Don (1923-2009) enjoying Jimmy Julia's banter at the Guyette & Schmidt Spring Auction, April 2007 with his wife Almira
I am sad to report it is time to say goodbye to another 'ole guard' decoy collector. Don Clark, Henry, Illinois passed away December 16, 2009. Clark was born and lived his whole life in Henry. He became a part Illinois duck hunting lore, guiding at the prestigious Swan Lake Club for over 50 years and later serving as the caretaker of the Horseshoe Duck Club. As a young man he was personal friend of Charlie and Edna Perdew Like many men, his love of duck hunting led him to decoy collecting. Don and his wife, Almira are well known among the Midwest decoy collecting circle. For over 40 years they hosted the Henry Decoy Show which is known as the best one day decoy show in the Midwest drawing hundreds of decoy collectors, duck hunters and local supporters each year in February. Clark was instrumental in efforts to preserve Perdew's legacy through the Charles Perdew Museum Association as a charter member and the Association's president.
What better way to spend a cold windy winter day than at the computer! Fellow collector passed on a link to to recent article by Chris Niskanen which appeared in the St Paul Pioneer Press on Doug Lodermeier's new book Minnesota Duck Decoys - Yesterday's and Today's Folk Artists This page also features an interview with Doug. Makes you anxious for the next decoy show which is the Minneasota Decoy Collectors Show. Check my DECOY SHOW link for more information.
Guess I don't have to remind anyone about the upcoming Guyette & Schmidt Spring Auction which will feature the Joe French Collection. Martin Willis has a great website, Antique Action Podcast, which features interviews and information on a variety of antique topics. You may have to download a new add on to listen to the interview, but it only take a few minutes and I think you'll find this an interesting site and will listen in again for upcoming interviews. The latest interview is with Gary Guyette dicussing decoy collecting and the up coming auction including the French Collection. Of course the G&S website also has newly update information on the sale
Joe and I have made it back to South Dakota with lots of great duck and goose hunting memories from our Saskatchewan trip. Saw lots of ducks through North Dakota on our drive up and there were lots of ducks, Canadas and snow geese in Saskatchewan. Hunting was good even though it was usually warm and crops were weeks behind. Very little of the crops were harvest while we were there.
Got lots of good feedback on the virtual tour of our collection. Hope everyone has a chance to view it under our collections link above. For those who commented that the slide shows move too quickly, I have been playing with a new program that will let you view the slides at your own speed. Use Slideshows link above. Now anyone can stop the slide show for a closer look and restart the show again. I will be adding slide shows as I can develope them. Hope you enjoy the show!
Joe and I are having a wonderful time hunting in Saskatchewan again this year. The weather is unseasonaly warm but the hunting is still been good. In addition to photos and videos from last year's trip posted on MySpace (search under 'oldsquaw47@yahoo.com')I have posted recent photos here if anyone is interested.
Would like to remind everyone that Joe Tonelli offers a brokering service to decoy collectors. If you are looking for a certain piece to round off your collection or just getting started, Joe has been dealing in waterfowling decoys and gamecalls for 40 years and is always willing to pay cash for one decoy or an entire collection. He handles waterfowl and fish decoys, gamecalls, tackle, cover art, and related folk art. Also as Midwest representative of Guyette & Schmidt Decoy Inc, Joe is qualified to do insurance and estate appraisals. He can be reached at 605-481-2811 or 815-664-4580
Just a quick reminder my collectibles books are available here and make great gifts. Each has a broad selection of sporting collectibles featured in high quality full color photography. Use my Books link for information on all of my books on hunting and fishing collectibles. Click here for printable order form for all my books under BOOKS link. I always have books on hand and will personalize one for you. Remember books make great gifts. Surprise your sportsman with a copy. Even if he isn't a collector, he will still enjoy it! Sorry I'm not set up to accept credit cards; personal check or money order will do.
SO ORDER YOURS TODAY!!!
Also I would like to invite you all to join me on a journey into the past with a new project I have started: The History of the MDCA
This will be an ongoing series of articles beginning in the beginning with the first show held in Ottawa Illinois, May 7 1966. I have gathered together lots of photos and information from this show that I think you will find interesting
