By Bruce Urben, PresidentThis article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July Volunteer Newsletter edition.
Here is another opportunity to support the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association and obtain some antique or contemporary carved decoys donated by some of the most talented Wisconsin carvers around as well as several others from our midwest neighbors.
Grant Cole, owner of Auctioneers Incorporated from Buelah, Michigan has agreed to support the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association by listing 12 donated decoys on his online auction catalog for their August 4th online and in-person auction being held in Cadillac, Michigan. This is one of the premiere decoy auctions in the country. The auction catalog is up, online right now and you can bid online now until the auction closing on Sunday, August 4th. You can visit the website to view the auction here.
A Bill Koelpin, Jr. Hen Ring Neck decoy will support WWA at auction
There are over 6 pages of decoys and over 300 lots of sporting collectibles listed, but the WWA donated decoys begin at lot #’s 287 thru 296 on pages 6 & 7. You can confirm the WWA donated decoys in the narrative that is written on each of the 12 lots.
Decoys were donated by nationally recognized and acknowledged carvers, including William Koelpin Jr. of Oconomowoc, Pat Gregory of Bloomington, IL, Michael Guth from Metamora, IL, Bob Swan of Edgertom, WI, Jeff Galat from Fox Grove, IL, Mark Berquist from Hayward, WI. Mike Pierce from Wausau, WI, Steve Stratton from Appleton, WI, former WWA Director Mark Kakatsch from Oconomowoc, WI and even one from me, current WWA President Bruce Urben. These decoys include both decorative and working pieces.
WWA President Bruce Urben donated this Barrows Golden Eye Drake to support WWA
These contemporary carved decoys are one of a kind and were carved specially for WWA and are not available for purchase outside of this event.
In addition, two antique decoys made by Gus Moak (1920’s) and August Nelow (early 1900’s) are included, both highly collected carvers from the Winnebago lakes area of Wisconsin (see the linked decoy corner articles on these carvers for more information on them).
Grant Cole’s Michigan Auctioneers, Inc., is one of the most respected sporting collectibles auction houses in the nation and specializes in waterfowl decoys.
This early Gus Nelow Canvasback Drake is part of the auction to support WWA
Registering for the auction is easy and can be done right online by following the prompts. The site is secure and insured. Any winning auction bid decoys are mailed directly to you following the closing. You can bid online and watch the bidding process online in real time when the live auction starts at 10 am, August 4th, EST (9:00 am Wisconsin time). More information about the online auction is included on the auction website.
I can assure you that online auctions in real time have the same thrill and anticipation as any “in person” auction you have attended.
Support WWA and hopefully make the winning bid for one of these pieces of “floating sculpture” that will grace any hunting rig or mantel!
Good luck, enjoy the auction and thank you for your continued support.