Makers / Thomas Gelston / Shorebird (other)

Thomas Gelston O'brien Gelston Willet

Thomas H. Gelston (1851-1924) Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890

Thomas Gelston – O'Brien Gelston Willet – 2025
$8,400
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $6,500–$8,500
Sold Jul 2025at Copley, July 2025

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesShorebird (other)Size13"PaintOriginal

The catalog record

Thomas H. Gelston (1851-1924) Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 13 in. long

An excellent, full-body Gelston willet with the maker's signature black glass eyes and raised primaries. While the maker was rather prolific, his wooden willet decoys are rare in any condition. Original paint with light even gunning wear, including few stacking marks and typical even craquelure seen on Gelston's best carvings.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection William C. McMaster M.D. Collection

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 182, related example illustrated.

Provenance

Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection William C. McMaster M.D. Collection

Comparable sales

The 1 most recent Thomas Gelston other shorebird to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Jul 2009—Original$1,725

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Thomas Gelston sales