John Wesley Williams Blue-winged Teal

John Wesley Williams (1845-1909) Port Deposit, MD, c. 1880 10 3/4 in. long

This rare and well-documented decoy was found by J. Evans McKinney in 1927 between High Point and Wild Duck Cove. This exact decoy is featured in McKinney's book on the region, where he records Williams as a carpenter, fisherman, and hunter. The body features a strong chine down the sides, a raised neck shelf, and fine head carving. The bird took home top honors amongst stiff competition as The Best Upper Bay Teal or Ruddy Duck at the 4th Annual Old Decoy Contest at the Havre de Grace Decoy Festival. Original paint with even gunning wear, a ding on rear right edge, and some flaking, mostly on left side.

Provenance: J. Evans McKinney Collection, acquired in 1927 Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection

Literature: J. Evans McKinney, "Decoys of the Susquehanna Flats and Their Makers," Ocean City, MD, 1990, p. 79, exact decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 200, related example illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, pp. 84 and 87, related decoy illustrated. Exhibited: Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, Havre de Grace, MD, May-October 2006.

Provenance

J. Evans McKinney Collection, acquired in 1927 Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection