Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1910 A sterling Challenge Grade Mason with wonderful dry original paint. A few shot scars on the front left. 1910. They are characterized by a carved notch on the top of the bill and scored outlines that separate the bill from the face, and by a “nail” incised on the end of the bill. Bluebill drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. A Mason that has been repainted is worth significantly less than one with its original paint, even if worn. This decoy sold for $690,000 in an April, 2014 auction. MASON DECOYS Premier blue-winged teal drake , ca. Guyette & Deeter, Inc. | 1210 S. Talbot St, Unit A | PO Box 1170 | St. Michaels, Maryland 21663 . 6). The current record price--$354,500--for a factory decoy was set by a Mason Premier wood duck drake (Fig. Masons are still one of the best buys in decoys. Struck by a few shot. Carver: Mason Weight: 10 Price: $1875. long Original paint with even gunning wear, hen has restoration around tail edge and minor touch-up to neck seam. Antique Mason Decoy Factory Premier Grade Canvasback Drake Hollow Body. Check the bottom of the decoy. MASON DECOY FACTORY CANADA GOOSE DECOY Detroit, Circa 1910 Length 25". 5a–c). Premiers are generally flat-bottomed, which means they rock to a lesser extent when in the water than do round-­bottomed decoys, thus offering a more realistic representation of the action of live ducks. Availability — More Masons were made than any other decoy. Mason's son, Herbert, joined the company. With his wife, Karen, Russ Goldberger is the owner of Russ and Karen Goldberger/RJG Antiques in Rye, New Hampshire. In the making splits have been factory filled in the back and in one area a piece of paint has flaked off … favorites, share collections and connect with others. Unlike the original models, this grade had three price levels determined by the decoy’s eyes: glass, tack, or painted (see price list). Be the first to see new listings and weekly events. Fig. The decoy is in excellent original paint and has Mason’s best “Snakey Head” styling. Challenge Mallard Hen, Early A Mason decoy’s value is determined by its rarity weighed against its degree of originality. I can restore your objects to an acceptable appearance. Coot Decoy. Bluebill drake, Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, Michigan. In the early 1900s the Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) of Detroit, Michigan, advertised themselves as the "Largest Manufacturers Of High Grade Decoys In The World!" 7: Mason Premier Grade goldeneye drake, ca. Ideas How-Tos, Home Tours and Designer Tips - Oh My! Some professional restoration is acceptable and perhaps preferable to most collectors as long as the seller has made it known prior to purchase. Fig. Mason Premier Grade mallard hen decoy ca 1915 in fine OP with average in use wear. Learn how to take your home from blah Mason Decoys, when in original condition, have shown to hold their value over many other decoy carvers. CONDITION: Much original paint with minor wear; areas of paint restoration; small amount of glue visible at neck seat. Mason’s next best offering was its Challenge Grade (Fig. Rare 'Challenge Grade' Merganser by the Mason Decoy Factory, Detroit, MI c.1910. Very few decoys by other classic makers can be purchased for comparable amounts. (The company survives today as BASF's Inmont Division's R-M high quality line of automotive paints.). 4). Mason Decoys: A Complete Pictorial Guide After 1905, Mason began to offer its least expensive and most popular line--its Standard Grade (Figs. Provider: Mason Contractors Association of America Discipline: Masonry Products Credits: 3.00 When designed, detailed and constructed correctly, masonry materials can literally last forever; however, rarely do the design assumptions, detail and construction happen perfect to specifications. Masonry Repair and Restoration Techniques. By 1903 Mason had purchased a pattern lathe to produce rough blanks of his decoy bodies. If the decoy looks new, it is unlikely to be an antique. They continued the business until 1939, when owner William E. Pratt died and the company was sold to the Animal Trap Decoy Company of Lititz, Pennsylvania, who continued production until the 1960s. Mason And Factory Decoy Group - Decoys For Restoration Or Hunting $83.00 Duck Decoy Glass Eyes Wood Decoys Hunting Ducks Gun Hunter Antique Evans Mason $107.50 Darkfeather Freedman Mason Style Glass Eye Blue-winged Teal Drake Duck Decoy $99.99 Darkfeather Freedman Mason Style Painted Eye Green-wing Teal Drake Duck Decoy $99.99 Darkfeather Freedman Mason Style Glass Eye … A Mason Premier Mallard Drake Decoy (for restoration). Length 25". Their hand-painted detail can rival that of the best decoys by individual makers (Fig. These include: * Condition: Original paint and no/little restoration command the highest prices. The Mason Company offered a wide variety in all grades of ducks and shorebirds as well as geese, brant, crows, doves, and swans, only discontinuing its line of shorebird decoys when the hunting of shorebirds was outlawed by the Federal Migratory Waterfowl Act of 1918. Provenance: Len Carnaghi The Decoy University Contact Us 3 restoration : should i or shouldn't i? (603) 433-1770 or Email this Business (419) 494-9380. Letter Mason in Stock Buy Letter Mason on eBay now! Two white patches identify the species as a rare surf scoter. With the passing of his father in 1905, Herbert proved to be an astute businessman and increased profits through advertising. A Mason, premiere grade wood duck sold for $354,000 at an auction in 2000 and was later sold in 2014 for $690,000! Founder William James Mason (mid-1800s-1905) and his successors would be pleased to learn that their quest for quality is still recognized in today's marketplace. Neck filler or tail chips if they detract from the aesthetic appeal of a decoy. No bill delineation was used beyond contrasting paint patterns. // This goes in the body where you want the email link inserted Black Duck Fitzpatrick. 4). ($300 - $500) Mason assigned its best painters to its Premiers, resulting in natural looking intricate details and colors appropriate to specific species. 1) in January 2000. (The company survives today as BASF’s Inmont Division’s R-M® high quality line of automotive paints.) Lathes, band saws, and sanders were installed, and skilled painters, most likely from the defunct Peterson and Dodge factories, were hired. A tightened crack in the bill and minor touch up to the neck seam are the only imperfections to this near The “nail” on the end of the bill is painted, not incised. 7325 County Rd. Standards were round-bottomed; Glasseye and Tackeye models were fatter than Painted Eyes. 2) was directly influenced by examples from Peterson. Pintail Decoy. Bodies were turned on a lathe with little carving detail, and where head and body did not meet, neck putty was added and painted over to match. Description MASON DECOY FACTORY PREMIER GRADE BLACK DUCK DECOY Detroit, Early 20th Century Original paint with minor wear. 65. Some spots of paint flaking on the back. Masons in the best original condition have proven the best values. Sold by mail order companies like Sears and Roebuck, these decoys are almost always solid. 65. Bills, necks or tails often become damaged by use. Free shipping for many products! Bodies were turned on a lathe with little carving detail, and where head and body did not meet, neck putty was added and painted over to match. The business failed in 1888 and it is believed that Mason began producing handmade decoys within the same year, investing his realistically detailed decoys with his intimate knowledge of the physical features and plumage patterns of the ducks, geese, and shorebirds that he observed around the marshes of Lake St. Clair. Masons in the best original condition have proven the best values. Most of today’s collectors prefer this approach. This website uses cookies to track how visitors use our website to provide a better user experience. Sold date:15-Sep-2020 Source:ebay; Vintage Mason Challenge Grade Bluebill Drake Duck Decoy Paint. Measures 14 long. Description: MASON DECOY FACTORY CHALLENGE GRADE MERGANSER HEN DECOY Detroit, Circa 1900 Glass eyes. Sold date:10-Jun-2019 Source:ebay; Vintage Mason Challenge Grade … Get the best deals on Mason Vintage Hunting Duck Decoys when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Sitemap Plover Decoy by Ken Kirby Vintage Marvin Midgette Bull Sprig Decoy Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina NC VA Billy Ellis, Whitby, Ontario 1866-1930, drake mallard decoy, circa 1900's Vintage Original Tom Taber Hersey Kyle They are characterized by a carved notch on the top of the bill and scored outlines that separate the bill from the face, and by a "nail" incised on the end of the bill.