Charles Walker Mallard Hen

Charles Walker (1873-1954) Princeton, IL, c. 1930 16 1/2 in. long

Walker was a member of the Princeton Fish and Game Club of Bureau, Illinois, from 1902-1910. Unfortunately, with a wife and four small children to support, the young painter by trade had to give up the luxury of his duck club membership. However, he continued to hunt there as a guest. After he made a rig of decoys for his host, other club members took note and started placing orders.

This early example was made for Fred Dunbar and bears his "FD" initials painted on the underside of the hollow body. Original paint with even gunning wear and a few stacking marks.

Provenance: Fred Dunbar Rig Alan Haid Collection Private Collection

Literature: Donna Tonelli, "Fish and Fowl Decoys of the Great Lakes," Atglen, PA, 2002, pp. 180-182, similar decoys illustrated. Stephen O'Brien and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, pp. 58-61, related decoys illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 109, related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Fred Dunbar Rig Alan Haid Collection Private Collection