John Horn Hillman-mccleery Ruddy Turnstone

John Horn Oceanville, NJ, c. 1890 9 1/2 in. long

One of approximately seven Horn turnstones in original paint, this is among the finest examples known. While few exist, Horn’s decoys have not escaped the purview of the world’s top shorebird collectors, having resided on the shelves of the Noyes, O’Brien, McCleery, Giberson, Headley, Hillman, and Doherty collections.

A letter from Somers Headley, who as a child knew Horn, adds some real color to this rig. Headley relays that Horn "robbed picket fences for carving wood, he was shot at tearing apart the fences...After the cedar weathered and cured a couple of years the wood was seasoned and easily carved."

The Hillman-McCleery-Muller example displays pronounced cheek carving, a beautifully contoured body, and a delicate thin tail. This is not only one of the finest Horn shorebirds to come on the market, but one of the finer New Jersey ruddy turnstones.

The underside retains the Hillman and McCleery collection ink stamps. Original paint with even gunning wear, one-inch bill replacement.

Provenance: John Hillman Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection

Literature: Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, January 22–23, 2000, p. 220, lot 606, exact decoy illustrated. Guyette and Schmidt, "Important Auction of Rare Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of John Hillman, April 25 & 26, 1996," St. Charles, IL, 1996, p. 156, lot 654, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

John Hillman Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection