Daniel Lake Leeds The Hillman Leeds Plover

Daniel Lake Leeds (1852-1922) Pleasantville, NJ, c. 1890 10 in. long

This black-bellied plover is published in three of the most important New Jersey shorebird publications ever written. As the provenance suggests, this rig was celebrated from the time of its discovery. Describing the Leeds rig in "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," William J. Mackey, Jr. writes, "...It was probably the greatest single find of its kind in New Jersey decoy history. The Dan Leeds birds have a stylized exaggeration that has an artistic appeal. The black-bellied plover have heads that indicate their local name, ‘bull heads’...Dan used thick oily paint and laid it on instead of brushing it out. This viscous coating made a durable finish, and the rig was found in mint condition. The old gentleman lavished great care on his decoys during their years of service. They stand on their own merit and have little in common with their New Jersey contemporaries."

This top-grade Leeds is nearly indistinguishable from the Doherty example, down to the minor flaking on the head. Original paint with minor flaking, replaced bill, and light gunning wear.

Provenance: Somers G. Headley Collection John Hillman Collection Brian Hartmann Collection

Literature: John M. Levinson and Somers G. Headley, "Shorebirds," Centreville, MD, 1991, p. 92, pl. 6-34, exact decoy illustrated. Guyette and Schmidt, "Important Auction of Rare Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of John Hillman, April 25 & 26, 1996," West Farmington, ME, 1996, lot 48, exact decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Shore Bird Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, pl. 83, exact decoy illustrated. James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 178, pl. 400, rigmate illustrated. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 11, rigmate illustrated. Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, 2000, p. 143, lot 349, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Somers G. Headley Collection John Hillman Collection Brian Hartmann Collection