229 Black Duck John English (1852-1915) Florence, NJ, c. 1890
229
A hollow tack-eyed decoy with carved bill detail, raised wings, and tail carving. The underside displays the maker’s “J. English” brand, a “J.B. Perkins” of Beverly, New Jersey rig brand, a “W.S. Marter” of Burlington, New Jersey rig brand, and its original weight. Old in-use repaint with light gunning wear, including a neck crack and a tail feather chip. provenance:
Private Collection, Midwest
literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., New Jersey Decoys, Exton, PA, 1983, p. 194, similar bird illustrated. Gene and Linda Kangas, Decoys, Paducah, KY, 1992, pp. 113 and 169, similar decoy illustrated.
$2,000 - $3,000
230 Mallard Drake John English (1852-1915) Florence, NJ, c. 1890
230
A hollow tack-eyed decoy with carved bill detail, raised wings, and tail carving. The underside displays a “J.B. Perkins” of Beverly, New Jersey rig brand, a “W.S. Marter” of Burlington, New Jersey rig brand, and its original weight. In-use repaint by Beach Haven, New Jersey carver Chris Sprague (1888-1982) with light craquelure on the bottom. Gunning wear including a neck crack and old tail feather chips. provenance:
Private Collection, Midwest
literature:
Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., New Jersey Decoys, Exton, PA, 1983, p. 221, similar example illustrated. $2,000 - $3,000
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231 Hooded Merganser Pair Clifford Van Zandt Townsend’s Inlet, NJ, c. 1920 This matched pair of hollow hooded mergansers is featured in Quintina Colio’s “American Decoys” and the drake is featured in William J. Mackey’s book “American Bird Decoys.” Made out of cedar with original bottom boards. Early gunning examples of this species are difficult to find. In original paint with even gunning wear. The hen has a crack in the neck. provenance:
William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection The University Club of Milwaukee Decoy Collection
literature:
William J. Mackey, Jr., American Bird Decoys, New York, NY, 1965, plate 117, p. 139, exact drake illustrated. Robert Shaw, Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D., Houston, TX, 1992, p. 60. Quintina Colio, American Decoys, Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 18, exact decoys illustrated. $5,000 -$7,000
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