Up for sale is an authentic, Antique Chesapeake Bay Region, "Lesser Scaup Drake" Duck Decoy made into an award and presented to Former Governor Marvin Mandell of Maryland in 1976.  The decoy itself is a true Saint Mary's County Chesapeake Working Decoy, probably circa late 1890's-1920's.  It is very old, hand carved, and made with a blue bill and features a solid wood body with yellow painted eyes and black and grey paint.  It is mounted to a board with an inscribed plate from the Governor's Blessing of the Fleet in 1976.  It is signed on the underside of the wood board, "Made in St. Mary's County Maryland" by the President of the Optimist Chief, 7th District and dated, "Sept. 26, 1976".  This is a wonderful one of a kind piece of Chesapeake Bay and Maryland History!

The form and style is looks great for an antique hand carved decoy.  It is in good condition for age with many imperfections and areas of wear from usage appropriate to age that makes it look amazing.  Please see all photos and make offers accordingly.

This decoy measures roughly 13 1/4" long, the body is 7 3/8" tall, and it is about 6 1/4" wide.  The square base measures 12 3/9" x 9".  A very unusual styled nice quality decoy and a extraordinary piece of early Authentic American Folk Art, a great decoy for any collection.  Please see my other auctions for more early pieces of Americana and folk art including more early decoys I have decided to sell from my personal collection acquired over the last 35 years in the antiques business. 

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