Very Expensive Canoe

Wilko wrote:
 > TB wrote:
 >
  >> Out of my price range:
  >>
<font color=green>  >> <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.guyetteandschmidt.com/archives/nov2002/nov2002p2.htm</font" target="_blank">http://www.guyetteandschmidt.com/archives/nov2002/nov2002p2.htm</font</a>>
 >
 >
 > What is it made of, hand carved and painted platinum?
 >
 > Those prices are in US dollars, aren't they?
 >
 > If so that's the most outrageous price I've ever seen for a Old Town
 > canoe, let alone for a display model!
 >

This seems to be part of an antique/collectors auction. The prices are
insane. 11,500 USD for a pintail duck decoy is worse than the boat.

My bet is that the old town is 50+ years old and was sitting, unused, in
a shop window for most, or all, of its life. I still can't imagine
anyone spending that much money for the thing, but auctions like these
are for those who have more dollars (and space) than brains.

Rick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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Rick <rjd9999.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote

 > This seems to be part of an antique/collectors auction. The prices are
 > insane. 11,500 USD for a pintail duck decoy is worse than the boat.

The prices that the work of some eastern shore master carvers get for
their decoys and other objects is astounding.

But as long as collectors are willing to bid up the prices and fork
over the big bucks I gotta smile. Most of those carvers whose work
commands such prices and attention are the eastern shore version of
good ole boys who have worked the water, hunted and fished and guided
their whole lives.

I wish 'em the best and hope they can keep fleecing wealthy collectors
as long as they can whittle and carve.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Very Expensive Canoe 

Mike McCrea wrote:
 > Rick <rjd9999 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote
 >
 >
  >>This seems to be part of an antique/collectors auction. The prices are
  >>insane. 11,500 USD for a pintail duck decoy is worse than the boat.
 >
 >
 > The prices that the work of some eastern shore master carvers get for
 > their decoys and other objects is astounding.
 >
 > But as long as collectors are willing to bid up the prices and fork
 > over the big bucks I gotta smile. Most of those carvers whose work
 > commands such prices and attention are the eastern shore version of
 > good ole boys who have worked the water, hunted and fished and guided
 > their whole lives.
 >
 > I wish 'em the best and hope they can keep fleecing wealthy collectors
 > as long as they can whittle and carve.

Mike,

I don't argue your sentiments. To paraphrase an old adage, an object is
only worth what someone will pay for it. Many of these folks have
suffered through some difficult economic times. Me, I'm in no position
to grant such largesse or to support starving artists. I'm glad someone
is, I guess.

As for the boat, I don't think Old Town was ever in the same category. I
could get one of Vaillancourt's birch bark reproductions for less, and
I'd probably enjoy it more (though it would still about 7K USD):

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.birchbarkcanoe.net/canoepg.htm" target="_blank">http://www.birchbarkcanoe.net/canoepg.htm</a>

Vaillancourt's efforts are documented in McPhee's awesome book,
"Survival of the Bark Canoe," and is a craftsman of the highest order.
Regardless of whether you are interested in canoes, McPhee is well worth
reading. Unlike me, an incredible writer.

Rick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 23:15:33 GMT, Rick <rjd9999.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

 >As for the boat, I don't think Old Town was ever in the same category. I
 > could get one of Vaillancourt's birch bark reproductions for less, and
 >I'd probably enjoy it more (though it would still about 7K USD):


this is only about 14 INCHES long.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Very Expensive Canoe 

Rick wrote:

 >
 >
 > Vaillancourt's efforts are documented in McPhee's awesome book,
 > "Survival of the Bark Canoe," and is a craftsman of the highest order.
 > Regardless of whether you are interested in canoes, McPhee is well
 > worth reading.

I second the motion r.e.: Vaillancourt & the birch canoe makers like
him. Their work commands prices nearing 10K & they're worth it. A
Google on birch canoes will give you about a dozen master craftsmen. I
also second the motion on McPhee's book I also highly recommend his
"Encounters with the Archdruid" for an intimate look at the soul and
politics of environmentalism. You'll perhaps find out these two
attributes are mutually exclusive.

Yours in the north Maine woods,
Pete Hilton (Reg. Me. Guide) aka The Ent

--
Either everyone has rights or some have privileges.
It's really that simple.
    Walt Kelly<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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PMH <pmhilton.RemoveThis@mfx.net> wrote in news:40F10E59.6050208@mfx.net:

 > Rick wrote:
 >
  >>
  >>
  >> Vaillancourt's efforts are documented in McPhee's awesome book,
  >> "Survival of the Bark Canoe," and is a craftsman of the highest order.
  >> Regardless of whether you are interested in canoes, McPhee is well
  >> worth reading.
 >
 > I second the motion r.e.: Vaillancourt & the birch canoe makers like
 > him. Their work commands prices nearing 10K & they're worth it.

I've seen a couple of web sites from people that build and sell cedar strip
kayaks with prices that have surpassed $10K. That's outrageous. I spent
about $750 to build mine. Although mine doesn't have furniture quality
construction and finish I don't really care because I built a boat to be
paddled, not a piece of furniture.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Very Expensive Canoe 

Wilko wrote:

 > TB wrote:
 >
  > > Out of my price range:
  > >
<font color=green>  > > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.guyetteandschmidt.com/archives/nov2002/nov2002p2.htm</font" target="_blank">http://www.guyetteandschmidt.com/archives/nov2002/nov2002p2.htm</font</a>>
 > What is it made of, hand carved and painted platinum?
 > Those prices are in US dollars, aren't they?
 > If so that's the most outrageous price I've ever seen for a Old Town
 > canoe, let alone for a display model!

We've got an 1896 fully restored Old Town wooden canoe on display at the
shop I work at, the Alpine Shop in St Louis. I was told it was restored
by a guy who worked at the shop, and that someone once offered him
$30,000 for it, but he refused. Just heresay, mind you, but the shop
does have the 1896 canoe, and it's beautiful too!

John Kuthe...<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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