John Dilley Golden Plover

John Dilley Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 10 1/4 in. long

The underside of this plover is stamped "Henry C. Squires, N.Y." and is signed “Dilley.” Squires was a New York City sportsmen's supply store on Broadway. Its impressive 1890 catalog had several decoy varieties listed for sale, such as "Snipe decoys, hand-made, shaped and painted from life; the finest decoys ever produced; can be furnished only in limited quantities." Their $12 per dozen price was 300% higher than Squires’ alternative “Snipe decoys.” Very few Dilleys have either the stamp or signature, which amount to most of the documentation on this celebrated, but elusive, maker. Original paint with gunning wear, and an old tail chip.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: Henry C. Squires, "Descriptive Catalogue and Price-list of Sportsmen's Supplies," New York, NY, 1890, p. 52, snipe decoys listed. Laurence Sheehan, "The Sporting Life," New York, NY, 1992, p. 80, exact decoy illustrated. Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 95, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection