Albert Laing Early Preening Scoter

Albert Davids Laing (1811-1886) New York, NY, and Stratford, CT, c. 1850 14 in. long

A hollow, turned-head decoy by the father of the Stratford School. Laing, originally from New York City, is one of the earliest and most talented carvers in North America. The underside bears a large “LAING” rig brand and a Baldwin rig brand. This important rig has been referred to as the "early classic rig" and was also used by Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler. This decoy was the cover feature for the marker's "Decoy Magazine" article in 1995.

Laing has been revered for adding a lifelike quality to his rigs with a variety of head positions, such as this elegant sleeper. There is no evidence that Laing ever sold decoys commercially, and it is believed that at the time of his death the 111 decoys from his gunning rig constituted the majority of his entire output. According to Chitwood, Laing’s entire hunting rig was sold after his passing in 1886 for $45. Old gunning paint with moderate wear, some touch-up, and partial bill restoration.

Provenance: Albert D. Laing Rig Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler Rig Private Collection

Literature: D. Webster & W. Kehoe, "Shelburne Museum Decoys," Shelburne, VT, 1961, p. 75, rigmate illustrated. Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 65, Shelburne Museum rigmate illustrated. Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 22, Donal O'Brien's rigmate illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "Albert D. Laing: A decoy maker unequaled in his time," Decoy Magazine, July/August 1995, front cover, p. 12, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Albert D. Laing Rig Charles E. "Shang" Wheeler Rig Private Collection