Mason Decoy Factory One-piece Curlew

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1905 Rare, early one-piece long billed curlew shorebird decoy with glass eyes. Strong original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: Joel Barber Collection Private Collection, Greenwich, Connecticut (Joel Barber was the primary source and advisor to this collector) Connecticut Audubon Society Private Collection, Dallas, Texas

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Shore Bird Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, p. 134, plate 151, rigmate illustrated. John Levinson and Somers Headley, "Shorebirds: The Birds, The Hunters, The Decoys," Centerville, MD, 1991, p. 122, plate 9-14. Russ Goldberger and Alan Haid, "Mason Decoys, A Pictorial Guide," Lewes, DE, 1993, pp. 106-107. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 64, similar example illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Collection of the late William J. Mackey, Jr.," Hyannis, MA, July 10, 1974, lot 312, nearly identical example.

Provenance

Joel Barber Collection Private Collection, Greenwich, Connecticut (Joel Barber was the primary source and advisor to this collector) Connecticut Audubon Society Private Collection, Dallas, Texas