Judy Harmon on the Life and Legacy of Ted Harmon (Ep. 701)

In this episode, Judy Harmon reflects on her late husband Ted Harmon’s remarkable journey from Cape Cod house painter to one of the most respected decoy collectors and auctioneers in the country. Alongside sons Steve and Doug, she shares stories from Ted’s early hunts in Maine, his first decoy finds, and the bold leap from the family painting business into the world of antiques and auctions. The family recounts how exposure to fine art on Cape estates sharpened Ted’s collector’s eye, why the best birds were stored away in safes and bank lockers, and the legendary Massachusetts discoveries—from Melvin Gardner Lawrence sleepers to barrels of Keyes Chadwick's ferried off Martha’s Vineyard. They also share personal stories about family road trips, auctions, and the unforgettable “dryer story.” Listeners will come away with not only a better understanding of Ted’s impact on the decoy world but also a glimpse of the Harmon family’s life immersed in history, travel, and collecting.

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