Swan Song

Editor's Note -- The rapid decline in the Decoy market may realize a turnaround this weekend at the National Antique Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show, according to the Wall Street Journal. 


Guyette & Schmidt Inc. of Maryland will conduct the show's auctions, as usual. "Over the years, we have sold about $125 million of decoys," says Gary Guyette, president. "We used to have $14-million years, but now we have $6-million years." 

Glory days no more:  This rare red-breasted merganser hen decoy sold for $856,000 in 2007, breaking the world auction record for an American waterfowl decoy.  Photo courtesy of Christie's Images Ltd.

Going, going, gone: There are only a handful of surviving Birch swans. This one is in original paint

Mr. Guyette promises many auction lots that are "fresh to the market," including a swan made in the 1930s by Virginia boat-builder and fisherman Charles Birch. The piece is expected to sell for between $125,000 and $140,000.


Editor's note --  Flippantly Florida hopes WSJ realizes Guyette must sell a whole bunch of ducks this weekend to make up for $8 million in lost revenue.

WSJAE Arts+Entertainment 

 by KarenAGardner

Decoy Market, After Decline, Tests Its Wings http://on.wsj.com/hczq53

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