George Watts Penn Feeding Yellowlegs

George "Watts" Penn (1866-1956) Forked River, NJ, c. 1900 A rare, feeding shorebird decoy with gently raised wings and shoulder carving. It retains its iron bill and stick. This bird is illustrated in Doherty's book "Classic New Jersey Decoys." In the book "New Jersey Decoys," Penn is pictured standing next to President Grover Cleveland. This rig of decoys was discovered by John Ackerman in the 1960s. Original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: Private Collection, New Jersey

Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 172, plate 377, exact decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, title page photograph, artist illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, New Jersey