RARE COLLECTIBLE CARDBOARD GOOSE DECOY This is a Herters model 201 made around 1957 They are made of cardboard with the chest piece stapled to the body piece.  The head is two layers of cardboard and it attaches to the body with interlocking slots.  They originally sold for $18.00 a dozen and considering the material they're made of they are in excellent condition, which is what makes them so rare.  It was very difficult to find information about them but we finally found H. C. Pitt, renowned decoy expert, and he gave them a positive identification.  I have two left for sale.  They are $35.00 a peice plus shipping and handling.

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A Golden Opportunity as Goebel named NWTF's Artist of the Year
By Jared Felkins and Doug Howlett
 

Though no one would argue Wilhelm Goebel’s talent in bringing nature to life through art, one might wonder where a Bachelor’s degree in biology fit into the picture.  According to Goebel, that degree from Ithaca College in New York early in his career means quite a bit when it comes to recreating wildlife on the canvas. "Biology has always helped me with anatomy and observation," Goebel said from his Salisbury, Md., home. "The science I was doing at the time was in the laboratory, so I knew it was either get my Ph.D. or go for the art. I went for the art." And that major career move in his life has paid off with numerous awards and recognition, including his latest in being honored as the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2002 Artist of the Year for his painting "Golden Opportunity."

The NWTF, an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of the hunting tradition in North America, is made up of 1,800 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Each chapter holds at least one fund-raising banquet each year. These banquets are often considered among the top social events in their communities, a key reason being the availability of exclusive merchandise like paintings and sculptures by artists of Goebel’s caliber.

A love for nature his entire life is what Goebel labels as his primary reason for being awarded the NWTF’s most prestigious artistic honor.

"It’s a subject I grew up enjoying," Goebel said. "The things that interested me were birds and animals. In my teen years, I thought I wanted to be a wildlife artist because of all the things I was exposed to in magazines. All my inspiration comes from nature."

In the painting, "Golden Opportunity," Goebel spares no detail with the depiction of two brilliantly-colored gobblers moving in on another group of turkeys. The opportunity lies in these gobblers finding the fancy of the hens. A double meaning is also found in the title as the story unfolds on a brilliant field of yellow buttercups.

"This is the gobblers’ opportunity to push the others away and take advantage of their harem," Goebel said. "It’s based on what I have observed in the field. It was a neat scene, especially with the buttercups."
 

How it all comes together Though Goebel is an avid hunter, sometimes his outdoor shooting is done with a camera. He is quick to note, however, it is merely for reference material. His various subjects of wild turkeys, deer and other animals come from his memory. "It’s a combination of things," Goebel said. "I take the camera out in the field with me in order to reference a rock or interesting tree. When I get my reference on the canvas, I fill it in with the subjects." His love of the outdoors, Goebel said, keeps him in the woods, on average, about once a week. There also are those times when cabin fever sets in and he takes a longer trip.

"When I feel a little blocked, I take a research trip for some time," Goebel said. "After a trip, I can’t wait to get back to the studio and apply all I have seen."

And these field trips aren’t your usual family vacations. Trips Goebel has taken include visiting Yellowstone National Park in both Montana and Wyoming, Trinidad and Tobago, the Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada and Everglades National Park in Florida.

In every aspect, Goebel’s love for art and the outdoors is why he keeps building on his 22-year career.

"It’s my sole means of income, but it’s more of a passion," Goebel said. "Right now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else."

The early years
Goebel was born on July 1, 1960 in New Brunswick, N.J. His first solo exhibition came in 1979 at Ithaca College and was followed by another in 1981. Throughout his college years, and for many years after, Goebel has continued to impress art enthusiasts across the nation.

But he has never forgotten his roots. Goebel credits much of his artistic learning to a man by the name of Don Eckelberry.

"He became my artistic mentor," Goebel said. "He made me open my eyes, and it dramatically improved my work at that time."

An accomplished artist
From Hallmark Greeting Cards to Healthy Planet, Goebel’s work can be found in a number of unlikely places. He also is licensed to companies such as Sunrise Publications, FX Schmid, Inc., the Canadian Wildlife Federation, The Bradford Exchange, the National Audubon Society and the Hammond Calendar. Goebel has had his artwork featured on various state stamps along the East Coast almost every year since 1989.

In addition, he has been featured in a number of outdoor magazines, including Turkey Call, Outdoor Life, National Wildlife Magazine and others. He also has served on the executive board of the Society of Animal Artists. His art is represented by Applejack Art Partners in Vermont.

All these accomplishments, and many more to come, are not too shabby for a once aspiring biologist. Thankfully, Wilhelm Goebel chose art instead.

Goebel’s print, "Golden Opportunity" and many other exclusive pieces of wildlife art are available only at National Wild Turkey Federation banquets around the country. To find out when a banquet will be held in your area, call the NWTF at 800-THE NWTF or check out the organization’s web site at www.nwtf.org.

TREASURE FOUND!

I have been hitting some auctions. I bought an old .22 box about 2 months ago for $28.  For grins, I put it on Ebay. Come to find out, there was only one other known like it.  It was in excellent condition from a steamer trunk. Dated 1890.  Went for $610....  I have been scouring the auctions ever since... My first time- beginner's luck. Randy

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