the kinks out. Both are Mint $300 each. Mint means without blemish, as made. Too many of the sellers use it wrongly. See the bird below as an example. How many sellers would call the following Blue wing listing mint???? The buyer must beware when buying from the unknowing.
L. L. Bean Blue-winged Teal Drake. Said to have been purchased in the 1970's by it's single owner. Never used. One flake of blue missing from wing on one side, and light brown paint drops on left and rear of head. Still a very nice example of a very rare L L Bean / George Soule Decoy. I rate it at Exc+ Lots of guys are beginning to collect Bean/Soule decoys. Most are opting for cheap and buying birds in poor condition. I feel while prices are still low, buy the best now and reap the benefits later. Look at what has happened to the best examples of other maker's decoys over the years. The best go up the MOST! Bargained priced, considering the exceptional (exc+) condition and rarity, at $245. SALE PENDING
L. L. Bean Green-winged Pair. Made for Bean by George Soule in
1960-80. Never been used. Exc+ condition. Seldom
offered species, some would say "rare". I have one drake left for your collection. Sold
L. L. Bean Oversize Mallard Pair. Both male and female have their heads in sleeping/preening position, very rare. These dwarf the cosatal model, being over 20" long and proportionately thicker. These big guys were only offered for a short time, early on, 1960's maybe. I have noticed most L. L. Bean sellers date their wares way too early. I go from actual Bean catalogs for my dates, so I know they are accurate. This pair is in remarkablly good conditon. Some wear along the bottom edge of the bottom and lower sides, below the water line. Hen is missing one eye. Other than that, they are in exc- used condition. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE OVERSIZED MAGNUM DECOYS WITH THE MUCH MORE COMMON COASTAL MODELS! These big guys are seldom seen and highly sought by true collectors. Sold
L. L. Bean Oversize Mallard. These dwarf the coastal model, being over 20" long and proportionately thicker. These big guys were only offered for a short time, early on, 1960's maybe. I have noticed most L. L. Bean sellers date their wares way too early. I go from actual Bean catalogs for my dates, so I know they are accurate. This is an unusual head pattern. It is bigger and more square on top than most. It is all original and early (has the shoe glue, so late 50s-early60s) Also unusual is the stamp on the keel proclaiming Deluxe Oversize. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE OVERSIZED MAGNUM DECOYS WITH THE MUCH MORE COMMON COASTAL MODELS! These big guys are seldom seen and highly sought by true collectors. Average wear on a scarce pattern make this a great find for the advanced collector. $150
L. L. Bean Oversize Mallard Drake. In remarkable condition, not even dusty after all these years. Colors birght. Never used. This is another of the bigger than Coastal decoys Bean offered occasionally. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE OVERSIZED MAGNUM DECOYS WITH THE MUCH MORE COMMON COASTAL MODELS! These big guys are seldom seen and highly sought by true collectors. Three very small paint flecks on other side of head, else Mint. Still EXC++. Would be hard to find a better one. Scarce. Sold
L L Bean Oversize Broadbill Pair. These were
SPECIAL ORDER OVERSIZE decoys (much larger than the oversized Coastal Models) with special deepwater keels. All completely George Soule for L L Bean. They measure 20" by (' by 8 1/2" to top of heads and 4" thick bodies with 3" keels. They show honest use and have perhaps a 10% paint loss to the heads (mosly on the bills). Bodies are sound with no cork loss and intact paint. Overall very good. Rare offering. Pair $220
For more information or to purchase any of the above items please email or
give me a call.
Updated daily.
Dale Dalrymple
Dale's Decoy Den
32210 McGinnis Rd
Albany, Ohio 45710
740-698-5060
or
via email:
dale@dalesdecoyden.com

Back to Dales Home Page
There have been
visitors to this page.