Johnsons Folding Decoys Mallard and Drake

This great pair of hunting decoys was manufactured by the William R. Johnson Company in Seattle, Washington in the 1930's. They're made of lithographed and waxed cardboard and can fold flat for transport. Each is furnished with a wooden base that slides into the decoy to stabilize it. It's rigged with a cord that's used to tie it to a stake out in the field. We've included a picture of a 1929 Johnson's ad in National Sportsman Magazine...Stake Out Ducks $4.20 a dozen!

Both the mallard drake and hen measure 16 inches long beak to tail and 7 1/2 inches tall to the top of the head and each weighs a half pound. The two sides come stapled together along the upper edges to keep them from separating. The bases are printed with a description and instructions for using.

Each one is printed with "U.S. Patent Pending." According to Johnson's patent number US2435083A of 1948 {applied for in 1944}, he originally patented the decoys in 1913; the 1948 patent was for improvements to his designs. You can view the later patent here: https://patents.google.com/patent/US2435083A/en

Given that they look like they have been hunted over, the ducks are in very good condition, with the colors still fairly strong and no damage or missing pieces. They make a great display on your shelf or table. with or without other decoys.

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