Ever heard of Decoys Unlimited from Eria, PA?

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~

One of the stars of our When the Broadbill was King on Great South Bay documentary - Schuyler Watts - recalls that he purchased many of the birds pictured - during the 1950s or 60s - from Decoys Unlimited from Erie, PA. (If you have not seen the teaser yet, you can at: https://vimeo.com/116558936 )

Many of us are familiar with the Decoys Unlimited from Iowa - with their molds for use with foam beads, etc. But, neither Craig Kessler nor I have heard of a Decoys Unlimited from Erie.

QUESTION: Do you know of a decoy company from Erie PA that was called Decoys Unlimited - or something similar? Probably circa 1950s or 60s. The bodies were laminated balsa.


W9%20Watts%201%20-%20new%20decoys%201961_zpsmlipafnj.jpg


NOTE: This pile of Broadie-beaks seems to be a mix. Among others, I think I see some (like the topmost bird) balsa Herter's with Tenite heads.

Thanks very much!

SJS
 
Steve,

Many years ago I had a Black duck decoy by them. Pretty nice bird. Still had the white ink stamp on the bottom. Not too sure about the company, but it was in Erie, Pa. Jim
 
Steve- I believe the decoys my dad had when I started hunting in the late 50's were made by that company. The ones he had were more of a molded plastic. I still have about a dozen of these, but they are not in great shape. I will check that out when I get back to Minn.
 
Steve - Company was owned by legendary PA carver, Jack Sweet. They made laminated balsa birds primarily. Not sure of the company history but, I have some print on them in the old Decoy Collectors Guide. Will see if I can dig it out... Pat
 
Yep, I've heard of them...as well as Jack Sweet. The Havre De Grace decoy museum has a decoy in their collection from Decoys Unlimited - Erie, PA. Not sure if they would have any more info, but it may be worth a call to find out if you're looking for more info.

Steve
 
Jack Sweet was owner of the company from Erie & was the carver.
I believe he moved to Iowa at some point


I have 2 Cans he carved on my fireplace mantle - beautiful work


Bruce
Erie, PA
 
You bet I have heard of them, RD #5 Wattsburg Road, Erie, PA. Shot over some of them and had some go through my hands to other collectors. Damn fine Decoys and no doubt many are still in rigs all over the country. I have a Black duck preener marked Abercrombie and Fitch on one of my black duck shelves.

Many of the heads especially on the Blue Bills moved as the screw eye that held the head in place was the anchor tie. Sure wish I had held on to the ones I let go. The hens were even more impressive than the drakes. He made regular as well as oversize big water decoys, with consistent Comb Painting that is tough to beat.
 
A while ago I had some decoys that I believe were stamped Decoys Unlimited. They where heavy plastic birds with a steel keel. They were hand me downs from family in the Chautauqua lake region.

They were not as described above though.

I will dig around in the garage but I think they all got pitched. They were moldy and split all over.
 
Jack Sweet was owner of the company from Erie & was the carver.
I believe he moved to Iowa at some point


I have 2 Cans he carved on my fireplace mantle - beautiful work


Bruce
Erie, PA
Click to expand...

Decoys Unlimited in Clinton, IA isn't the same company. Arthur Landoff is the owner of Bigfoot Goose Decoys. He and a couple of friends started Decoys Unlimited in Iowa back in 1958. Here's a little history.

https://bigfootdecoys.com/aboutus
 
Steve, Jack Sweet founded Decoys Unlimited (named to resemble Ducks Unlimited) in 1953 and remained in business in Erie, PA until 1976. Jack produced various commercial grade hard balsa /wood headed /keeled hunting decoys in different sizes on a twenty four capacity duplicator, then hand painted and finished utilizing a lot of comb painting. Sold a lot of birds through Ambercrombie/Fitch. Advertised nationally in Hal Sorenson's "Decoy Collectors Guide" in the 1960's. He also carved decorative birds and competed in the New York National Decoy Shows in the early 1960's winning many ribbons and then later participating as a judge. Jack closed shop in 1976, moved with his wife to Idaho and opened a Sporting Goods business. Jack passed away in 2012 at the age of 84.
His decoys are still readily available at very reasonable prices at decoy shows and are great gunning birds.


Ken Zaborski
 
I do believe the plastic ones are no relation to the balsa, and some pine decoys. Jack Sweet made a good Decoy.
Click to expand...

Your are probably right. I couldn't find any of them, but thought they had that stamped on them, but that does not mean another maker did not use the same slogan or name.
 
Ken and everyone else~

Thanks so much for all of this great information. It now resides comfortably on my hard drive (better than just my memory banks). I will have to take a real close look at these DU birds at the Show on March 7.

All the best,

SJS
 
Steve - If you go to either of the Ohio decoy shows I do believe you will see some good Decoy Unlimited, Erie, PA decoys offered for sale. Lots of avid collectors of those decoys there, so get there early.
Some of the rarer decoys, such as Scoters fetch some pretty hefty prices (at least for my pocket).
 
That is the thickest decoy line I have ever seen. around me my singles weights are a full ladle as a mold, the tide currents and seaweed drag anything less away. I doubt I could even use those like they are rigged
 
Arne~

Funny you should mention the line size. In the documentary, two of our speakers address the issue. 1/4" manilla was originally used to prevent tangling when stowed. But, catching weed was always a concern, too - which is why they eye-spliced the lines to each decoy rather than tying a knot. Schuyler Watts describes how they went smaller - to 3/16 - over time.

BTW: I like tarred, braided nylon #72 (about 1/8 inch) for singles - and have limited experience with trawls or long lines.

All the best,

SJS
 
I have a dozen of Jack Sweets Decoys. I will try to post some photos. They have very light balsa bodies. The magnums are as big as Canada geese decoys.


Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top