Charles E Shang Wheeler Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Charles E Shang Wheeler Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 10, 2024
Charles E. 'Shang' Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
Early hollow carved preening black duck. Very similar to the work of Albert Laing. Rig brand on the underside. Measures 14.5" long.
Guyette & Deeter
Nov. 10, 2024
Charles E. 'Shang' Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
Excellent hollow carved black duck with slightly turned head. Scratch feather paint detail on head and neck. Decoy was never rigged or weighted. Measures 18" long.
Guyette & Deeter
Jul. 27, 2024
Charles E. Shang Wheeler (1872 - 1949), pen and ink
Est: $1,000 - $1,400
Three flying black ducks. Signed "Shang" lower right. Also with ink remark on mat of a labrador retrieving duck to his hunter. An acid free barrier has been added between artwork and matting, that is not visible, but will prevent future discoloration. Mat measures 15.25" x 12.5".
Guyette & Deeter
Jul. 27, 2024
Charles E. Shang Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Bluebill drake. Balsa body with comb painting on back. 13" long.
Guyette & Deeter
Jul. 27, 2024
Charles E. Shang Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
Hollow carved black duck with slightly turned head and scratch feather paint detail on head and neck. Other black ducks from this rig have had "Wheeler" carved on the underside, as well as written inscriptions to friends, as these were often gifted to the maker's friends. This example has had that carving and writing removed from the underside. Measures 18.25" long.
Guyette & Deeter
Jul. 26, 2024
Charles E. 'Shang' Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Decorative sora rail on carved wooden lily pad. In running pose with dropped wing carving and raised tail. Measures 7.5” long, 7” tall.
Guyette & Deeter
Jul. 26, 2024
Charles E. 'Shang' Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $50,000 - $80,000
Outstanding sleeping black duck. Hollow carved with head turned, resting on back. Bill is buried under back feathers. Scratch feather paint detail on head and neck. Retains the original leather line tie and Stratford style ‘tear drop’ lead weight. Measures 16” long.
Guyette & Deeter
Apr. 25, 2024
Charles E. 'Shang' Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut.
Est: $50,000 - $80,000
Extremely rare and outstanding canvasback hen. In preening pose with excellent detailed head carving and slight relief wing tips. Hollow carved with comb feather paint detail, including on the underside. Retains the original leather line tie and Stratford style "tear drop" weight. Measures 14" long.
Guyette & Deeter
Apr. 04, 2024
SHANG WHEELER BLACK DUCK DECOY HEAD Stratford, Connecticut, 1872-1949 Length 6".
Est: $300 - $500
SHANG WHEELER BLACK DUCK DECOY HEAD Stratford, Connecticut, 1872-1949 Glass eyes.
Eldred's
Aug. 09, 2023
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872 - 1949), oil on board.
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
A single flying grouse in autumn landscape. Signed lower right. Pictured on p. 65 of "Shang" by Dixon Merkt. 19.75" x 15.5".
Guyette & Deeter
Feb. 24, 2022
CHARLES "SHANG" WHEELER (1872-1949) DUCK DRAWING
Est: $700 - $900
Original drawing in pen and ink, with additional remarque sketching on mat. Standing duck, possibly a Green-Winged Teal. Signed in flower at lower right corner of mat. Dimensions: (Frame) H 15.5" x W 19.5" (Sight) H 6" x W 9.75" Condition: Not examined out of frame. Small piece of debris stuck behind glass; may leave a small spot of soiling to paper. Paper with light age toning around mat edge; mat with minor sun fading. Some wear to frame.
Westport Auction
Feb. 24, 2022
CHARLES "SHANG" WHEELER (1872-1949) DRAWING
Est: $700 - $900
Original drawing in pen and ink of a standing, with additional remark sketches on mat. Apparently unsigned. Dimensions: (Frame) H 15.5" x W 19.5" (Sight) H 6" x W 9.75" Condition: Not examined out of frame. Paper with light fading and some age toning around mat edge; some surface dirt inside glass and possible soiling to paper and mat; sun fading to mat. Wear to frame.
Westport Auction
May. 10, 2018
WHITE WING SCOTER DRAKE CHARLES E. (SHANG) WHEELER (1872-1949), STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, CIRCA 1934
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
WHITE WING SCOTER DRAKE CHARLES E. (SHANG) WHEELER (1872-1949), STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, CIRCA 1934 16 ½ in. long
Christie's
May. 10, 2018
WOOD DUCK DRAKE AND HEN CHARLES E. (SHANG) WHEELER (1872-1949), STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, CIRCA 1930
Est: $50,000 - $70,000
WOOD DUCK DRAKE AND HEN CHARLES E. (SHANG) WHEELER (1872-1949), STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, CIRCA 1930 14 in. long (drake); 13 in. long (hen)
Christie's
May. 10, 2018
STANDING WOOD DUCK DRAKE CHARLES E. (SHANG) WHEELER (1872-1949), STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, DATED 1942
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
STANDING WOOD DUCK DRAKE CHARLES E. (SHANG) WHEELER (1872-1949), STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT, DATED 1942 10 in. long
Christie's
Jan. 21, 2018
CHARLES SHANG WHEELER (1872 - 1949) | Bluefish
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
inscribed in pencil caught at Fisher's Island, Guilford, Ct, under the dorsal fin; signed "Shang" on the tail.
Sotheby's
Jul. 22, 2016
Cork Black Duck by Shang Wheeler
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Gunning black duck c1936 by Charles E. (“Shang”) Wheeler (1872 - 1949) of Stratford, Connecticut. Cork body with wooden head and inlet tail. Carved wingtip separation. Strong original gunning condition. One small chip to cork on left breast and a small chip off the underside of the bill. A nice example of a working black in untouched, “out of rig” condition by one of the founders of the Stratford School of carving. The decoy is accompanied by a signed letter from Tom Marshall of Fairfield, CT.
Decoys Unlimited, Inc
Feb. 12, 2015
Wood Duck Pair
Est: $35,000 - $45,000
An extremely rare, preening wood duck drake and a turned-head hen. The pair exhibit carved bill detail, glass eyes, delicate crests, and raised wing tips. In 1923 Wheeler arrived on the competition carving scene with a bang. A newly formed conservation group led by Joel Barber called the Anti-Dusker Society sponsored one of the first decoy shows in the country in Bellport, Long Island. A carving competition held at the event was aimed at hunters in attendance to further advance the concept of shooting over decoys. The inaugural event attracted amateur and professional carvers from near and far, and it was Wheeler who took home top amateur honors. Joel Barber stated that Wheeler's model had demonstrated "the highest development yet reached in the American art of decoy carving." According to authors Merkt and Lytle, "Wheeler carted off first prize at Bellport because he had introduced a new style to decoy painting." This preening drake displays many of the elements that top Wheeler collectors look for. The head is artfully and accurately turned around from the right side of the breast and is topped with a pronounced crest. The accurately presented bill is heavily incised and shoots across the bird's back, touching down between the raised wings. The bird's overall proportions and intricate combed paint are spot-on. The hen has a gently turned head and is executed with as much care as the drake, rounding out this impressive pair. Due to Wheeler's immense popularity in his own time, his decoys were in high demand and made their way up and down the Atlantic coast. One rig was used on South Carolina's Cooper River, which flows along the northern shore of Charleston. "... another friend wrote 'There are plenty of ducks here [Cooper River, South Carolina] but they are wild and if I am to get my measure of them, I'll have to get some better stools than I am using.' "The writer [Wheeler] sent him a few good ones to try out and later received a letter saying, 'I had some bang-up duck shooting, better than the other fellows down here. My neighbor directly across the river... seems to think that I have some special kind of molasses and can't understand why all the ducks come to me. The real reason is... that I have the right kind of stool (yours) and it didn't take more than one look at his to know why the ducks pitch into my lot.' " - Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Feb. 12, 2015
Old Squaw Drake
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
A rare and early hollow long-tailed duck. This decoy was exhibited in 1982 at the "American Decorative Bird Carving" exhibit presented by the Ward Foundation at the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, MD. A rigmate illustrated in "Connecticut Decoys" is attributed to fellow Stratford maker Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949).
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 28, 2014
Sketch Cards by "Shang" Wheeler
Est: $3,500 - $4,500
682. Framed pen and ink drawing of a hand of cards by Charles E. ("Shang") Wheeler (1872-1949) of Stratford, CT. Drawing is titled "King-Full-Of-Queens". Each card features a mallard in flight and the cards are hand colored. Outstanding detail in the anatomy of the hand. Signed and dated LL "Shang '07". Remarque in the mat shows five poker chips and a cigar stub. Image is 11 ½" X 10 ½". In the original frame. For an almost identical example and probable mate to this drawing see page 94 in "Shang" by Dixon Merkt. In that example, the author states that "Shang enjoyed playing cards. Once a week he met with other prominent Stratford men at the Cupheag Club located on Main Street in the Lovell Building. This early drawing combines two of his favorite interests - ducks and cards". 3500-4500
Decoys Unlimited, Inc
Jul. 25, 2014
Preening Canvasback Drake
Est: $40,000 - $50,000
Charles Edward Wheeler is recognized as the most famous bird carver from Connecticut. While his predecessors Albert Laing (1811-1886) and Benjamin Holmes (1843-1912) made many gunning decoys of exceptional quality, it was Wheeler who took the art form to the next level, producing everything from sandhill cranes to sailfish. Shang, as everyone called him, was an enigmatic figure: oysterman, politician, boxer, cartoonist, public speaker, conservationist, and world-renowned decoy carver. Author Dixon Merkt on Wheeler's life: "Wheeler's concern with the conservation of nature eventually led him into politics. Over the years he had come to know and admire Teddy Roosevelt, and as a politician he adopted Roosevelt's brand of progressive Republicanism. Himself a skilled ornithologist, former cowboy, and avid sportsman, Roosevelt had made conservation one cornerstone of his political platform. Wheeler followed in his footsteps. During several terms in the Connecticut General Assembly he led the campaign to pass anti-pollution and wildlife conservation legislation. Unlike T.R., Wheeler had no driving ambitions. He went into politics because he wanted to clean up Connecticut's harbors and river. He did much of the hard work and then let other men win the laurels. His ties to Roosevelt and later to Herbert Hoover might have lead him to high government office, if that had been his goal. But Wheeler was satisfied with the life he had built for himself around Stratford. He had many good friends; his work kept him outdoors; and each year he had time for hunting and fishing trips." In 1923 Wheeler arrived on the competition carving scene with a bang. Public concern over the popular and devastating practice of dusking (or hunting after dark) had started to take shape. Led by conservationists including early historian, author, and collector Joel Barber, along with Paul Bigelow and John Boyle, the group started the Anti-Duskers Society. The Anti-Duskers sponsored one of the first decoy shows in North America on August 23rd at the public library in Bellport, Long Island. A carving competition held at the event was aimed at hunters in attendance to further advance the concept of shooting over decoys. The inaugural event attracted amateur and professional carvers from near and far, however, it was Wheeler who took home top amateur honors with his dynamic turned-head mallard drake. Joel Barber gave the winning decoy the highest praise possible lauding that it represented "the highest development yet reached in the American art of decoy carving." As stated by Merkt and Lytle, "Wheeler carted off first prize at Bellport because he had introduced a new style to decoy painting." Canvasback decoys by Wheeler are exceedingly rare. Important examples are held in the Shelburne Museum, the Alan and Elaine Haid Collection, and a private New England Collection with relatively few others known to exist. Of the examples that have surfaced, the majority were made with cork bodies. This sterling example relates closely to Wheeler's prize-winning mallard which now resides in the Shelburne Museum. This canvasback was most likely carved for one of the early Bellport competitions as evidenced by the number nineteen competition sticker affixed to its breast. This grand preener displays all the elements that top Wheeler collectors look for. The head is artfully and accurately cranked around from the right side of the breast culminating with its pronounced crown. The accurately presented bill is heavily incised and shoots across the bird's back, touching down on the left side. The bird's overall proportions and intricate scratch-comb paint are spot on. In the creation of this decoy, Wheeler has produced a lasting tribute to "The King of Ducks" that ranks as one of the finest Connecticut decoys extant.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Feb. 13, 2014
Striped Bass
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Striped Bass, 1906 signed "Shang '06" lower center pen and ink drawing, 12 3/4 by 6 in. The original mat also retains a pencil remarque by Wheeler exhibiting two fishermen in a dory fishing at the edge of submerged rocks landing a "rockfish" or striped bass.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Feb. 13, 2014
Wood Duck Bookends
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
An exquisite pair of bookends made for and gifted to Mr. and Mrs. August Mac Taggart, by Wheeler. The carvings are referenced in the Taggart letter illustrated with lot 36. The drake is featured on the dust-jacket cover of Dixon Merkt's book "Shang." The bookends exhibit slightly turned heads, appearing to glance at each other. The birds are mounted on cedar blocks with a rich patina.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Aug. 12, 2013
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Est: $500 - $1,000
"Sailboats Racing in a Harbor w/ remark" mixed media. 13 x 24 inches. signed. framed. ("Shang" Wheeler's decoys are highly collectable) Condition: Good, minor fading
John McInnis Auctioneers
Jul. 30, 2013
Decoy Patterns
Est: $50 - $100
The lot includes six cut-out, cardboard head patterns, two paper head patterns, and three cut-out body patterns that when combined with the above head patterns make complete side profile patterns for a brant, pintail, and redhead. A side profile mallard pattern originally collected by Dr. George Ross Starr, of Duxbury, Massachusetts. Also included are three sketches of decoy heads on a worn piece of paper by Wheeler and two, possibly unused, patterns for a mallard stick-up decoy and a teal.George Ross Starr, of Duxbury, Massachusetts and now from the Mark R. Mahoney collection also from Duxbury. In Dr. Starr's 1974 book, "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," he mentions Wheeler was known to send his patterns to potential decoy carvers and Starr, being a carver, may have received this pattern directly from Wheeler. Also included are three sketches of decoy heads on a worn piece of paper by Wheeler and two, possibly unused, patterns for a mallard stick-up decoy and a teal. The teal is not a traditional Stratford pattern, but more realistic, in side profile.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 29, 2013
Cork Black Duck by Shang Wheeler
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Gunning black duck c1936 by Charles E. ("Shang") Wheeler (1872 - 1949) of Stratford, Connecticut. Cork body with wooden head and inlet tail. Carved wingtip separation. Strong original paint with some flaking and rubs to wood. One small chip to cork on left breast and a small chip off the underside of the bill. A nice example of a working black in untouched, "out of rig" condition by one of the founders of the Stratford School of carving. The decoy is accompanied by a signed letter from Tom Marshall of Fairfield, CT. dated Dec 13, 1972 which states: "This is to certify that this is one of 18 black duck decoys made for Tom c. Marshall by Charles E. Wheeler (Shang), Stratford decoy maker in 1936". For a similar example see page 22 of "Shang" by D. Merkt.
Decoys Unlimited, Inc
Jul. 28, 2013
Shang Wheeler Canada Goose
Est: $5,500 - $7,500
Rare oversized working Canada goose by Charles E. ("Shang") Wheeler (1872 - 1949) of Stratford CT. Dense cork used for the upper body with an applied wooden bottom board, head, and inserted wooden tail. Sculptured wings, thighs, and wingtips. Head slightly tucked in content pose. Wheeler is famous for his wooden decoys which he made predominantly for gifts or for competition. The majority of his working birds utilized cork for the bodies and this example is one of his best with exceptional attention to the head, neck, and body conformation. Working geese by him are very rare. Original paint is in very good condition on the wooden portion of the decoy and exhibits moderate flaking on the cork body. Cork itself shows minor surface splitting which is to be expected with age and use.
Decoys Unlimited, Inc
Jul. 16, 2012
Shang Wheeler Canada Goose
Est: $9,500 - $12,500
687. Rare Canada goose gunning decoy by Charles E. ("Shang") Wheeler (1872 - 1949) of Stratford CT. Cork body with an applied wooden bottom board, head, and inserted tail. Slightly pinched breast with sculpturedwings, thighs, and wingtips. Head slightly tucked in content pose. Wheeler is famous for his wooden decoys which he made predominantly for gifts or for competition. The majority of his working birds however utilizedcork for the bodies. Working geese by him are very rare and this example is from rig of 3 or 4 that Joe Tonelli found back in the late 60's or mid 70's. At that time, Tom Marshall verified that these were indeed the work of "Shang"Wheeler. Original paint is in very good condition on the wooden portion of the decoy and exhibits wear to the natural cork body.
Decoys Unlimited, Inc
Jul. 15, 2012
Bluebill Hen by Shang Wheeler
Est: $500 - $1,000
238. Working bluebill hen by Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872 - 1949) of Stratford, CT. Two piece natural cork body strengthened with a number of carved dowels. Carvedwooden head and applied keel. Wheelers bluebills were much simpler in form than those he carved for competition of gifts. See page 48 in Chitwood for a similar example.Original paint on head shows very light gunning wear. Left eye missing and lightly hit by shot. Body, if it was ever painted, is now worn to a naturalfinish with remnants of white speculums. Few natural flaws in cork.
Decoys Unlimited, Inc
Aug. 03, 2011
SURF SCOTER HEN DECOY By Charles Shang Wheeler of Stratford, Connecticut. Cork body with original paint. Ex Collection: Henry Chitwo...
Est: $800 - $1,200
SURF SCOTER HEN DECOY By Charles Shang Wheeler of Stratford, Connecticut. Cork body with original paint. Ex Collection: Henry Chitwood.
Eldred's
Jan. 17, 2011
Pintail Hen
Est: $9,000 - $12,000
A classic Stratford hollow pintail with a gently down-turned head, glass eyes and carved bill detail.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jan. 17, 2011
Bluebill Pair
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
Florence Lewis (1886-1997) and Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949) Florence Lewis was Charles Disbrow's sister-in-law and a friend of Shang Wheeler. To quote Dr.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 23, 2010
Scoter Hen
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)-Collected by Henry Chitwood, the author of "Connecticut Decoys". He describes this decoy in his book, "Wheeler, simply constructed cork-bodied scoter with a well-carved head." His oval "Chitwood" collection ink stamp is impressed in one side of the keel. Retains its original rigging.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 23, 2010
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
-Deer in the Woods Signed with "Shangs" five card mark, lower left. Ink on paper, 16.75 by 10.25 inches
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 23, 2010
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
-"Broadbill" Signed "Shang" lower right Ink on paper, 15.25 by 6 inches "Black Ducks" Signed "Shang" lower left Ink on paper, 15.75 by 6 inches
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 22, 2010
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Ruffed Grouse-Dixon Merkt, author of "Shang" devoted an entire full page color plate to this important oil painting.
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 22, 2010
Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949)
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Brook Trout-Brook Trout
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul. 26, 2007
Wheeler Hollow Turned-Head Bluebill Hen Decoy
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Charles Edward "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949) Stratford, CT, c. 1900. An early gunning model with bottom board construction. Displays terrific upswept bill carving with intricate incising and "v-cut" tail carving. Retains Wheeler's earliest tear drop shaped weight and the "Chitwood" stamp for Henry Chitwood, author of "Connecticut Decoys." In strong original paint, with even gunning wear, single shot scar across the back. Provenance: Henry Chitwood Collection, S. Lloyd Newberry Collection
Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jan. 19, 2007
A BLACK DUCK
Est: $8,000 - $10,000
Charles "Shang" Wheeler (1872-1949), Stratford, Connecticut, First to Second Quarters 20th Century The sleeping duck inscribed on the underside: Made and Used by "Shang" Wheeler, 1935. Constructed with cork body and pine head and tail insert. Original paint shows moderate wear; some minor denting and roughness to the body; light hit by shot; overall very good structurally. 5 3/4 in. high, 16 1/2 in. long
Christie's
Nov. 18, 2006
CHARLES E. WHEELER CARVED WOODEN PARROT
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
CARVED AND PAINTED WOODEN PARROT - Standing on hanging perch and inscribed under wing 'To Missy from Shang', Charles E. 'Shang' Wheeler (1872-1949) was one of the greatest American Decoy Carvers; illustrated in his biography, originally purchased at the Alexander Galleries in NYC, the bird (excluding perch) is 27" overall, in very good condition with minor repairs to tips of wings and tail.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries