Is being a rare duck call collector really worth it?

Whether you are a waterfowl hunter or just interested in waterfowl you are more then likely aware of duck and goose calls. These tools provide the active link between the hunter and the prey. In the hand of an experienced sportsperson these simple tools become magical musical instruments. They allow us to communicate with the birds, drawing their attention to your decoys and help in bringing them in close enough to get off a shot. The call makes the hunter a proactive part in the hunt experience. Many find it great sport in just calling the birds, watching them work, bringing around closer and closer and them enjoying watching them land in and around the decoys. Often never taking aim or shouldering the gun. The joy of the experience to some far outweighs the ability to shoot. This is where it is for me, the success of the hunt is not as important as just being in the field to enjoy the nature of it all. Waterfowling game calls have a colorful, although short history. In the articles that follow I hope to share with you some basic historical facts.

One of the greatest joys of collecting comes with using the items you own and love. Whether it's your grandfather's old trusty or the one you scrimped and saved to buy as a child you've painstakingly gathered piece by piece over the years, displaying those for guests. Often in ebay you can find turners that are likely to be highly collectable in the future selling their work at a large discount. There are several out there that regularly sell far below what their calls should go for. Remember this to is a form of Art! 

As an avid collector of Duck Calls from the US - I hope this guide will provide the new and curious collector with some essential information before diving into this wonderful hobby.  It is a quick and basic guide to collecting Duck Calls. I will leave it up to the individual to pursue their dreams and determine the answer to the question. But here are a few facts and thoughts to ponder. 

Basic History of Callmaking

The history of waterfowl hunting is centered along the eastern shores of the US. and the beginnings of Callmaking is credited to along the Mississippi Flyway in the Illinois area. Eastern Shore hunting centered on the big diving ducks, Canvasbacks, Red Heads, Scaup and others. These birds all decoyed well but do not respond well to a call. As a result the emphasis in these areas was on the decoy and not the call. Many of the country’s most noted and historic decoy makers came from areas in and around the eastern shores from New York down through Virginia.
The Mississippi flyway on the other hand was heavily populated with Mallards and other Dabbling ducks. These birds would not only respond to the decoys but also responded well to the call. Because of this fact the call as we know it today was developed in and around this flyway. Although the exact date of the first call is unknown it is believed to have been around the time of 1850.

Early duck hunters used live tame birds to lure the wild birds into gun shot range. They would take the birds to the field and as the wild ducks flew overhead the tame birds would call to them attacking their attention As the wild birds came into them the hunters would take aim and shoot. Needless to say, caring and keeping of tame birds was hard work and took time. Because not everyone was able to do that many early hunters became experienced in mouth calling. From working with and being around the tame birds early hunters learned their sounds and imitated them with their mouth. This lead to the development of mechanical devices to improve on that. Mouth calling was limited the volume a person could produce as well as the ability to make the sounds for many people. In 1935 the use of live birds was outlawed and this even created more of a need and interest in game calls.

Fred Allen, of Monmouth IL., is given credit for making the first modern call in 1863. Charles Grubbs, of Senachwine Lake area, is the first person credited for commercial advertising of his calls in 1868. Elam Fisher, of the Detroit area, is credited for the patent of the first duck call in the year 1870. This was referred to as the "Tongue Pincher."  The first actual evidence of call advertising comes in an 1880’s issue of "Forest and Stream" magazine by Fred Allen. The call was reported to have sold for one dollar. Grubbs calls were advertised in the 1889 and the 1890 Montgomery Ward Catalog.

The first barreled calls, known as the "Early Illinois Style" were the next generation of calls. Famous makers like F.A. Allen, C.W, Grubbs and G. Peterson are makers from this era. The design of these calls centered around a straight tone board, a half round cork wedge block metal reed. The turned barrel was used to retain the parts. Fred Allen is credited as being the first to use this style. During this time period a similar style surfaced known as the Real Foot Call. these calls in design were much like the Early Illinois calls, the wedge block was made of wood and the barrels were often decorated. One of the most noteworthy makers of with design was Victor Glodo ( 1880).

These two styles of calls continued for a long time. Many famous makers followed along these lines. Names like J. T. Beckhart, G. D. Kinny, J. Cochran and T. Turpin are just some of those callmakers. Between the years 1900 and 1910 the design of calls started to see a shift which took Callmaking into the next era. The straight tone board was replaced with a curved boards. In addition the wedge was being replaced with a groove and cork locking system. We also started to see materials being used other then wood. Philip Olt started to make his hard rubber calls during this time.

Although many of the early call designs are still made today the two major design styles centered on the Arkansas style as it evolved from the Illinois style and the Reel Foot design style with the wedge block. The Reel foot calls seem to be produced more from the southern states while the Arkansas calls more from the northern states. Starting with about 1950 custom callmakers fit into the category known as the contemporary class. These makers are known for stretching the envelope in terms of design, materials, decorations and fancy finishes. These fancy calls often command high prices and are produced by a number of makers across the country often as cottage type industries. It must be noted however, that not all custom calls are of high tone quality. Many calls are produced for looks rather then spending the time developing tone quality.

This early history is well documented in "Duck Calls An Enduring American Folk Art" by Howard Harlen and W. Crew Anderson and "Duck Calls Of Illinois 1863 - 1963" by Robert D. Christensen. Both books are outstanding and contain excellent detailed information. Most of what I know about the older calls comes from these pages. If you are interested in the more modern contemporary calls I could suggest purchasing "Custom Calls" by James C. Fleming Jr. This book deals with today’s makers and is an excellent information source for the contemporary modern day calls.

For the new collector - there are a few things to consider:

1) Original finish - yes or no?  The older calls with a little patina are more acceptable to the collecting community - I am a strong believer in this.  These calls were used very hard and so refinishing was necessary to keep in tip top shape.  Original calls are certainly out there and are wonderful - but are tough to find...and when you do...they may demand very high prices.  But through study...you should know what originals should look like - especially because there are individuals that strip old stain off and then attempt to pass them off as being in original or "mostly" original.  They have even gone as far as saying that old stain has no historical value whatsoever...which I believe is just crazy!  In my opinion and I think a few others would agree - old originals may contain much history.  These individuals are also in belief that stripping old scares off an old call increases its value...I do not agree with this one bit!  This is just their grand selling ploy to get the novice collector to take the bait.  They buy them very cheap and sell them for a crazy price after giving them a make-over.  These refinished calls pretty much all have a certain not very appealing "look" to them...so make sure you learn what they look like.  Old calls have old patina and in the patina it holds history...so keep and leave it as found and display it proudly on the shelf.  One last word on refinishing - refinishing no doubt has its place...as does other types of restoration.  Refinishing performed by a real professional can be very pleasing to the eye of a particular collector. 

2) Original reed - yes or no?  Again, old calls were used very hard and there were not plenty of them available. So many of the reeds have been replaced yet there is possibility that some could come with the original provided by the calls maker. Because of too much possibility of doubt, this really doesn’t weigh a lot of the calls final value.  This again is a personal preference...if this does not bother you then that is just fine - I would only hope that a seller would make this information available to the best of their knowledge.  However, it is up to you to know what to look for and determine if it is old enough to go with the call. Look at spacing between the barrel and flute - does it appear to fit nice and tight - or is there too much space that can not be attributed to normal wood shrinkage or swelling over time? Is there a cork or rubber stopper? X-rays are another option...and some Veterinarian practices would be more than happy to snap a few radiographs of that stationary patient for the cost of film and developing.  Once you get the radiographs in hand...get them interpreted by someone who has looked at them before...most serious collectors have at one time or another used radiographs to determine a calls authenticity.  Keep in mind that some calls may have original marriages of a barrel by one maker and a flute by another. Just make sure you are aware if it is original or not - as this certainly influences its overall collectibility.

3) Is the signature the end all?  Some collectors feel that the only good call is a signed call.  This is certainly not totally true.  Back in the day...do you really think signing a call was a priority...I really and highly doubt it. Also, some signatures are down right forged...and placed on calls that may look similar to a specific maker...just beware.  A signed call is a great bonus...but try not to get too stuck on signatures.  If your collecting the real old ones...well you can forget about them being signed - although they may have the makers personal brand!

4) Do you like the way it looks. If so, many other people going after the same item will like it to. Things to consider in look is the wood type. One recent ebay'r has listed the many varieties of wood on his site and the characters of each of the woods he uses. This is a great place to visit to become a little more educated on the differences of Orange Osage and African Blackwood. I am not listing the site in fairness to everyone. But it is easily found when searching for Duck Calls. Check out their sellers stores and you will find it.  

5) Your piggy bank - big or small?  We all have a specific budget...so stick to it.  My suggestion is to collect Quality versus Quantity.  If this means saving your money to buy one great call or 5 not so great calls...buy the one great call - you will be happy you did later down the road!  But when all is said and done...buy what you like - your the one that has to live with your purchase and share it with your guests. So do your homework before you buy and be patient - you want to get the best you can for your money! Sometimes in auction others are not watching and you can pick up a great call for a steal. You never know, Just keep trying!

6)  Back to school!  Take the time to learn as much as you can about the makers and their calls you plan on collecting...this means study books, magazines, auction catalogs, and other forms of reference materials related to your interests.  Also, talk to those that are more experienced with collecting.  Look for call makers discussion forum to soak up some useful information. Good Luck...and with this...comes increasing confidence at making sound collecting decisions.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my quick guide...if I missed something (and I am sure I did) - I apologize.  Bring it to my attention and I will consider adding it.  Some will agree with me and others will not...but that is the way it goes.

Happy Hunting and Keep you reeds Dry!