John Daddy Holly Redhead Drake

John "Daddy" Holly (1818-1892) and James T. Holly (1855-1935) Havre de Grace, MD, c. 1880 13 in. long A rare redhead carving exhibiting "T. DOWS" and "D.G. ELLIOT" brands on the bottom. Daniel Giraud Elliot authored "Wildfowl of North America." The underside also bears an inlaid lead-strip weight. This decoy bears the following inscription on its wooden base: "Redhead - Male From Currituck Shooting Club / Poplar Beach, NC." The carving's right side displays the museum identification code "A51-110" in red paint. This decoy, like others by John Holly was refitted with head by his son James T. Holly.

This famous rig contains some of the best Holly duck decoys known, two of which can be seen in the Shelburne Museum, with one example in the museum's 1961 publication. Original paint with even gunning wear, replaced head by James Holly has a neck crack. Flaking to bottom.

Provenance: T. Dows Rig Daniel G. Elliot Rig Currituck Shooting Club Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953

Literature: David S. Webster and William Kehoe, "Decoys at Shelburne Museum," Burlington, VT, 1961, p. 57, rigmate canvasback illustrated.

Provenance

T. Dows Rig Daniel G. Elliot Rig Currituck Shooting Club Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953