Joseph Lincoln Exceptional Matched Pair of Canada Geese

Joseph Lincoln (1859-1938) Accord, MA, c. 1895 Originally made as full bodied “stick ups” for use in the corn fields of Greenwich, Connecticut, they also saw use as “floaters” off the waters of Little Compton, Rhode Island. The two birds survive in remarkable condition considering their age and dual usage. Both birds are made of high grade cedar and over the last one hundred years the bodies have developed the appealing slightly raised-grain appearance that folk art collectors look for. Each bird has “Foote” painted in black on the underside. This is the first time this magnificent pair has been offered publicly for sale. In nice dry original paint with even craquelure; the content bird has its original weight intact; the swimming decoy has had the weight removed, revealing the “stick up” holes. Both decoys show even gunning wear and rubs. Both birds have light gunning wash to white areas including: cheek patches, breasts, and back undersides. The content decoy has some minor flaking to the bill and a 1 1/4 inch chip out of the tail edge. A single hairline crack to the neck of the content goose and two hairline cracks to the swimmer have been professionally tightened. Both birds have a faint age line running down their back. Both decoy’s have Lincoln’s signature age cracks along the bottom.

Provenance: Private Collection, Little Compton, Rhode Island Acquired from the Foote family by the consignor in the 1960’s

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., Collection of William J. Mackey, Jr., Hyannis, MA, July 18, 1973, lot 499. Cap Vinal, Joseph W. Lincoln, Rockland, MA, 2002, pp. 26 and 40.

Provenance

Private Collection, Little Compton, Rhode Island Acquired from the Foote family by the consignor in the 1960’s