Miller & Miller to auction rare shorebirds and world champion decoys Oct. 28-29

Miller & Miller Auctions will hold two online-only decoy sales on Oct. 28 and 29, 2026, led by the complete Laurin Garland Collection of shorebirds and a second day of antique and contemporary decoys. Highlights include rare Long Island shorebirds, a Bowman brant goose, and work by world champion carvers.

Why it matters: - The two sales bring together rare North American shorebirds, historic Ontario decoys, and contemporary champion-made pieces in one online event. - The Laurin Garland Collection offers nearly 50 years of focused collecting in a category that is scarcer than duck or goose decoys and still actively studied. - The auctions include investment-grade examples with strong provenance, condition, and documented significance for serious decoy collectors.

What happened: - Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. scheduled two online-only decoy auctions for Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, 2026. - The Oct. 28 auction features 54 lots from the complete Laurin Garland Collection of shorebirds. - The Oct. 29 auction includes 201 lots of decoys and sporting goods. - Both sales will open live webcasts at 10:00 a.m. EDT and close lots sequentially in real time. - Bidding will be available through Miller & Miller Auctions and LiveAuctioneers, with phone and absentee bidding also accepted.

The details: - The Oct. 28 sale centers on rare North American shorebird decoys, especially Toronto-area birds, Maritime pieces by Prince Edward Island carvers John Ramsay and Adam Thomas, and classic Long Island traditions. - Lot 10 is a Brant goose by William “Bill” Bowman of Long Island, New York, estimated at $25,000-30,000 CAD. - The Bowman brant goose is hollow-bodied, fitted with German bead glass eyes, retains original paint and a worn finish, and carries both a Mackey stamp and EDGAR brand on the bottom. - Lot 1 is a Ruddy Turnstone attributed to Bowman or Charles Sumner Bunn, with a $20,000-30,000 CAD estimate. - The 11-inch Turnstone has pronounced cheek, wing, and tail carving, an inserted wood beak, German bead glass eyes, original paint, and gunning wear. - Lot 11 is a Toronto Ruddy Turnstone estimated at $15,000-20,000 CAD. - The Toronto bird reflects a little-documented Ontario shorebird tradition known for simple forms, wire legs in a wooden sand-shelf base, and painted or tack eyes. - Lot 11 retains its wood beak, tack eyes, sailcloth-wrapped wire legs, and an old wooden base. - Lot 22 is a rare Curlew by William H. Southard of Bellport, Long Island, estimated at $20,000-30,000 CAD. - The Southard curlew measures 15 inches, has pronounced wing carving, carved eyes, an inserted wood beak, original paint, and fine surface. - The Oct. 29 sale shifts toward contemporary world champion carvers while still including antique and classic decoys. - Lot 79 is a Rennardson Canvasback Hen from Toronto, Ontario, estimated at $6,000-8,000 CAD. - The Rennardson decoy dates to the third quarter of the 19th century and is considered one of the finest examples of Robert George Rennardson’s Toronto School low-head form. - Lot 24 is a 1985 Blue-winged Teal drake by Patrick Godin, estimated at $5,000-7,000 CAD. - Godin’s decoy is signed on the bottom and marked “First in Class—World Championship 1985.” - Lot 21 is a 1984 Jim Sprankle Black Duck Decoy, estimated at $4,000-6,000 CAD. - The Sprankle black duck won 1st Place in Species at the 1984 World Championship. - Lot 97 is a rare Mallard hen by Henry “Hank” Catton of Ridgetown, Ontario, estimated at $4,000-6,000 CAD. - The Catton bird dates to the first quarter of the 20th century and has near-mint original paint and a form influenced by Mason Decoy Company’s Premier-grade mallards. - The Mallard hen is documented in published research on southwestern Ontario waterfowl decoys. - Miller & Miller said the Garland collection is a rare opportunity to acquire shorebirds of exceptional quality. - Jason Halliday said the Oct. 29 sale brings together investment-grade antique and classic decoys with contemporary master work. - Miller & Miller is accepting quality consignments and directs consignment inquiries to its website at Miller & Miller Auctions.

Between the lines: - The sale underscores how decoy collecting spans both scholarship and art-market demand, especially when pieces have provenance, publication history, and competition awards. - The mix of museum-quality antiques and modern championship work suggests buyers are valuing craftsmanship as much as age. - The emphasis on rare shorebirds reflects a narrower, more specialized collecting category than mainstream waterfowl decoys.

What's next: - Bidding continues online until the lots close on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, 2026. - Miller & Miller will continue seeking consignments for future sales. - Collectors interested in the auctions can bid through the company platform or LiveAuctioneers.