Description: Adult, standing on mesquite base, tail erect ; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned, and painted detail ; carved circa 1977, painted and completed winter, 1981. Signed "Gilley" with artist's branding iron on flat side of base. Companion piece 81.1.175.
Description: Life-size adult "running" on mesquite base ; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail ; carved circa 1977, painted and completed winter 1981. Unsigned. Companion piece 81.1.174.
Description: Approx. 2/3 life size; mounted on smooth mound base, horizontal stance facing forward; glass eyes, painted detail, wire legs set into base, painted feet. Signed and marked "White-throated Sparrow by W.H. Gilley, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; standing, face forward, legs set into carved, grey mound base; glass eyes, paint brush bristle "beard"; wattle detail carved in; painted plumage and feet. Marked "Addie Gilley, Turkey by W.H Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; legs set into carved, grey mound base; glass eyes, painted feet and detail. Marked "Addie Gilley, Pheasant by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; male and female on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, male standing, neck erect above crouched female with neck down; both with glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left of base. Marked "Wood Duck by W.H. Gilley, 1970-71, made for Addie Gilley, Feb. 20, 1971, Birthday" on underside.
Description: Life size; adult standing erect, chick fits between adult's feet, standing erect and looking up at adult; both with glass eyes, semi-detailed. Signed and marked "Made for Addie Gilley, Gilley 1976" on underside of adult. Chick signed "Gilley '76" and marked "Addie."
Description: Decorative eagle, head turned right, wings spread, talons clutching branch; unpainted, fitted for wall hanging. Signed "W.H. Gilley" on back. Marked "made especially for Addie B. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley." Smooth finish, all black body, head black, eye brown, black pupil, beak yellow/orange/blue-grey. [show more]
Description: Panel carved by Gilley Museum Artist-in-Residence Steven Valleau ca 1995 ; one of a series marking the fifteenth anniversary of the museum.
Description: Panel carved by Gilley Museum Artist-in-Residence Steven Valleau ca 1995 ; one of a series marking the fifteenth anniversary of the museum.
Description: Panel carved by Gilley Museum Artist-in-Residence Steven Valleau ca 1995 ; one of a series marking the fifteenth anniversary of the museum.
Description: Panel carved by Gilley Museum Artist-in-Residence Steven Valleau ca 1995 ; one of a series marking the fifteenth anniversary of the museum.
Description: Artist-in-Residence Steven Valleau at work on one of a series of panels for the outside of the museum building marking the museum's fifteenth anniversary.
Description: 1/5 Life size; perched on natural wood, incorrect toes (3 front, 1 back,) head turned over left shoulder; glass eyes, 3-D feet, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on right side of base, underside of base marked "Addie Birthday 1972."
Description: Life size adult in semi-upright stance, perched on twig attached to pear-shaped carved wooden base; glass eyes, has "observant look" ; metal legs/feet ; painted detail. Signed on base: "Gilley, '76." Underside marked: "Addie Gilley, 1976, 10."
Description: Life size; mounted on pear-shaped carved wooden base, perched sideways on branch, head turned forward; glass eyes. Signed "Gilley '76" on lower right. Underside marked: "Blue Bird by W.H Gilley 1976, 15."
Description: Life size; perched in downward stance on twig attached to carved wooden oblong base ; glass eyes, metal feet/legs ; blue paint partially rubbed off of head, back, and sides to give natural effect. Signed: "Gilley '76" on right side of base. Underside numbered "5."
Description: Life size, slightly oversized; perched on twig, mounted on carved oblong wooden base, horizontal stand, facing forward; glass eyes. Signed: "Gilley, '76" on right side of base, number 4 of 16. Underside marked "4 Addie Gilley."
Description: Two carvings, 1/3 Life size (chickadee is in proportion to owl); mounted on natural wood, owl at bottom facing forward, chickadee perched on branch to the left and above the owl. On owl, two toes forward and two backward; no feet on chickadee; glued onto branch, Chickadee has pinhead black eyes, owl has glass eyes, both with painted and carved detail. Signed: "Gilley '72"; marked "l. eared owl," on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; flying, wire screwed into body for hanging; glass eyes, painted feet and plumage, carved feather detail in wings. Signed "Giley," under left wing; marked "Addie Gilley."
Description: Miniature; Flying, screw eye in body for hanging, one extra hole present beneath screw eye; painted eyes, carved feet, feather detail carved into wings and tail, King Eider beak marking absent. Carved after the fashion of A. J. Dando's birds owned by Caroll Tyson. Signed: "Gilley," on underside of upper wing; Marked "Addie Gilley," on underside of lower wing.
Description: Miniature; flying carving, wire screwed into body for hanging; glass eyes, painted details of plumage and feet, some carved feather detail in wings; incorrect beak detail; artist copied from painting w/o front perspective. Signed: "Gilley" on white upper flank patch; "Addie Gilley" marked on underside of breast. Companion pieces: 81.1.15, 81.1.16.
Description: Miniature flying black duck; upper wing wired for hanging; no legs, marked underside of right wing: “Addie Gilley,” underside of left wing: “Black duck, Gilley.” Carved and painted detail of plumage; Early 10 birds.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; mounted on driftwood, upright posture, right leg slightly lifted; glass eyes, carved feet, painted adult plumage. Signed and dated "1965, Wilson Plover by W.H. Gilley." Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; mounted on driftwood base, standing up, neck drawn back, head turned slightly to left; carved feet, painted adult plumage details. Signed and dated "Gilley '72" on lower right side. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside.
Description: Miniature; mounted on driftwood, head turned around right shoulder, tail erect; glass eyes, carved feet, painted plumage. Unsigned. Marked "Made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; standing, head turned right, mounted on grey mound base; glass eyes, painted plumage, carved feet, carved detail of tail and feathers. Signed "Gilley, 1960," marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; mounted on carved, black mound base; glass eyes, painted plumage and feet. Marked "Addie Gilley, Puffin by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size adult; mounted on driftwood stump attached to carved oblong wooden base, perched upright, three toes of each foot protruding; glass eyes - somewhat marred, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed and dated "Gilley '76" on rear of driftwood.
Description: Photograph of Gilley chickadee carving used to sell blanks in the Warren Tool catalog. Note on reverse written by Warren Tool president Fred Clark: "Note: Carved chickadee (shown) personal gift from the late Wendall [sic] Gilley..."
Description: The published version of this draft appeared with the title "A Visit with Wendell Gilley, A Legend in the Carving World" in the National Carver's Museum publication, The Mallet. The author indicates that in Nov. 1979 Wendell told him about the planned building of the Wendell Gilley Museum.
Description: This letter is a reply to the Gilley Museum Director's request for a garden to be donated by the Garden Club of Mount Desert. It also mentions a carving of three gulls on a driftwood based that Mrs. Bancroft commissioned from Wendell Gilley.
Description: Letter concerning the packing and shipping of a pintail duck carving commissioned from Wendell Gilley by Norman Willock and returned to the museum for repair.
Description: Letter to the Museum Director about sending the museum copies of letters received from Wendell Gilley. Enclosed are two letters by Wendell Gilley to Mr. Stearns.
Description: Letter describes Mr. Silver's visit to Elmer Crowell's workshop where he purchased several miniature bird carvings, and his subsequent visit to Wendell Gilley's workshop. Enclosed are photographs of a greater yellowlegs and a duck carved by Crowell. Silver also describes Wendell Gilley's trip to Abercrombie and Fitch where he was inspired to start bird carving.
Description: This letter expresses Lucretia Evans' intention to donate her copy of Wendell Gilley's book Bird Carving, a Guide to a Fascinating Hobby, which she believed might be a first edition.
Description: Catalog of an exhibition of Wendell Gilley's bird carvings held at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia from October 29, 1976 through January 9, 1977
Description: Notecard reads "Dear Nina: We are lifelong summer residents of SWH and had the great fortune growing up to meet Wendell several times in his workshop while he was carving birds for my grandparents which we now cherish. My mother Linda Madara was asked by Downeast Magazine to write a story about Wendell and to photograph him and his carvings. We came across the text and original copy this summer and thought you may want it for the archives. Best regards, Ted Madara" Note accompanies a typescript of the magazine article, "Wendell Gilley - The Art of Fine Bird Carving" and photographic negatives. [show more]
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; adult on natural burl base, head turned slightly to right, hunched back, squatting; burned and painted detail, feet lead. Signed and dated "Gilley '74" on right of base. Marked "Green-winged teal by W. Gilley for Addie Gilley, 1974" on underside of base.
Description: 3 Guestbooks containing signatures of Wendell Gilley's visitors from March 1944 - Nov. 1951, July 24, 1971 - July 9, 1974, and July 12, 1974 - June 13, 1977. 1 notebook listing names of visitors to his workshop between May 1970 and July 24, 1971
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; mounted on pitted driftwood base, facing forward, standing with one leg raised; glass eyes, wire legs and feet, painted adult plumage. Signed, dated and marked "Semipalmated Plover by W.H. Gilley, 1965, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Solitary sandpiper perched with wings upright on driftwood branch ; spotted sandpiper standing, body tilted downward, on carved oblong base. Signed "Gilley" on left front of oblong base ; no date
Description: Letter to the president of Warren Tool Co. from artist Ekstrom about an article and artwork of Wendell Gilley's chickadee for Popular Woodworking. Ekstrom describes how he had to carve the chickadee himself before he could finish the article.
Description: Describes Wendell Gilley's visit to Herkimer New York where in 1967 Fenner invited him to be guest speaker at the National Woodcarvers Association Woodcarving Show held there. This letter is accompanied by photos of Wendell Gillley at the show.
Description: Letter to the President of Warren Tool Co., Fred Clark, concerning wood carving tools and ways of holding tools on a work bench. Also mentioned is a grouse carving loaned to Harry Meech, one of the founders of the National Carvers Museum.
Description: Photograph of a pair of cinnamon (?) teal carved by Wendell Gilley. Marked "Sam Rayburn" on reverse. "1958" written in blue ballpoint lower right corner.
Description: Christmas card featuring a carving of a family of bald eagles, the female perched on the edge of the nest of two chicks, the male on a branch above with wings spread. Marked 1969 on reverse of card
Description: Christmas card featuring a carved barn owl on a piece of driftwood. Signed "Addie & Wendell Gilley." Marked "Xmas 1976" on reverse side of card
Description: Postcard depicting a carved Canada goose which appears to be flying over a hedge ; "Canada Goose bird carving by Wendell Gilley" printed on reverse side of card.
Description: Postcard depicting a carved mallard on a driftwood base signed "Gilley" ; "Mallard Drake bird carving by Wendell Gilley" printed on reverse side of card.
Description: Christmas card featuring a carved saw-whet owl surrounded by snow covered greenery. Signed "Sincerely, Wendell & Addie Gilley" and dated 1967 on reverse side of card
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail, smooth finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish, black body, white wing patches, white patch by eye; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail, textured finish ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley."
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley." Smooth finish.
Description: The letter writer is asking for more information on Wendell Gilley after watching a Boston television program profiling him. She also mentions owning a Gilley carving of a mallard pair.
Description: Letter discusses publishing Gilley's book in a limited edition as well as including a photograph of Gilley with an osprey as an insert. It also mentions a carving of an owl and another of a bobwhite quail on a hatchet.
Description: Letter discusses sending text, artwork, and photos for the book, Art of Bird Carving, to Byron Cheever. Flying goose, bob-white and blue quail carvings are also mentioned.
Description: Life size; pair mounted on driftwood base, male stands erect on right, female squats on left, head toward ground; both have glass eyes, wire feet and legs, painted detail. Unsigned, unmarked.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size; Adult mounted on driftwood base, standing upright, body horizontal, neck erect, head turned slightly left; glass eyes, metal feet, carved and painted detail. Unsigned. Paint cracked at top of right leg.
Description: Wendell suggests carvings he had on hand that could be photographed to illustrate his book. Birds he suggests are: bob white quail, scaled quail, flock of 7 Canada geese, pair of Wilson snipe, pair of grouse, single woodcock, several miniature birds of all types, great blue heron with trout in mouth, group of three pintails, life size eagle, pair of life size wood duck, spotted sandpiper on mussel shell, life size pileated woodpecker, pair of eagles with two babies in nest. [show more]
Description: Photocopy from the original by Byron Cheever listing questions he had regarding publishing Gilley's book. Gilley's answers as dictated to Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. are in pencil after each question.
Description: Original letter from Byron Cheever, Publisher of North American Decoys, expressing Cheever's willingness to publish Wendell Gilley's book and asking questions about publication and printing details.
Description: Life size; adult male on driftwood base, standing, tail slightly raised, feathers spread, head turned slightly left, carved, burned and painted detail; glass eyes, metal feet. Marked "Ruffed Grouse by W.H. Gilley, 1973, property of Addie Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine" on underside of base.
Description: 3 miniature adults on driftwood base ; far left gull taking flight on toes, wings raised, beak agape; middle gull standing, wing partially raised, partially folded; right side gull standing, wings folded ; all with painted details, metal feet ; signed on side of base: "Gilley",
Description: 1/5 life size; on natural wooden base, hunched over as if watching for prey, toes positioned, 3 point back instead of natural 2:2; glass eyes, painted and carved detail. Signed: "Gilley '76" on right of base. Underside marked "Barn Owl by W.H. Gilley, Addie Gilley 1976."
Description: Marked "Model made by Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Carved on a carving machine. Assembled + painted by Wendell Gilley." Has round label "1M" on bottom.
Description: Hen standing on slice of driftwood, right foot forward, facing downward, crest erect, glass eyes, painted, carved, burned detail, metal legs and feet, signed on base, "Gilley '73," underside of base stamped "Wendell Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679, 'Scaled or Blue Quail (Hen)'."
Description: Letter describing O'Brien's sailing trip around Buckle Island, Swans Island and others and the eiders and ospreys he saw. This letter also mentions Gilley's idea for a museum.
Description: This letter acknowledges receipt of a letter and chisel from Gilley, and discusses various carvings including a spotted sandpiper on a mussel shell and two pairs of quail
Description: O'Brien acknowledges receipt of a spotted sandpiper carving from Gilley and discusses a handle Gillely designed for an X-Acto blade as well as decoy designs.
Description: This letter discusses correspondence between Wendell Gilley and Byron Cheever, author and magazine publisher, about Gilley's book. The author of the letter makes suggestions about paper and cover art and discusses copyright.
Description: Note from O'Brien included with a copy of a letter from Byron Cheever. O'Brien mentions having been asked by Peggy Rockefeller if Gilley would sell her a flock of geese.
Description: This letter praises Wendell Gilley's inventiveness, his carving and his book . O'Brien refers to a vise for holding decoys and carvings for painting that Wendell includes in the book.
Description: Letter acknowledges receipt of a copy of O'Brien's letter to Wendell H. Gilley. Cheever promises to work on the material for Gilley's book but says hes is in the process of getting the summer issue of North American Decoys ready for the printer.
Description: Cheever writes that he has received the materials for Gilley's book and that he read the new chapter on decoys and thought it was well done. He also talks about meeting carver Harold Haertel in Chicago at a meeting of decoy collectors.
Description: 2 pieces. Miniature swimming adult with carved and painted detail attached to lid of varnished pine box. Underside of box marked "Made by W.H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine". Lid has screw head visible in center of underside.
Description: Oversize decoy made and used by Wendell Gilley and Roger Rich ; one of 24 made circa 1945. Head and body 2 separate pieces. Gilley made model, carved heads, Rich made bodies; decoys are hollow with removable, turnable heads on square oak pegs, do not swivel in water ; well defined shape with some painted detail ; smooth finish, head has painted beak, white on top of head and nape, eyes carved in and painted ; underside stamped "W.H. Gilley." [show more]
Description: Life-size; Swimming, flat bottomed adult, head erect, facing inward; Glass eyed, smooth surface with some carved and painted decorative detail, several piece hollow construction. Signed and dated "W. Gilley, 1968" on underside.
Description: Life size; mounted on driftwood base, standing erect, right leg raised, head turned left; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked, dated and signed "for Addie Gilley, Upland Plover by W.H. Giley, 1974" on underside of base. Also called upland sandpiper Companion piece no. 81.1.97
Description: Life size; mounted on driftwood base, standing erect, left leg raised, head turned right; glass eyes, metal legs, burnt, carved and painted detail. Signed “Addie Gilley, Upland Plover, 1974, W.H Gilley” on underside of base. Small cracks at juncture of legs and body. Also called upland sandpiper. Companion piece no. 81.1.98.
Description: Life size; drake mounted on burned driftwood base, head turned left, beak down; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '74" on left side of base, marked "Blue-winged Teal by W.G. Gilley, 1974, made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Wendell Gilley standing in front of garage holding two carvings, an eagle and his first carving, a mallard made in 1930. On back of photo: "Wendell, Gilley, summer 1971, taken by Diane L. Kelly, his 1st & present bird in progress."
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, wings upraised, head turned left, beak agape; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley '71" on base. Marked made by Wendell Gilley, 1971, value $5,000, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size; stands up semi erect, head turned to left; metal feet, carved and painted detail. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside.
Description: Life size drake; standing on driftwood base, head erect, turned to left; Glass eyes, metal feet, carved , burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on left rear of base. Marked "For Addie Gilley, Green -winged Teal by W.H. Gilley, 1974" on underside of base. Stamped "W.H. Gilley" between legs.