Mourning Dove Decoy by the Mason Decoy Factory (1894 – 1924), Detroit, Michigan, circa 1905 – 1910. This wonderfully Sleek Body is typical of the Mason Factory Dove Decoys; it displays Strong Original Paint with Fine Sponging to the Body, Original Glass Eyes, and an Iron Nail Bill. (See Goldberger & Haid’s Mason Decoys for a detailed discussion of these doves and comparable photographs.) It is in Very Good Original Condition with Minor Gunning Wear. Measurements: 11” in length, 2 ½” in width, and 11” in height, including the stand. A Nice Mason Dove Decoy with Early Gunning Wear. 

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SOLD

An Early Tack Eye Golden Plover Shorebird Decoy by A. Elmer Crowell (1862 – 1952), East Harwich, Massachusetts, circa 1890. This Classic Gunning Shorebird by Elmer Crowell displays the Full-bodied Plover Form, Split Tail Carving, Original Bill, Tack Eyes, and Outstanding Wet-on-wet Stipple Painting with Minor Gunning Wear. Measurements: 9 ½” in length, 2 ½” in width, and 11” in height, including the stand. With a Fine Historic Provenance, including the Aitken Collection and Pictured in Shirley & John Delph’s New England Decoys (then a part of the Quandy Collection), this Working Plover Decoy by Elmer Crowell is not to be missed.

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Price $9500  plus shipping

Nice Old Golden Plover Shorebird Decoy by an Unknown Maker from the Hingham, Massachusetts, Carving Style, circa Later 1800s. This is a Nice Tack Eye Decoy with a Sweeping Split Tail Form and Split Tail Form and Thigh Carving. The Decoy displays Excellent Original Paint with Wear to the Wood in a Couple of Places. The Paint is Enhanced by the Early Rasp Carving which gives the Finish a Rough or Feathered Look. The Bill appears to be Original and is Apparently Secured by a Dowell from the Top of the Head. The Decoy measures 10 ½” in length, 2 3/8” in width, and 11 ½” in height, including the metal stand. An Excellent Example of an Early Massachusetts Working Shorebird Decoy.

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Price $2000 plus shipping  SALE PENDING

An Intriguing Lesser Yellowlegs Shorebird Decoy by an Unknown Maker from New Jersey, circa 1900 – 1920. A Rig Mate of this Lesser Yellowlegs is Photographed on pg. 61 of Quintina Couo’s American Decoys and identified as such, though other attributions as to origin have been made. One interest element from the Couo’s book is that the decoy there has been designed to look more like a feeder than this decoy, suggesting the rig included birds in different positions. In addition, while both decoys are in primarily Original Paint, the white breasts have been repainted for further use. This Decoy displays Primary Wing and Split Tail Carving, as does the Couo example and a Nice Dropped Tail Look. The Bill appears to be an Original Iron Insert. The Shorebird is 9” in length with a 2 ¾” bill; the body is 3” in width; it is set on a metal stand at 13 ½” in height. The Paint on the Head and Back is Original; the Paint on the Breast is in Working Repaint with Shot Marks after the Repaint. It is a Rare Example of a New Jersey Lesser Yellowlegs.

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Price $1700 plus shipping