We’re big fans of the artifacts of the sportsmen who came before us. The rods, guns, gear and books they used in the field are fascinating, and a root inspiration for a lot of what we do here at Ball and Buck.

An essential item for any sportsman of this pre-internet era, was the bird identification book. Recently we found a great example of one originally published in 1954, which sold for the grand sum of 50 cents. 

“Know Your Ducks and Geese: 32 Full Color Plates and Descriptive Material Identifying America's Ducks and Geese.”

No doubt this one did a little time in the field, and was (and still is) ideal for the North American sportsman. Here are few of the great images that comprise this excellent periodical.