Duck Decoys on display at 2012 SEWE

Pintail decoy in Coen collection - photo by Jack Alterman

Dick Coen hunting at age 8

A private collection of duck decoys owned by Charleston resident Dick Coen will be on display at the Aiken-Rhett House all three days of SEWE, February 17 - 19. The exhibit benefits the Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) but a regular day pass for SEWE admits patrons to view this museum-quality decoy collection. An 80-page booklet documenting the collection, co-authored by HCF curator Brandy Culp and Mr. Coen, will be available for $20 so that waterfowl enthusiasts can enjoy reviewing  this decoy collection in the future. What makes this collection so palpable for Mr. Coen is that his father carved some of the decoys in the collection, and as a private landowner he is tasked with preserving waterfowl impoundments along the Cooper River that have historic value. The decoy collection is just one sign of the life-long respect that the Coen family has for migratory waterfowl!

"I have known Dick and Vereen Coen for over twenty years, during which time I have had the chance to visit the majority of the top decoy collections in the country. I can state without hesitation that the Coen's collection is amongst the best. Very few collections I have ever seen are as strong across the board. Dick and Vereen have always done their homework and sought out only the very best. Being able to view this collection up close gives one an instant education in what to seek as a collector."
-Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. , Chairman - Copley Fine Art Auctions

Photos courtesy the HCF.

Merganser decoy in Coen collection - photo by Jack Alterman

To view past blog entries about the 2012 SEWE click here.