Detroit's Decoy Dynasty

On display at DU's Waterfowling Heritage Center
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Memphis, TN

This exciting exhibit celebrates Detroit's original "Big Three" decoy makers—George Petersen, Jasper N. Dodge, and William J. Mason. This pioneering trio of early decoy manufacturers produced thousands of working waterfowl decoys from the late 1800s to the mid-1920s.

DetroitDecoys

James Goodman's collection of wooden mallard decoys highlights the gradual evolution of Detroit's commercial decoys, from the early backyard models to the later mass-produced Mason's. This display captures the profound impact that these three factories had not only had on one another, but also on numerous decoy makers throughout North America. The collection marks another chapter in Waterfowling Heritage Center's efforts to chronicle the remarkable story of American waterfowling.

About the Curators

James Goodman began collecting factory-made Detroit decoys more than 30 years ago. In addition to being a passionate decoy collector, he is a lifetime donor of Ducks Unlimited and an avid duck hunter. He lives in western Iowa and is a member of the Greenhead Duck Club.

JimGoodman

William A. Dodge has been collecting decoys for over 40 years. He is a historian of Dodge Decoys and the author of Detroit Decoy Dynasty: The Factory Decoys of Petersen, Dodge, and Mason.

BillDodge

Together, Jim and Bill have curated this exhibit of Detroit Factory Decoys to display the relationship between the three early factories and their influence on North America's decoys.

Early Factory Mallard Drake
George Petersen Factory
By 1873, Petersen was producing decoys for the waterfowling market. These early decoys had thin bodies and narrow heads.

EarlyFactoryMallardDrake

Premier Canvasback Pair
Mason's Decoy Factory
This pair of very early Premier Canvasbacks with extremely long bills are pictured on the dust jacket of Detroit Decoy Dynasty.

CanvasbackPair

Middle Factory Mallard Pair
J.N. Dodge Decoy Factory–Circa 1885
These mallards represent the Dodge Factory's finest work. The boldly painted glass-eye Number 1 decoys are from the Peter A. Lee Norman group of samples.

MiddleFactoryMallardPair

Mason Premier Mallard Pair
Mason's Decoy Factory
During the 1890s, Mason's factory produced its most detailed and finest decoys. This hollow Premier-grade pair exhibits Mason's best paint patterns.

MasonMallardPair

Collaborative Mallard Drake
J.N. Dodge and William Mason
During the 1890s, demand for greater quantities and less expensive decoys increased. It is believed that the Mason and Dodge factories freely interacted to mass-produce decoys. This decoy has a Mason head with a Dodge body and paint scheme.

CollaborativeMallardDrake