Robert G. Kerr, Carver
Text by Tom Davis
192 pairs of waterfowl are illustrated
Signed by the artist
Hardcover
·
140 Pages
·
8 ½" x 11"
Bob Kerr began carving decoys just a few years
after World War II ended. In those days decorative birds were carved only
occasionally as a break from the business of carving a dozen or two dozen of the
same species for use in a marsh or cove in a lake. For years he carved only
working decoys, but in the 1960’s he attended the decoy show in Syracuse, New
York. He was captivated by the decorative waterfowl that he saw, and returned
to his home in Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada, determined to make the best
decoratives he could create for next year’s contest. He did and came home with
a few blue ribbons. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s he won many awards and
established himself as one of the top carvers.
One day, on a lark, he carved a pair of
green-wing teal in miniature, approximately one-fifth life size. Collectors
loved them and he began to carve other species in the same scale. One thing led
to another until one collector asked him to carve and paint a pair of every
duck, goose, and swan in the world.
The entire miniature collection plus many
full-size carvings are photographed in this book. It is a testimony to a carver
who had a great influence on other carvers of that era and on present day
carvers. It contains 211 full color photos on 140 pages. The format is 8 ½” x
11” and 192 pairs of waterfowl in miniature are illustrated as well as some of
Bob’s early working decoys and some full-size decoratives. The text by
well-known writer Tom Davis is fascinating reading and gives much insight to the
persona of Bob Kerr. It is fascinating reading, and covers carvings that occur
in no other book. It is limited to 1,100 copies, all signed by Bob Kerr.