Description: Polaroid photograph of Wendell Gilley standing in his workshop. In front of him is a table holding a saw. Behind him to his right is a carving of a Canada goose.
Description: This article, titled "Capt. Black: Artist and Surgeon", describes Wendell Gilley's influence on sculptor Paul Black. It also mentions Gilley's Canada goose carved for Harry S. Truman.
Description: Wendell Gilley exhibits forty carvings plus carvings-in-progress at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences in the show "Down East Bird Carvings."
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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 congratulating Gilley on the success of the exhibition Downeast Bird Carvings of Wendell Gilley at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. On exhibit were sixty-one carvings of birds "on display together for the first time." 34, 272 people attended the exhibit during its ten week run from October 29, 1976 to January 7, 1977.
Description: Letter thanking Wendell Gilley for the loan of his carvings for the exhibit Downeast Bird Carvings by Wendell Gilley held at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Oct. 29, 1976 through Jan. 7, 1977
Description: Article from the Philadelphia Inquirer's society column by Ruth Seltzer describing the preparations for the exhibit Downeast Bird Carvings by Wendell Gilley. The exhibit was held at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. The photograph accompanying the article shows Barbara Tyson, a trustee of the Academy, helping unpack the carved birds.
Description: Invitation to a black tie dinner celebrating the opening of the exhibit Downeast Bird Carvings by Wendell Gilley at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa. On the back page is a handwritten note from Barbara Tyson to Wendell.
Description: Adult male Eastern bluebird ; ovoid pine base with multi-twigged branch rising from off-center; narrow-bodied bird sits on a lower twig, head turned to left and slightly raised ; glass eyes, metal feet, no visible legs. Inscribed: "Bluebird by Wendell Gilley for Harold and Gladys Townsend Xmas 1976" on underside of base
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: Wendell Gilley standing next to a life size great horned owl carving. Also shown are carvings of a Canada goose, woodcock, and an unpainted pair of cormorants.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Sign at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia for Wendell Gilley's Downeast Bird Carvings exhibit, October 29, 1976 through January 9, 1977.
Description: Canvasback drake in swimming position, adult plumage, scant carved detail ; completely withdrawn head, turned slightly to the right. Signed "by W. H. Gilley 1971"
Description: Adult in swimming position, head erect on slightly bent neck facing straight forward; glass eyes ; signed "Gilley 72" on underside where felt is cut away
Description: Now known as American Wigeon ; marked "Baldpate '74, #28" on underside of base ; humped "clamshell" base is a driftwood burl ; wire legs and metal feet with tiny talons; signed "Gilley" on left front of base
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: Two adult birds on a roughly "J" shaped driftwood base ; glass eyes ; cast lead legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right side of driftwood base below the sitting gull ; inscribed "Made for Hilda - Hulda Bragdon 1972" on underside of base.
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: Adult male in breeding plumage depicted on a wooden piling attached to egg-shaped pine base ; cast lead legs and feet, glass eyes ; signed "Gilley '75" on front of base. Underside of base marked: "Hilda and Hulda Bragdon, 1975" and signed "by Wendell Gilley"
Description: Adult bird balances on the front face of burl base with wire legs and toes with talons clutching downward ; deeply arched back with vertical tail and bill pointing almost to sky. Glass eyes. Signed "Gilley/'78" on top edge of base. Underside of base marked "House Wren 1978, #34" and stamped "Wendell H. Gilley".
Description: Glass eyes ; wire and metal feet and legs ; feet are atop a "stump" of a small branch mounted in turn on a carved pine base. Underside of base marked "Hermit Thrush by Wendell Gilley 1977.
Description: Approx. 1/4 life size group of four; two males, two females on driftwood branch mounted on smooth oblong wooden base. Underside of base inscribed "Wood Ducks by Wendell Gilley 1976".
Description: Number 102 of 1000 book edition. Contains 42 plates. Published by Frame House Printing. Also included with this book dontion are seven holiday cards created by Zimmerman and sent by him to the donor's parents.
Description: Saw-whet owl looking to the side, perched on driftwood branch attached to carved wooden base by single screw. Underside of base inscribed Saw-whet Owl 1/2 life size made for Mary Holmes 1973. Signed "Gilley" on lower part of driftwood branch.
Description: Great blue heron standing on driftwood branch. Metal legs and feet. Branch signed "Gilley '73" near feet. Underside inscribed "Gt. Blue Heron", "Addie Gilley",
Description: A guide to a fascinating hobby! Wendell Gilley was a bird watcher and artist who carved birds in wood on Mount Desert Island, Maine. He started out carving two-inch wooden birds for Abercrombie & Fitch. The book is beautifully illustrated with color photographs and with drawings.
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, 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: 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: 1/4 life size; folded wings, perched on natural base; glass eyes, painted, semi-detailed plumage markings. Signed: "Gilley '73" on right side of base.
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: 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; 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 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, 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: Miniature group on natural wooden base: male upright, wings hanging down, wire legs, painted feet; female nestled on wood, chicks between parent birds. Great degree of painted detail depicting adult and immature plumage. Signed "Gilley" on right side of base, underside marked: "Addie Gilley, Gilley."
Description: 1/4 life size; perched on driftwood mounted on carved wooden base, toes inaccurate: three front one rear instead of two and two; glass eyes, painted wired feet, painted detail. Signed lower right of natural wood: "Gilley." Underside of base marked: "Addie Gilley, Pileated Woodpecker, 1970, W.H. Gilley."
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: 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 natural wood base; carved and painted eyes, 3D legs and feet, painted adult plumage. Signed and dated "'75 Gilley" on rear side of base. Marked "Bufflehead, Addie" on underside.
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size adult bird; perched facing full forward on natural wood mounted on carved wooden base, front toes protruding from body, ear tufts semi-erect, screw visible on underside of limb, extra screw hole in base adjacent to existing screw attaching limb to base; glass eyes. Signed "Gilley '73" on right front of base. Marked "Addie Gilley, Screeched Owl, grey phase, 1973" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; mounted on natural wood base composed of two pieces, facing forward, head turned to right, front toes painted on to body; glass eyes. Signed "Gilley '72" on right side of base. Marked "Addie" on underside.
Description: Miniature; perched on driftwood "stump," attached to flat driftwood base, erect posture, facing forward; glass eyes, metal feet, adult plumage. Signed and dated "Gilley '73" on right side of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base. One of only three miniature eagles.
Description: Miniature; mounted on driftwood base, erect posture, head turned right; glass eyes, metal feet, adult plumage. Signed and dated "Gilley '73" on right side of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base. One of only three eagle miniatures.
Description: Life size; mounted on driftwood base, horizontal stance; glass eyes, wire legs and feet, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on right of base. Marked "Junco, Addie Gilley, 1970" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature; "swimming" swan, neck erect, facing forward; painted and carved detail. Stamped "Wendell H. Gilley, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679, male Whistling Swan made for Addie Gilley by (writing smeared.) Only swimming swan made by W.H. Gilley.
Description: Life size; perched on twig screwed onto carved wood base, head and tail erect; glass eyes, painted feather detail, wired by feet. Signed "Gilley '79" on left of base. Marked "Addie Gilley birthday, 1979: on underside of base.
Description: Life size; perched sideways on twig, mounted on carved wooden base, beak open; glass eyes, wire legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right front of base as well as underside of base. Marked "Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, body horizontal, head erect, facing forward, right foot raised with only middle toe touching base; glass eyes, carved, burned and painted feather detail, wire legs and feet. Signed "Gilley" on right of base. Marked and dates "Killdeer, Addie Gilley, 1975" on underside of base.
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: Life size; adult nestled on natural wood base, head pulled down, beak pointing downward, toes protruding; glass eyes, wire toes, painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on base. Marked and dated "Woodcock, 1971, Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; perched on driftwood base, stands erect, tail horizontal; glass eyes, painted detail, wire legs and feet. Smeared signature on right side of base, "Gilley." Marked and dated "Ring-necked Pheasant by W. Gilley, 1973, Addie" on underside of base.
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.