Pascagoula Decoys
The small town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, was a center of duck-decoy manufacturing from 1920 to 1971. Perched on the Gulf of Mexico near the Alabama state line, it was an ideal site for decoy factories for three reasons. The area was rich in native hardwoods--like tupelo gum and pop ash--which made sturdy, buoyant decoys. Because of the local shipbuilding and sawmill industries, there was a local labor force of experienced woodworkers. Finally, the Pascagoula River made transporting raw lumber by barge a convenient and cheap option. By 1940, Pascagoula's fame as a site for decoy manufacturing was so great that when C. M. Woolworth, scion of the mammoth dime-store chain, wanted to establish a decoy factory in the Southern region, he visited operations in that area before buying Poitevin Brothers, Inc. Author Joe Bosco relates the stories of important decoy makers like the Hudson Manufacturing Company, which introduced more buoyant decoys with hollows underneath, and the Animal Trap Company of Mississippi, one of the last manufacturers to offer wooden decoys. He also introduces important personalities, such as Charles W. Grubbs, founder of the Grubbs Manufacturing Company, who made the first commercial duck call, and the Poitevin brothers, makers of Singing River Decoys, whose business was twice decimated by hurricane. Pascagoula Decoys is based on a wealth of historical research. Joe Bosco, an area native who is also an avid duck-decoy collector, studied old catalogs and newspapers and interviewed former employees and surviving relatives. He describes the evolution of the industry, provides the history of each firm, and includes numerous full-color photographs to identify their products. For modern decoy enthusiasts, he brings this guide up to date with tips for collecting in person and online. Joe Bosco was born in Pascagoula and currently resides in Moss Point, Mississippi. After receiving a bachelor's degree in political science from Spring Hill College, he received a business degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Mr. Bosco is a member of Ducks Unlimited and has enjoyed hunting and fishing since his boyhood. Pascagoula Decoys is his first book.  For more of Pelican's books about art and collectibles, please visit our Web site: www.pelicanpub.com.