The "Missing" Schmiedlin Canada Goose by Jim Schmiedlin (1945-2015)

Lot 479

About Seller

20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States

Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more

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About Auction

The Winter Sale 2026, Day 2 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2026, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 21, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-21 10:00:00 2026-02-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2026, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2026-day-2-22164 Lots 301-368 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

The "Missing" Schmiedlin Canada Goose
Jim Schmiedlin (1945-2015)
Bradford Woods, PA, 1996
26 in. long

A Pittsburgh native, Jim Schmiedlin proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1971. He began carving in his spare time while working at Pittsburgh Brewing (Iron City Beer). Today, Schmiedlin's work ranks among the most sought-after of any decoy maker of the past seventy-five years.

Schmiedlin geese are exceptionally rare; only four are known to have been carved. As with the celebrated Harry V. Long Canada goose trio by Elmer Crowell nearly a century earlier, Schmiedlin's geese represent the pinnacle of his artistry and are nearly impossible for collectors to obtain. In fact, this particular high-head decoy was considered "missing" within collecting circles.

Of the four geese he made, one remained with the family in Pennsylvania and the other two have each set record prices for contemporary decoys when they surfaced at auction.

This example displays a bold and elegant design, featuring a high, turned head and a fully hollowed body. The paint is executed with Schmiedlin's finest blended feathering, and the layered wings and carved tail reflect the influence of Elmer Crowell, who famously used incising, overlapping wing tips, and subtle blending. Also notable is the expertly rendered bill carving.

Geese often inspire a carver's best work, and Schmiedlin did not miss the opportunity; this is among the finest decoys he created for his personal hunting rig.

In addition to the maker's "REWARD FOR RETURN" and "JAS" brands, the underside's keel is removed, and it carries numerous handwritten notes documenting its gunning and collecting history, including a reference to the Thompson Bay photograph. There is a long painted inscription from Jim to Betty Williford.
Outstanding original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: Jim Schmiedlin Rig
Betty Williford Collection
Matt Geis Collection

Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2021," February 2021, lot 488, rigmate illustrated. David W. Hodgman, "Jim Schmiedlin: Making the best darn gunning decoys in the land," Decoy Magazine, May/June 1999, pp. 32-35, information on the carver.

Condition

Please refer to the description; if you have additional questions, email colin@copleyart.com.
Shipping Info
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