Lothrop Holmes The Aitken Holmes Feeding Yellowlegs

Lothrop T. Holmes (1824-1899) Kingston, MA, c. 1890 13 1/4 in. long

This decoy hailed from the famous Russell B. Aitken Collection. Aitken was something of a Holmes aficionado, owning four of the 19th-century maker's finest works, including this yellowlegs, a merganser pair, and a plover. A closely-related rigmate feeder was a part of the McCleery collection. Excellent original paint with light gunning wear, replaced bill.

Provenance: Joy Piscopo Collection Russell B. Aitken Collection The Johnson Collection

Literature: Christie's, "The Russell B. Aitken Collection of Wildfowl Decoys," January, 2003, lot 1111, exact decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 154, McCleery example illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 29, McCleery example illustrated.

Provenance

Joy Piscopo Collection Russell B. Aitken Collection The Johnson Collection