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At the decoy appraisal, I finished all of this at 3:30 p.m. and it
was time to head home to start the detailed fine-tuning and research
of the appraisal.

Digging Deeper
For the next two weeks, I researched, checked, and rechecked my
observations, attributions, etc. I keep a large personal file of decoy
carvers, where they lived, and their bios. If I do not know who carved
a decoy, I usually will call a few of my associates who might know. On
more than on an occasion, it happens that no one can identify a decoy.
This is because the carver might have only carved 6 to 12 birds in his
lifetime and has passed, and all who knew him have long passed, so we
may never know who carved certain decoys.
I was privileged to set up and run one of the earliest decoy 1880s Dunscomb Lead shot dispenser. Value $1,000
identification research and study sites that was non-commercial (no
decoy sales) and dedicated strictly to identifying decoys. It ran for about Put It in Writing
10 years. Now there are decoy forums, books, and museum The Appraisal is then written with each individual item and its
memberships that send out Carver profile literature to help people corresponding number listed as the “Appraised Work” and listing if the
identify carvers. piece was previously appraised, pictures, any markings, brands or
stampings, nationality, description, age, condition, original cost, and
any other pertinent information. In this case, all the information was
combined with all of the insurance required legalese resulting in an
estimated 63-page report/appraisal that took 73 hours and included a
1,300-mile round trip. A required meeting with the client to present the
appraisal was made and the appraisal is signed off on by both parties
and finished. As a follow-up, I will typically notify the client that the a
ppraisal should be updated to reflect market changes.

This Pintail duck decoy was carved by Illinois River Carver William “Billy” Shaw Keeping Up
(1849-1927) of Lacon, Illinois c. 1880s. The metal strap neck repair is I often am asked how I keep up with market trends and changes.
attributed to Charles Perdew, whose wife, Edna, repainted it. A little-known I put aside three+ hours each day for nothing but research. In the past,
fact is that Charles Perdue hardly ever painted his own decoys. His Wife I have attended up to 13 antique firearms, prehistoric & historic
Edna was given that chore. Billy Shaw carved much like Steven Lane
of Lacon. Very few can differentiate between these two carvers. artifacts, and Decoy shows a year in different parts of the country, and
subscribe to several auction realized sites among others. I still do some
of this just to keep current.
The picture of the two heads show a
Lane head carving (right) as compared
to Billy Shaw (left). You notice that the Wrap-up
cheeks are puffier and the head crown Collection appraisals are not cheap, but this article gives you an idea
thinner on the Shaw decoy. One of the of what is involved. A good appraisal pays for itself if your collection is
traits I look for. Value: $625 insured and is lost, stolen, or destroyed. It also pays for itself if used for
nothing other than a catalog for your heirs if anything should happen
to you before the collection is dispersed.
I love to be able to participate in assessing history, but I tell all who
Organizing the Information, Looking for Value I come in contact with that when it comes to selecting an appraiser,
After the research, all gathered information is then placed next to anyone who says they know it all – run from them as fast as you can.
the corresponding number given to each appraised item. The next step Always ask an appraiser if he or she specializes in the items you want
in the process is finding comparable items that have sold in the past to be appraised. Even then we only do our best, and no one knows
three years at auction. After finding three or more like items that have everything about anything. I learn something every day.
sold, the sales price plus commissions are averaged, then scrutinized by
the appraiser who might give a higher or lower value determined by the *Permission was given by the owner to use the pictures and information.
appraiser’s knowledge and experience with assessing certain attributes
of the item being appraised. David L Moore Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser

Illinois river crow decoy signed JS on
the bottom. JS is John Sullivan of
Antioch, Illinois. Value: $275

David Moore is part of the school’s “Ask The Experts” appraising
team, and is an honors graduate and “Certified” Asheford Institute
of Antiques Appraiser. Mr. Moore is the owner of Waterman’s
This canvasback duck decoy was carved by Charles Nelson Barnard of Antiques, was President of the Indiana Archaeo logical Society, and
Havre de Grace Maryland c. 1900. The over-paint is attributed to early is a published author, with over 50 years of experience in the
Madison Mitchell. Value: $1,850. research and study of antiques and collectibles.

Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques &
Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com.

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