Collecting Stevens Decoys
Appraisal, Acquisitions and Auction Consulting
Contact Shane Newell, Collector & Author
shane @ stevensdecoys.com
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| Shane Newell |
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I began collecting decoys in 1987 after reading Joel Barber’s book, Wildfowl Decoys. I still enjoy reading it and I can gaze at length at the captivating photograph of Mr. Barber’s decoy collection representing various carvers and regions. However, by taking the advice of savvy decoy collectors I planned to concentrate my collecting and study of decoys to one particular area or maker. Symmetry, balance, and simplicity of design have always appealed to me, so it is no wonder that I was instantly attracted to Stevens decoys of Weedsport, New York. Living only three hours from Weedsport I expected to find decoys for my collection with a little effort and some money. Before long I became immersed in a fascinating and detailed study, and was investing a good deal more time, effort and money than I anticipated. Of course, like most collectors I enjoyed every part of it.
I truly believe Stevens decoys are unique by their distinctive design, incomparable artistic quality and rich paint. The decoys of Harvey A. Stevens and George W. Stevens decoys are tremendous American folk art pieces to be enjoyed by the most discerning collectors.
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| Stevens Brothers Decoys displayed at the Clayton Decoy Show, Thousand Islands, NY July 2008 |
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The Stevens Brothers Decoys
The Stevens Brothers were descendents of Captain William Stevens who was born in England and migrated to America in time to participate in the Boston Tea Party. Harvey was the son of William Stevens, Jr. born in 1847 and Perry, Royal, George and Fred born thereafter. Harvey spent his days as a market gunner and guide on the Montezuma Marshes. He was also a very skillful taxidermist, but his true ambition was to be renowned as a manufacturer of quality duck decoys.
Harvey Stevens first began advertising his fine decoys in September 1876 in the popular Rod & Gun publication. Harvey is recognized as the first decoy maker to produce decoys for a national market. Harvey had promoted himself as a “Manufacturer of Duck Decoys,” while all the time he was hand-shaving the decoys at his bench in the small wood shop with the help of his younger brothers, George and Fred. Harvey dreamed of “making it big,” and it is ironic that his own ambition and pronouncement in his advertising of being a “manufacturer” would later result in the misnomer “Stevens Factory.”
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"You can kill ducks with a cheap gun and good stools, but you can't decoy the old ducks with your fine gun and poor decoys; they will detect them at once. A good set of Decoys produce the finest shooting that the world affords"
Harvey A. Stevens, 1888, Weedsport, NY
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| George & Harvey Stevens Goldeneye Drake Decoys |
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| George & Harvey Stevens Stencil & Stamp |
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About the Book - The Essential Guide To Stevens Decoys
I call this book the Essential Guide because it is intended to convey the practical understanding that is indispensable when investing in a Stevens Decoy. I do not illustrate the details of construction that aren’t useful when inspecting a Stevens decoy that you are considering buying. The section entitled “Five Ways to Identify a Stevens Decoy” will teach you how to recognize, authenticate, attribute and date a decoy made by Harvey and George Stevens and consequently how to avoid buying a fake, a decoy with repairs, or one that has been restored; well, at least without knowing that you are.
I first published The Essential Guide To Stevens Decoys Volume One in April 2004. I followed up with a Collector's Edition as a complete pictorial book of Stevens decoys in April 2008. The Collector's Edition book contains a pictorial guide of color plates and records of many more decoys in a hardcover format.
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