Heritage Auction Final Digital 11-17

2017 Core Sound Heritage Auction 

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center 

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heritage auction 2.indd 1 

11/17/17 11:46 AM

On the cover: 

Core Sound’s Most Recognized Carver, Mitchell Fulcher of Stacy 

Shorebirds, wooden corks, Roy Willis Collection; Original photograph and frame, 12ga Hunter Arts 

Co. shotgun, Mitchell Fulcher Head Patterns Semi Color, Hatchet, Thom & Valerie Styron Collection; 

Mitchell Fulcher 10ga double barrel Remington shotgun, Edfred M. Gaskill Collection; Shotgun 

shells, Shotgun shell boxes, Black Powder Container, Wooden Winchester Ammunication Box, 

Eugene Willis & Tommy Salter Collection (Photograph by Baxter Miller) 



CORE SOUND’S 

2017 HERITAGE AUCTION 

A partnership project of the 


Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 

“ 

It’s amazing that you can hold one of the old birds 

that’s a hundred and fifteen years old 

and feel the difference in each of them. 

There’s just something about them. 

I guess that’s a good part of it. 

Learning everything you can 

about that particular bird. 

That’s what makes it so interesting 

that you can refer to the area, 

and the time, and the man himself. 

— Don Walston, Collector 

Former Chairman, CSWM&HC 

“ 



Table of Contents 

6 

About the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center 

6 

About the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 

7 

Thank You 

8-13 

Decoy Makers in Carteret County 

14-17 

Decoy Collectors Guide (1964) 

18-39 

2017 Heritage Auction Listings and Information 

40-41 

A Closer Look at the History of the Core Sound Museum 

42-43 

History of the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 




For 25 years, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center has honored and celebrated 

the rich traditions of Core Sound in a way that draws people together through the sharing of its 

traditions. The museum collaborates with partners throughout the region (and beyond) to not only 

document and archive cultural artifacts, but to celebrate these time-honored traditions through local 

events, documentary projects, exhibitions, school programs, community gatherings, online and print 

publications, multi-media creations and educational programs for all ages. 

While remaining faithful to its original waterfowling heritage focus through exhibitions, 

competitions, demonstrations and programs, all of Down East’s community histories and traditions 

are interpreted and shared by community members who have lived these traditions. Core Sound has 

been recognized nationally for its “authentic community base” and that “spirit of the people” can be 

seen, heard and felt by all who visit. 

Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend, held each December in conjunction with the Core Sound Decoy 

Festival – the museum’s birthplace, highlights the talents of carvers, the commitment of collectors 

and the many museum members and volunteers who have made the museum’s year-round work 

possible. The weeks and days leading up to this “homecoming weekend” and the cold duck-hunting 

weather that surely accompanies this time of year, has always been the season that renews our 

commitment to our waterfowling heritage and the men and women who lived this history. We 

recognize and honor not only them, but also the many who continue to carrying on these traditions 

through their carving, hunting, storytelling and love for this place we know as home - Core Sound. 

Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 

The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center welcomes the partnership with the Carolina 

Decoy Collectors Association as we work together to preserve, document and share the waterfowling 

history of Core Sound. An important part CDCA contribution to our 25th Anniversary Exhibition 

in June, the creation of the “Core Values” documentary is now part of our gallery exhibition. The 

2017 Heritage Auction project has been a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge and work 

together to document and share the beauty and meaning of these old working decoys of Core Sound. 

The CDCA Competition gallery case continues to be an important part of our gallery experience and 

a link to the collectors who recognize the value of these artifacts and the stories they tell. We look 

forward to years of shared projects in the future. 

CDCA’s Mission: The Carolina Decoy Collectors Association is an association of individuals 

organized to promote the preservation of artifacts and information related to waterfowl decoys of the 

Carolinas and Southern Virginia, to provide educational opportunities for decoy collectors, and to 

maintain a growing historical record relating to decoys and decoy carvers of the region. 

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Thank You 

This gathering of 20 significant decoys is the result of the dedication of a group of collectors who 

have given prized carvings from their collection to support the work of the Core Sound Waterfowl 

Museum & Heritage Center. All contributions to this auction are 100% donations to the Museum 

and its role in preserving the traditions of Core Sound. 

We are indeed grateful to these collectors for their deep commitment to our work and to the cause 

of preserving, documenting and sharing the rich decoy making traditions of our Down East communities. 

Thank you to each of you for giving quality decoys that will make this auction a financial 

success. 

This auction is the result of many hours of work by a committee who realized the potential of the 

2015 Heritage Auction and have met, called, emailed and “shared the vision” of an auction that 

focuses on Core Sound decoys and the history they represent. Robbie Smith and Kroghie Andresen 

of the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association have been vital parts of this event and we thank them 

for believing the work of the museum is worthy of their investment of time and expertise. Thank you 

Robbie and Kroghie! 

We are especially indebted to Walter House of House Auction Company for his 17 years of dedication 

to the Core Sound Museum and his willingness to work long hours before and after every sale to 

make sure every auction is a success. Thank you Walter and Essie! 

This auction catalog gives a glimpse of the knowledge of decoy historians from decades of recordings, 

writings and handwritten notes. It serves as a foundational document for “why” these decoys are 

being offered for the 2017 CSWM&HC Heritage Auction and why these pieces have an important 

place in Core Sound decoy history. The museum seeks to share the meaning of these working decoys 

while honoring the men whose artistry and knowledge of these waterfowl is reflected in their work. 

Karen Willis Amspacher and Pam Davis Morris 

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Staff 

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Decoy Makers in Carteret County 

A cold wind howled down Core Sound as Julian Hamilton and his father headed toward their 

“special” blind a few hundred yards from their camp on Core Banks. The boat was loaded with three 

dozen duck and goose decoys and a coop containing their prized pair of English calling ducks. 

As the Hamiltons rounded a marsh island that could see the blind silhouetted against the early gow 

of dawn. Their decoys were quickly rigged out and the live tollers were positioned, one on each side 

of the stand. 

Davis Shore hunting trip 

Now, the only job left was to get into the blind. This was not as simple as it might seem because their 

“special” blind was 20 feet above the surface of the water. 

Positioned on four tall poles and without any brush for camouflage, the blind towered above the 

surrounding landscape. Julian and his father made their way up the ladder into the gunning box. 

They had no sooner settled in when the first of many flocks of ducks glided into their decoys. With 

each shot the blind swayed precariously as it if were ready to fall over into the sound. 

One has to wonder why ducks as wary as pintails or as wise as an old goose would ever decoy into 

the shadows of such a gangly contraption. When this question was posed to Julian, he said that the 

ducks were able to see through the poles to the waters beyond. The uninterrupted sign of water was 

comforting enough to attract fowl into the decoys. The English calling ducks, purchased in 1935 for 

the then exorbitant price of $20, certainly helped lure ducks into range. 

Waterfowling in Carteret Count was different from waterfowling in other parts of North Carolina. 

The blinds were unusual, the hunting techniques were atypical and the decoys were distinctive. 

Gunners in Carteret County hunted everything from loons passing over the beach, to egret rookeries, 

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to yellow-hammers among the 

sand dunes. The blinds varied 

from concrete curtain boxes, 

to unbrushed stake blinds, to 

rolling brush blinds. Decoys 

were made for herons, egrets, 

mergansers and buffleheads in 

styles that speak kindly of their 

creators’ skills. 

Carteret County decoys were 

designed and built with a 

definite influence from decoy 

makers to the north. Many 

hunters from the upper 

Chesapeake visited the sounds 

and marshes in this part of 

The Carteret Rod & Gun Club was later known as the Cedar Banks Club and 

lastly, the Core Banks Club 

the state. The Core Banks Rod 

and Gun Club had members 

from Philadelphia, Boston and New York. These hunters brought their decoys to Carteret County 

when they visited. Many Chesapeake decoys, including decoys by the Hollys, Sam Barnes and Bob 

McGaw, found their way into rigs used by local gunners. In addition, many factor decoys made by 

Mason, Dodge and Pratt, were used in this area. The Carteret County style of decoy making could 

be described as an assimilation and localization of early Chesapeake decoys, particularly those made 

by the Hollys. 

Local materials were used for construction of decoys. Less canvas was used here than in the 

neighboring counties but balsa wood and cork decoys were more abundant in Carteret County than 

in other parts of the region. Juniper was the most commonly used wood although some makers used 

poplar and cedar. The Carteret decoys are somewhat smaller and many have flat bottoms. The waters 

here are not as vast as in Currituck 

or Pamlico Sounds and a flat 

bottomed decoy had less weight 

and was therefore easier to handle 

than the full bodied decoys. 

The art and history of decoy 

making in Carteret County could 

be figuratively described as a 

pyramid with Mitchel Fulcher of 

Stacy at the pinnacle. A majority 

of the decoys made in this county 

were patterned after decoys made 

by Fulcher. He had internalized 

the Chesapeake style and 

er Pintail 

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produced a decoy very similar to the Holly decoys. Many Holly decoys used in North Carolina even 

had “MF” carved into the bottom. 

Fulcher was a prolific decoy maker who started carving around 1895. He carved black ducks, 

pintails, redheads, blackheads, brant and geese until the mid-1930s. All of his decoys were wooden 

or cork and most were marked with his initials. Fulcher designed some decoys with the heads 

situated on a nearly carved shelf. His black ducks and pintails exhibit this. He occasionally used a .22 

shell casing to punch eyes into the heads of his decoys. The bill carving was also nicely done. 

Mitchell Fulcher made decoys for sale to local gun clubs and hunters. In addition, he carved 

heads for bodies made by other local carvers. One such association formed between Fulcher and 

Robert Pigott, of the Marshallberg area in Carteret County. Pigott made a stylish rig of redheads 

and blackheads and Fulcher carved and fitted the heads to the bodies. The result was a refined and 

handsome decoy that reflects the craftsmanship of these Carteret County decoy makers. 

Portsmouth Island is the northernmost section of Carteret County. Many brant, goose and duck 

decoys were made by Island residents. Ben Salter, Tom Potter, Tom Bragg and Jodie Styron all made 

decoys and hunted the productive waters in this region. Documented examples of Portsmouth decoy 

makers are difficult to obtain since the Island has been uninhabited for over 10 years and sparsely 

populated for over 50 years. 

On the Carteret mainland, Judge Lambert Morris of Atlantic made many balsa wood decoys for 

his gunning rig. Judge Morris presided over hundreds of cases in Beaufort but his real love was the 

water and waterfowl gunning. His decoys have animated head positions and their overall appearance 

is graceful and appealing. Morris 

made ducks, geese and shorebirds 

from the 1920s through the 1950s. 

Alvin Harris, another well-known 

carver and resident of Atlantic, was 

a neighbor of Judge Morris. Harris, 

like Morris, used balsa wood to 

create a stylish and animated decoy. 

He made ducks, brant and geese 

and his decoys typically display a 

high crest that slops downward to a 

finely carved bill. The exaggerated 

forehead is a trademark of the 

decoys made by Alvin Harris. 

Charlie Edwards, Sr. and Charlie 

Edwards, Jr. have made decoys 

in the fishing and hunting 

village of Atlantic since the early 

1900s. These two decoy makers 

constructed wooden and canvas ducks, geese and swans. 

Alvin Harris 

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The community of Sea Level is the home of John Lupton and Harry Hamilton, both recognized 

decoy makers. John Lupton made a number of large canvas geese and ducks. His ducks, particularly 

the pintails, are unusual since a wooden tail penetrates the canvas in a design characteristic not found 

in other North Carolina canvas decoys. Some shorebird decoys have been attributed to Lupton. 

Harry Hamilton has made decoys for a number of years and carries on a tradition begun by his 

grandfather. Hamilton made canvas ducks and geese in the 1940s and 1950s. 

Even though Mitchell Fulcher was the “father” of Carteret County decoy makers, the community 

of Stacy also produced other fine decoy makers. Among the very best was Eldon Willis who carved 

wooden ducks, geese and brant. The black ducks, pintails and geese made by Willis rival Fulcher 

decoys in their style and construction. Eldon Willis teamed up with Elmer Salter to produce a great 

many decoys for the gun clubs in this area. 

Roy Willis, son of Eldon Willis, 

made decoys with his father 

and carries on the local style of 

Carteret County decoy making. 

Roy is a knowledgeable Carteret 

County decoy historian and 

collector. The waterfowling 

heritage of this area has been 

preserved thanks to the many fine 

people like Roy Willis. 

Another father-son decoy making 

team, Charles and Irving Fulcher, 

resided in Stacy. Charles Fulcher 

began making decoys in the late 

1800s when he carved a rig of 

Roy Willis shorebird decoys. Fulcher later 

carved wooden ducks and geese until his son, Irving, began to carve. Irving made ducks, geese and 

shorebirds until recently. He often carved a large “IF” on the base of his decoys. Like many Carteret 

decoys, the decoys by Charles and Irving Fulcher resemble Chesapeake Bay carvings. 

Leckler Lewis, of Stacy, was a waterman and fish dealer. He began making decoys in the 1920s. 

He made ducks, geese and shorebird decoys of wood and cork. Some of his decoys have rootheads. 

Leckler was a large man, well over 6 feet tall and 250 pounds in weight. He reportedly was one of the 

best shots in the areas. 

Charles Edward Mason made wooden duck and goose decoys at Stacy in the early 1900s. Like other 

local carvers, he also replaced heads on decoys from the Chesapeake and on decoys made at factories. 

Several examples have been collected with his head style on Holly bodies. The decoys of Charles 

E. Mason have rather thin bodies with proportionately large heads. The bills were carved with an 

exaggerated upswing that flows into full cheeks on the head. He initialed the bodies of his decoys 

with C.E.M. 

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Andrew and Doily Fulcher, 

both of Stacy, made decoys 

for their own use and for 

other gunners. They made 

mostly wooden decoys. 

A few miles from Stacy is 

the community of Davis, 

the home of Ammie Paul. 

Paul was a fine decoy 

maker who carved ducks 

and geese in the early 

1900s. His decoys display 

a nicely shaped body with 

an unusually thick, broad 

head. Paul made redheads, 

blackheads, pintails, black 

ducks, geese and brant. He 

served as one of the early 

Ammie Paul 

caretakers for the Core Banks Rod and Gun Club. 

Henry Murphy, also from Davis, made cork and wooden ducks in the 1920s and 1930s. He 

sometimes carved “HM” in the base of the decoy, and, like Mitchell Fulcher, Murphy replaced heads 

and initialed decoys made in the Chesapeake Bay area. 

A few decoy makers were made in the Harker’s Island and Straits area of Carteret County, although 

little is known about the makers of this region. Juniper, acquired from the numerous boat building 

shops on the island, 

was the most 

prominent material 

used for the decoys 

made here. 

Jul’ Hamilton 

In the Beaufort area, 

Julian Hamilton, 

Sr. and Julian 

Hamilton, Jr. made 

decoys since the early 

1900s. Julian, Sr. 

operated a hunting 

camp on Core 

Banks from 1915 

until the 1940s. The 

Hamiltons made 

cork and wooden 

ducks and geese. 

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Their style resembles the decoys made by Mitchell Fulcher. Julian, as a little boy, spent many hours 

with Mitchell Fulcher and was influenced by his decoy making prowess. Julian Hamilton is carrying 

on the tradition of decoy making with respect for the craft and its heritage. 

Eugene Pond of Beaufort has hunted and observed nature around Beaufort all of his life. Eugene 

has a keen interest in ornithology and has amassed a life-long bird sighting list that few people can 

match. This bird-watching fascination grew out of his early days of waterfowl hunting. Eugene made 

decoys for his own rig and has collected many fine decoys from all over the country. 

Decoys were made in the Morehead City area and at Salter Path on Bogue Banks although few have 

been documented. 

Carteret County can be proud of its waterfowling and decoy heritage. The sincere people and the 

close link with nature have established a high standard for the future generations to follow. 

From WATERFOWL HERITAGE: North Carolina Decoys and Gunning Lore 

William Neal Conoley, Jr., 1982 (Reprinted by permission) 

Photos from the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center Collection 

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CURT SALTER 

CHAMPAGNE CLASS BRANT 

LOT NO. 1 

ABOUT THIS DECOY 

This rare carving was entered in the first 

and only Champagne Decoy Competition 

at the Core Sound Decoy Festival. He was 

a member of the “Original Seven” decoys 

carvers who established the Core Sound 

Decoy Carvers Guild and the Core Sound 

Decoy Festival. Mr. Curt `s birds rarely 

come to market and this is one the very 

few champagne-size (less than 3.5 inches) 

decoys he ever made here on Core Sound. 

The Decoy Carver`s Guild honored him 

by naming their facility H. Curt Salter 

Building. 

FROM THE COLLECTION OF 

Karen Willis Amspacher 

Karen is the Director of the Core Sound 

Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center 

where Curt Salter was a founding board 

member. He spent many afternoons on 

the porch at the “old museum” carving 

and talking with visitors. He made this 

champagne decoy at the request of Janice 

Smith who envisioned this competition as 

part of the Museum’s Waterfowl Weekend 

celebration many years ago. 

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Charles Clifton Edwards (1897-1985) was 

a noted carver from Atlantic, NC. This 

wire-over-canvas goose is in original paint, 

tear to canvas, circa 1950`s-60s. Charles 

Edwards, Sr. is noted for making some of 

the finest black duck and brant decoys to 

ever come off of Portsmouth Island in the 

1920`s. 


Chris & Kathryn Smith Chadwick 

Kathryn is the granddaughter of Billy & 

Janice Smith and current board member 

of the CSWM&HC. Kathryn has a 

significant collection of Core Sound 

decoys, following in her family’s tradition 

of treasuring “all things” Down East. 

CHARLIE CLIFTON EDWARDS, SR. 

CANVAS CANADA GOOSE 

LOT NO. 2 

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CHARLIE SALTER 

PORTSMOUTH ISLAND REDHEAD 

LOT NO. 3 


This exceptional Charlie Salter (1907 to 

1960) redhead was made on Portsmouth 

Island. This decoy is extremely rare as it is 

made entirely of juniper; most surviving 

examples of his work are made of cork or 

balsa made while he lived at Atlantic. 


Jerry & Valinda Coates 

Jerry & Valinda own the Davis Bed & 

Breakfast and proud supporters of the Core 

Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage 

Center. Their growing collection of decoys 

and waterfowling artifacts already holds 

some of Core Sound’s finest carvings – old 

and new. 

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This blackhead decoy has a 1920s body, 

unknown but likely a northern “bird,” reheaded 

and rigged by a “Davisshoreman,” 

as evidenced in the nail through the head 

and the weight on the bottom. Re-heading 

(and re-use) of decoy bodies brought to the 

Core Sound area by northern sportsmen 

is a tradition with Carteret Gun & Rod 

Club decoys, better known as “Clubhouse” 

decoys. This piece has “L” and what may 

be an “A” carved in the underside of the 

tail. 

UNKNOWN 

BLACKHEAD (LESSER SCAUP) 

LOT NO. 4 


Lionel & Pat Gilgo 

Lionel Jr. is a lifelong “voice” of 

Portsmouth Island and has been involved 

with all efforts to preserve the history and 

traditions of Core Sound from the Friends 

of Portsmouth to the Core Sound Decoy 

Carvers Guild and the Waterfowl Museum. 

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LOT NO. 5 

BEACH ROBIN 

ALTON PARKER TAYLOR, SR. 


Alton Taylor (1905-1988, Sea Level) 

decoys are a rare find. This is an example 

of the silhouette decoys that became the 

shorebird decoys of choice in Carteret 

County beginning in the 1940`s. Many 

of these decoys were made of .25-inch 

marine grade plywood which was available 

due to the boat building which was taking 

place in the Down East communities. This 

example is in original paint with original 

stake. 


Pam Davis Morris 

Pam is the Collections Manager at the 

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & 

Heritage Center and native of Davis Shore. 

Her grandfather Ammie Paul is one of 

Davis Shore’s most prominent carvers 

and her grandfather Blanchard Davis was 

also a recognized decoy carver, hunter 

and guide. Today Pam carries on that 

tradition as a carver, collector and museum 

professional documenting, interpreting 

and perpetuating the art and history of 

waterfowling on Core Sound. 

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This incredible redhead with intact 

originial rigging by Weldon Fulcher (1904- 

1976) of Stacy, NC is one of this auction’s 

most interesting offerings. This decoy 

includes the original weight from his Stacy 

hunting rig. Weldon was a lifelong Core 

Sound waterman. He first made decoys 

in the 1920`s and continued to do so his 

entire life. 


Doug Fulcher 

Doug is the grandson of Weldon Fulcher, 

Sr., son of Weldon Earl Fulcher, and 

a hunter and collector of Core Sound 

carvings. Doug has served on the board 

of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & 

Heritage Center for years and has been one 

of its most faithful volunteers. 

WELDON FULCHER, SR. 

REDHEAD 

LOT NO. 6 

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LOT NO. 7 

BLACK DUCK 

HARRY HAMILTON 


E. Harry Hamilton (1898-1973) was 

born in Sea Level who at an early age, 

joined the Coast Guard and moved to the 

Outer Banks. He is credited with bringing 

canvas-over-wire decoy making to Carteret 

County, a style he learned from men such 

as Mannie Haywood and Avery Tillett of 

Currituck County. This decoy has a wood 

insert in the bottom to hold the head, 

instead of a wood baseboard usually used 

on cork decoys. 


Jerry & Amie Talton 

Jerry is a Core Sound decoy historian, 

carver and leader of the Core Sound 

Decoy Carvers Guild and volunteer for 

the CSWM&HC. Jerry’s work has been 

featured on UNCTV, Wildlife in NC 

magazine, the film “Core Values” and 

represents the future of Core Sound decoy 

carving. 

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24 


This decoy features a Jim Holly body 

with that was re-painted and re-headed 

by Irving Fulcher. Many Holly birds were 

brought to the Carteret Rod & Gun Club 

and re-headed by the local guides and 

decoy makers. This is a fine example with 

deep historical roots. 

More details about this clubhouse decoy and the 

history of the old clubhouse can be found at the end 

of the lot listings. 


Doily & Judy Fulcher 

Doily Earl is a Stacy native and recognized 

historian of Core Sound history. His 

collection and writings reflect a deep 

knowledge of waterfowling traditions 

from Chincoteague to Core Sound. Doily 

serves on the Core Sound Waterfowl 

Museum Board of Directors, filling the 

“Lifetime Member” seat of his cousin, Roy 

Hilton Willis, and is the museum’s “go-to” 

person for Core Sound history and decoy 

documentation. 

JIM HOLLY & IRVING FULCHER 


LOT NO. 8 



WILLIE NELSON 


LOT NO. 9 


This decoy’s unique design sets it apart. 

Willie Nelson (1898-1990) was another 

traditional carver from Stacy, NC. Willie 

made less than two dozen decoys and they 

are extremely rare. This is a must have bird 

for the Core Sound decoy carver. It will be 

difficult to find another example. 



Valinda serves on the Board of Directors 

for the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum 

& Heritage Center, giving and working 

throughout the year to support the 

documentation and preservation of Core 

Sound waterfowling traditions. 

25 




Clarence Lewis (1914-1992) of Stacy, NC 

was a well-known carver, making working 

decoys and selling from his home long 

before the current decoy-rage brought 

about by the Core Sound Decoy Festival 

and all the work of the past few decades. 

This decoy is from his hunting rig and 

is in original paint, displaying his carved 

initials indicating it was from his rig. 

This is an important piece of Core Sound 

decoy history. Thanks to the generosity 

and foresight of collectors Purcell Jones 

and Don Walston, a pair of pintails by 

Clarence Lewis were the first decoys to 

be acquisitioned for the Core Sound 

Museum’s permanent collection. 

CLARENCE LEWIS 

REDHEAD 

LOT NO. 10 

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Jesse & Sonya Sorrell 

Jesse is a long time collector from Raleigh, 

NC. He has built one of the finest 

comprehensive NC decoy collections 

known. He currently serves the Carolina 

Decoy Collectors Association as an officer. 

His leadership there has enabled this 

association to partner with the Decoy 

Carvers Guild and Core Sound Museum 

in a successful effort to promote NC decoy 

collecting. 



CLARENCE LEWIS 

CANVAS CANADA GOOSE 

LOT NO. 11 


This canvas-over-wire goose decoy by 

Clarence Lewis was used in the rig of 

Sterling Fulcher as noted by the “SF” 

initials carved on the bottom. This decoy 

still has its original paint and is a fine 

example of Core Sound working decoys. 



The Coates’ collection includes many 

significant Core Sound decoys representing 

the rich history of the Down East area. 

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Monnie Willis, Howard Pittman and 

Jasper Golden blackhead (lesser scaup) 

body with an Eldon Willis & Elmer Salter 

head, formerly in the collection of Carl 

Hiatt. This decoy bears Carl’s brand in the 

bottom and is a rare example in original 

paint. Howard Pittman and his uncle 

Monnie Willis made a rig of blackheads 

and redheads in the late 1950’s. Howard’s 

hunting buddy Jasper Golden helped with 

the decoy making. They made the bodies 

and bought heads from Eldon and Elmer 

and they painted the decoys. These decoys 

had flat bottoms. It is a decoy from the 

hunting rig of Howard Pittman and his 

Uncle Monnie Willis of Stacy. Decoy made 

in the late 1950’s. 

STACY CARVERS 


LOT NO. 12 



Jerry and Valinda are generous contributors 

to the Core Sound communities. 

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LOT NO. 13 


ELDON WILLIS & ELMER SALTER 


This is an Eldon Willis & Elmer Salter 

blackhead (lesser scaup). This carving duo 

carved many iconic Core Sound decoys. 

This is an extremely early example and 

sports a stunning patina. It also carries the 

Carl Hiatt collector brand, the same brand 

as Lot #12. This carving duo carved many 

iconic Core Sound decoys. 


Blair & Charlene Boyd 

Blair is a respected carver and decoy 

collector from Wilmington. He is a current 

Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild member 

and is co-chairman of their annual decoy 

auction held during the Core Sound 

Decoy Festival weekend. 

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Lambert Morris, Sr (1904-1969) Atlantic, 

NC. This beautiful redhead is made of 

balsa wood in a style that has become 

known as Hunting Quarters decoys. 

Lambert carved with Alvin Harris, another 

noted Atlantic carver. Judge Lambert 

Morris also served the as a judge and a 

prominent member of Carteret County. 

Though the head is loose, this decoy is a 

fine example of a Lambert Morris redhead. 

This decoy is a fine example of his family’s 

rich waterfowling heritage and their Down 

East roots. 

LAMBERT MORRIS 

REDHEAD 

LOT NO. 14 


Chris & Kathryn Smith Chadwick 

Chris and Kathryn both work tirelessly for 

the Down East communities, providing 

leadership and resources to schools, scouts, 

churches and the CSWM&HC. They 

live in the decoy-community of Stacy on 

Kathryn’s Fulcher family land. 

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LOT NO. 15 

BLACK DUCK 

HENRY MURPHY 


This Henry Murphy (1898-1965, of Davis 

Shore) Clubhouse black duckhen decoy 

has his head on an Animal Trap factory 

body. It is from his Davis Shore hunting 

rig and includes his carved initials on the 

bottom. Henry was a well-known guide 

from Davis. His decoys are extremely 

rare and highly sought after by collectors 

nationwide. 


Henry & Amanda Kidd 

Henry has an important decoy collection 

with a special emphasis on Core Sound 

birds. He is NC Ducks Unlimited 

Chairman Elect for 2018. He and his wife 

own a home in Atlantic where they can be 

found most weekends. 

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This carving is a very early and important 

Brant decoy by Irving Fulcher (1896- 

1982) of Stacy, NC. His Brant decoys 

are one of the most sought after birds 

from Core Sound. It is believed that this 

example was made prior to 1933. It is in 

working repaint. This Brant has the words 

“Irvin Fulcher” in pen inscribed in the 

bottom. 

IRVING FULCHER 

BRANT 

LOT NO. 16 


Jesse & Sonya Sorrell 

Jesse is a member of the Carolina Decoy 

Collectors Association and holds a 

significant collection of North Carolina 

decoys and works year-round to promote 

decoy collecting. 

32 



LOT NO. 17 

BEACH ROBIN 

LIONEL MASON 


Lionel Mason (1909-1981) Atlantic, 

NC. Beach robin stick up in original 

paint and with original stake. He made 

some very “folky” shorebird decoys. They 

are extremely rare and sought after by 

collectors. 


Robbie & Leslie Smith; Robbie is an avid 

collector of NC decoys, historian and 

creator of the 2017 documentary “Core 

Values,” a significant contribution to the 

history of waterfowling traditions of Core 

Sound. This oral history captures the spirit 

and art of famous Core Sound carvers 

such Homer Fulcher, Mitchell Fulcher, 

Alvin Harris and others. It features decoy 

historians Doily Fulcher and Jerry Talton 

and was premiered at the Core Sound 

Waterfowl Museum’s 25th Anniversary 

Celebration. The film is featured in the 

Main Gallery of the Museum. 

33 




This exceedingly rare and beautiful 

blackhead wing duck decoy was made 

and used by Eldon Willis, Monnie Willis, 

Howard Pittman, and Jasper Golden, 

circa 1940. This bird is published in Neal 

Conoley`s Waterfowl Heritage, North 

Carolina Decoys and Gunning Lore, page 

263. A new boxed limited-edition of this 

historically significant publication (#82 

of 100) is included with the decoy. This 

book has become highly collectible. Neal 

Conoley discovered a few books in his attic 

and has donated this edition to the Core 

Sound Museum for a “special” occasion. 

This book gives important significance 

to this decoy and is offered as a one-time 

opportunity for Core Sound collectors at 

this year’s Heritage Auction. 

STACY CARVERS 


LOT NO. 18 


Jackie Booth, hunter and collector 

with family roots Down East and book 

contribution from author, Neal Conoley, 

both of them generous supporters of 

the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & 

Heritage Center. 

34 



LOT NO. 19 

PORTSMOUTH ISLAND BRANT 

GEORGE O’NEAL & LUKE STYRON 


This is a stunning Brant Decoy from 

Portsmouth Island, NC. Many Brant 

decoys had Canada goose paint added after 

the eel grass blight in the 1930`s. This 

incredible bird comes with the following 

provenance. “Brant by George O’Neal and 

Luke Styron. The original paint comes 

with a white patch added to the cheeks 

to make it a goose. Provenance by Clint 

Gaskill of Ocracoke, NC. 



Jerry and Valinda’s growing love and 

appreciation for Core Sound is reflected in 

their willingness to give and work with the 

Down East communities. 

35 




This blackhead decoy is from the rig of Charles 

Edward Mason, Stacy. His rig was made up of 

many factory decoys and bodies he re-headed 

from northern carvers brought to Core Sound by 

sportsmen hunting at the Carteret Gun & Rod 

Club, which was a tradition of the times. This 

particular decoy is a Mason Factory standard 

decoy in old working repaint by Charlie Edward 

Mason. This decoy has his brand “CEM” and 

“X” carved in the bottom. The Mason Decoy 

Factory (1896-1924) was located in Detroit, 

MI and advertised themselves as the “Largest 

Manufacturers Of High-Grade Decoys in the 

World!” More details about the Stacy men known to 

have “clubhouse ducks” can be found in the following 

pages. 


Eugene Willis; donated by Tommy Salter 

Eugene and Tommy, grandfather and grandson, 

are noted collectors of Core Sound decoys 

and watefowling artifacts. A sampling of 

Eugene Willis’ collection can be found in the 

CSWM&HC’s main gallery including his hunting 

shed, dock and skiff, all lined with significant 

Core Sound decoys and hunting memorabilia. 

Eugene and Tommy’s shared passion for Core 

Sound decoys has contributed much to the 

growing interest in Core Sound waterfowling 

traditions. 

RIG OF CHARLES EDWARD MASON 


LOT NO. 20 

36 



Lot 8 Continued: 

The Story of this Blackhead Drake Clubhouse Decoy 

This blackhead decoy is what the Stacy and Davis Shore duck hunters call a clubhouse decoy. The 

Yankees came to the Carteret Gun and Rod Club about 1917 from a club on the upper Chesapeake 

Bay. These men brought their decoys which were made by the Havre de Grace decoy carvers. Most 

of the decoys were made by James Holly. The club lost all of these decoys in the 1933 hurricane. All 

of the men at Stacy and Davis Shore found these decoys after the storm while looking for their gear, 

including their decoys which they had lost in the storm. After the 1933 hurricane a lot of the decoy 

hunting stands of the Stacy and Davis Shore duck hunters had these decoys. 

Irving Fulcher found a skiff load of these decoys and had his skiff tied up at Mariah Creek. Leroy 

Davis, the caretaker of the Carteret Gun and Rod Club saw this skiff and contacted the sheriff. 

Irving did not have to return these decoys because of the salvage laws. However, he decided to knock 

the original heads off the decoys and place his carved decoy head on the decoy, put his initials “IF” 

in the bottom and repainted the decoy. Other duck hunters at Stacy and Davis Shore did the same 

thing creating what they called the Clubhouse decoys. 

Doily Earl Fulcher Sr. purchased this decoy along with other decoys from Irving Fulcher in Oct 

1966. These decoys had been part of his hunting rig stored in his net house since 1933. Doily 

remembered he details of the purchase, “When I bought the decoys from Irving in 1966 I was after 

old decoys. Irving was selling me decoys from his hunting rig but he had old decoys and decoys he 

had just made. I would pick out an old decoy and then he would pick out one of his new decoys 

that he had just made I ended up with half and half. His new decoys became as valuable - or more 

valuable - than the old decoys”. 

— Doily Earl Fulcher, Jr. 


History of the Old Club House 

The “Club House” was built in 1902, and burned down on May 25, 1970. The first caretaker was 

Ammie L. Paul, 1902 to 1905. A man from Morehead was the second one, but I can’t remember 

his name. Walter Moore was the third caretaker, followed by George Willis from Hatteras, Leroy 

Davis, who was the caretaker from May 1915 to December 1945. Others were Cartie Fulcher, Stacy; 

Charlie Gaskill, Hal Willis, Cleo Brown, Quinton Willis, and Wardie (my brother) Murphy, all of 

Davis. Ion Lane Lewis took the job May 1, 1970. 

When Mr. Leroy Davis took over the job of caretaker in 1915, there were 60 members, mostly from 

up north. When he left in 1945, there were only two members left; brothers Charlie and Johnnie 

Geiger from New Jersey. A lot of the members left the club after the hurricane of 1933. Mr. Leon 

37 



Dermaneous from New Jersey, was the last member of the original Club House, and came back to 

Davis for visits for many years. 

My precious memories of the Club House go back to the days when the people from Davis used to 

go over in boats to the Banks for church picnics. The children were free to run up and down the big 

sand hills which were destroyed by the hurricane of ‘33. People would go by buggy-ride down to the 

Cape to a square dance led by a Mr. Hunter who lived at Harkers Island, but he was from up north. 

He was a big man, but he danced smoothly and gracefully. The running water and telephone were 

exciting, but I don’t remember about the radio. I have heard Mrs. Davis say that people came from 

far and near to put on the earphone to hear a word from far away. Most of the time static was the 

only thing they heard. A great landmark has gone from our view. 

This information has been given to me by my father Mr. Francis Murphy, Mrs. Leroy Davis, 

and Mr. Florence Paul Davis, whose father was the first caretaker. My father said that Mr. Paul was 

paid one dollar a day and everyone, including Mr. Paul thought he had a good job. 

— “Once Upon A Time: Stories of Davis, North Carolina” by Mabel Murphy Piner, 1979 


Stacy Men Known to have “Clubhouse Ducks” Include 

Alvah Fulcher (1896-1971) initials AF; Charlie Wallace Fulcher (1890-1939) initials CWF; Damon 

Fulcher (1876-1950) initials DF; Elijah James Fulcher (1894-1939) initials EJF; Irving Russell 

Fulcher (1896-1982) initials IF; James Washington Fulcher (1877-1960) initials JWF; Mitchell 

Fulcher (1869-1950) initials MF; Weldon Fulcher (1904-1976) initials WF; Weldon Earl Fulcher 

(1931- ) initials WEF; William Henry Fulcher (1896-1969) initials WHF; William V Fulford ( ) 

initials WVF; Alfred H. Gaskill (1915- 2010) initials AG; Fernie Gaskill (1884-1941) initials F and 

under bill an X; Henry Vernon Harris (1876- 1931) initials HVH; Andrew Mason (1889-1960) 

initials AM; Charles Edward Mason (1886-1972) initials CEM; Henry Murphy (1898-1965) 

initials HM; Ammie Paul (1872-1952) no initials; Elmer Salter (1902-1964) no initials; Ammie 

Willis (1892-1961) initials AW; Eldon Willis (1908-1981) initials EW most not initialed; Justin 

Willis (dates unknown) initials JW; Roy Willis (1933-2012) no initials. 

— List compiled by Doily Earl Fulcher, Jr. 

38 



Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center: 

TWENTY FIVE YEARS 

Some 9,000 days have passed since a group of decoy carvers decided it was time to build a museum 

in Down East Carteret County 

dedicated to the waterfowling traditions 

of this region. 

Decoy making has long been an 

established tradition in coastal North 

Carolina. Like other everyday activities 

that become obsolete with a changing 

lifestyle, the practice of turning wood 

into ducks had been taken for granted, 

ignored, possibly even forgotten. What 

was once an everyday practice might 

have become extinct had it not been for 

those whose love and appreciation for 

the art had been passed down through 

generations and outweighed the changes 

taking place around them. 

Thanks to the leadership and vision of the Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild, the Core Sound 

Waterfowl Museum, Inc. was created and a 21-member Board of Directors was appointed including 

carvers, area businessmen, and local government representatives. The first meeting took place in 

March where a preliminary proposal for a museum project was presented. 

After considering all the undeveloped sites on the island it was determined that a tract of land within 

the National Park Service property at Shell Point provided the greatest potential for a museum 

project. It was decided to pursue a lease agreement with Cape Lookout National Seashore as a 

building site for the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. More than a year later, a Memorandum of 

Understanding was signed on November 30, 1993, allowing construction of the Waterfowl Museum 

within Cape Lookout National Seashore on Harkers Island. 

We had a home and the work began. 

The “original seven” founders of the 

Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild 

Today, the Core Sound Waterfowl 

Museum & Heritage Center “at the 

end of the road” operates year round 

as a museum, educational facility, 

regional archive, meeting place for 

the community and a destination for 

heritage tourism travelers. Throughout 

the year events, programs and 

publications (in-print and online) 

continue to draw newcomers and 

natives together to learn more about 

the region’s past, celebrate its traditions 

and strengthen our shared commitment 

Groundbreaking at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum 

39 



to the future of our treasured cultural 

heritage and natural resources of this area. 

Thanks to the generosity of more than 

2500 members from across the state 

and region, a dedicated staff and board, 

hundreds of volunteers giving thousands 

of hours and a working partnership with 

Cape Lookout National Seashore, Core 

Sound is host to almost 30,000 visitors, 

students and local residents annually. 

Here carvers, collectors, writers, teachers, 

students, visitors, quilters, boatbuilders, Main Gallery Opening – Core Sound Waterfowl Museum 

storytellers, artists, fishermen, 

& Heritage Center 2009 

photographers, oral historians, researchers, 

scientists and visitors work together to 

keep Core Sound’s way of life a “living” heritage, grounded in the past and even stronger in the 

future. 

The museum’s work moves forward daily and the challenges are many, but the history of this 

organization tells the story of men and women who are dedicated to the vision this institution has 

set forth to serve this community as a “keeper” of the past, a “gathering place” for our communities 

today and a “visionary” that will make sure that future generations will never forget the truest 

meaning of Core Sound heritage. 

At the 25-year mark in 2017, the need for preserving Down East history with a focus on 

honoring and sharing the waterfowling, 

boatbuilding and fishing traditions of these 

communities. Today, sharing our stories 

is more important than ever as the next 

generation of Core Sounders – carvers, 

boatbuilders, teachers and community 

leaders work to “keep the past a part of our 

future” in our communities. 

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center - 

“At the End of the Road” 

Core Sound’s commitment to the region 

continues to grow and strengthen 

through the daily celebration of our 

living traditions and the safekeeping of 

our community treasures and stories, 

interpreted by the local community in the 

context of place-based science education 

for learners of all ages. Our vision for community sustainability and economic opportunities 

throughout the Core Sound region continues to expand through partnerships and collaborations 

statewide. 

This institution’s history and its role in the community today is an amazing example of what hard 

work, local investment and community vision can accomplish. The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum 

& Heritage Center is the tangible outcome of thousands of talented, generous people giving, 

working, believing in the value of Core Sound’s heritage ~ this place, our people, and our way of life. 

40 



History of the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 

In 1977, the concept of forming an association of decoy collectors in North Carolina was first 

envisioned by Malcolm Fleming and DC North, both residents of the Wilmington, NC area. 

Collecting decoys in the coastal areas of the state was evolving and a common interest among 

collectors was growing. The first meeting was held in 1978 at Malcolm’s house with 5 to 6 other 

collectors or carvers attending. The next meeting was held at the Pleasant Oaks Plantation on the 

Cape Fear River just outside of Wilmington. In 1979, Malcolm Fleming drew a sketch of a Lee 

Dudley teal that was adopted as the logo. This same sketch was used to create the current association 

logo that was designed and adopted by the association in 2010. Membership grew to around 50 

members over the years and in the early 1980s Donald Mayo, an attorney and member from New 

Bern, drafted bylaws for the group as a social association. 

The association was named the Carolina Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association. The purpose 

of the association was: to provide a medium of exchange of information about decoys; advance 

knowledge and interest in decoys; organize and conduct educational meetings about decoys; assist 

museums and other groups in advancing information about decoys, and finally to promote decoy 

collecting and carving. 

From the 1980s until 2005, the association’s activities were conducted as a social organization. 

Membership grew to 150 members in the 1990s and many educational and social events were held 

for the membership and public at large. With the evolution of the Core Sound Carvers Guild and 

the Back Bay Carvers Guild, the focus of the membership narrowed to collecting decoys. The decoy 

carvers evolved into two more specialized organizations, the Core Sound Carvers Guild and the Back 

Bay Carvers Guild. 

In 2005, under the guidance of then president, Kroghie Andresen and the board, the association 

formally changed its name to the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association through its 501C3 filing 

with the Secretary of State in North Carolina. From then on the contributions to support the 

organization were tax deductible. The bylaws were updated and the purpose expanded to include 

more involvement in decoy commerce. A code of ethics was adopted to provide a safe medium of 

exchange for the sale of decoys by dealers and collectors alike. The association became more involved 

in overseeing problems found in decoy sale transactions. Additionally, educational programs, support 

of the Harkers Island Festival and participation with museums sponsoring decoy exhibits were 

emphasized by the association. Today the association has over 120 active members, mostly in North 

Carolina. 

After the association became tax exempt, through the leadership of Lynn Wiggs, president and Jesse 

Sorrell, secretary/treasurer the association membership grew again. Educational programs across 

the state were well attended and the old decoy exhibit during the Harkers Island Festival helped 

regenerate more interest in the decoy association and carver’s guild activities. In 2011, to further 

support related museums and decoy festivals and specifically decoy education, the association 

published its first book. The book is entitled: Master Decoy Carver: Mitchell Fulcher. Donations 

from member collectors were made to produce the book. The Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 

then initiated a book donation program where books are donated to two other decoy related entities 

– the Core Sound Carvers Guild and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center. 

Through this book donation program, three decoy related entities are involved in educating the 

41 



collector community in decoy history by selling the Mitchell Fulcher book to the public. 

In 2013, Howard Johnson was elected as the new president of the association with the mandate 

to increase the club’s educational activities and further increase our involvement with the Harkers 

Island Festival. Through the energy of several new association members Robbie Smith, Chase Luker 

and Randy Nance and Jerry Talton with the carver’s guild, our interaction with the Core Sound 

Carvers Guild and the Harkers Island Festival in general increased dramatically. Additionally, the 

decoy auctions of the Roy Willis decoy collection which was held in the Core Sound Waterfowl 

Museum & Heritage Center was a united effort between the decoy association, the carver’s guild and 

the museum. The involvement of Doily Fulcher in documenting the decoy collection of Roy Willis 

and having the auction catalog published was a great historical accomplishment for Carteret County 

waterfowl heritage. This, accompanied with his appointment to the board of the museum, was 

hopefully a giant step in bringing the decoy association, museum and the carver’s guild leaders closer 

together. 

Additionally, the outstanding efforts by Robbie Smith, Doily Fulcher, Karen Amspacher and Jerry 

Talton in producing the video entitled Core Values was a huge success for the decoy association, 

carver’s guild and museum. They jointly worked together and produced a wonderful historical 

depiction of Core Sound waterfowl heritage and decoy carving. This effort will properly record the 

local history as we understand it today. 

The North Carolina chapter of Ducks Unlimited and the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association 

have forged a new working relationship lately. This is important for all concerned due to the 

historical connection of Ducks Unlimited to North Carolina. Joseph Knapp, the recognized founder 

of Ducks Unlimited, invested heavily in the 1920s in thousands of acres on Knotts Island, North 

Carolina and built a spacious hunting lodge and summer retreat with 32 rooms. Being an ardent 

hunter with wealth he became concerned with the declining duck population in 1930 and proceeded 

to try to do something about this drastic decline. Through his initial involvement with preserving 

the duck population, Ducks Unlimited evolved to be the largest and most successful waterfowl 

preservation organization in the world. Also, Beans Weatherly was one of our earliest decoy 

collectors, started the first DU chapter in 1954 in North Carolina. The decoy collector community 

also has a new connection with DU since Henry Kidd, another ardent decoy collector from Raleigh 

will be our next state chairman. The Carolina Decoy Collectors Association will continue to support 

Ducks Unlimited as much as possible. 

The carver’s guild was successful in sponsoring a ladies carving class in Carteret County this summer 

under the leadership of Jerry Talton. Hopefully, this will encourage more women to get involved in 

decoy carving and collecting. The decoy association helped finance this event. Additionally, Robbie 

Smith with the decoy association has been working closely with the museum to grow the new 

heritage auction in 2017 into an event that will continue into the future. Collectible quality Carteret 

County decoys can be donated by decoy owners and collectors. This should be very popular for 

North Carolina decoy collectors, particularly collectors looking for good Carteret County decoys. 

Looking into the future, the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association will strive to support decoy 

related activities and achieve its goals and objectives in creating a better environment for collectors, 

carvers, decoy related festivals, waterfowl heritage museums, decoy auction companies and other 

related organizations like Ducks Unlimited. 

42 



Thank you for your support of the 

CORE SOUND WATERFOWL 

MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER 

and the 

2017 HERITAGE AUCTION 

For more information about the Museum, its programs and 

ways to get involved, please visit 

CORESOUND.COM 



“Decoys are my way of holding onto the past.” 

— Joe Fulcher

Heritage Auction Final Digital 11-17

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