George Boyd Canvas-covered Canada Goose

George Boyd (1873-1941) Seabrook, NH, c. 1920

In 1910 future World War II General George S. Patton (1885-1945) married his wife, Beatrice Ayer, in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. Together they owned a farm in nearby Hamilton, Massachusetts, where his son (1923-2004) lived and his daughter-in-law still resides. In the summer of 1923 Patton was assigned to the General Staff Corps in Boston. At that time, Patton purchased a rig of goose decoys from George Boyd. A few years later he was transferred to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. His goose decoys were given to his cousin, William Gordon "Gus" Means. Means was born in Boston in 1884. In 1906 he graduated from Harvard University and joined the ranks of that University's sportsmen and sporting authors. After college, Means settled north of Boston in Beverly, Massachusetts. In 1941 he authored "My Guns" and in 1953 wrote "My Bird Dogs and Hounds." Both were recollections of his earlier sporting exploits. This fine goose with historic provenance bears Means' brand. The decoy exhibits tack eyes, a slightly turned head, canvas stretched over a wood frame, and a carved breast and tail. Original paint with typical Boyd craquelure, a few flaked spots, and even gunning wear.

Provenance: Gen. George S. Patton Rig William G. Means Rig Private Collection

Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Sporting Sale 2013," Boston, MA, 2013, lot 129, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Gen. George S. Patton Rig William G. Means Rig Private Collection