Harvey Stevens Early Bufflehead Drake

Harvey Stevens (1847-1894) Weedsport, NY, c. 1880 12 1/2 in. long

A rare and early bufflehead with tack eyes, a sharp crest, and a dynamic underside. In addition to the brands listed below, a portion of the maker's paper label has survived over 130 years, having been protected by an applied weight and then the collection stand. Prior to the discovery of this decoy, Stevens specialist Shane Newell documents a closely related example as an "outstanding and perhaps one of a kind original tackeye bufflehead..."

A separate wooden base bears the inscription: "Bufflehead - Male / Made by Stevens Decoy Factory / Weedsport, N.Y. / A portion of original factory label still adhering to bottom of decoy. Currituck Shooting Club / Poplar Branch, NC." The underside of the carving is branded "T.H. BARBER, N.Y. / S. RUSSELL / S. RUSSELL." Original paint with gunning wear and a tight age line in the neck.

Provenance: Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953

Literature: Shane A. Newell, "The Essential Guide to Stevens Decoys: Volume One," New York, NY, 2004, front cover, similar decoy illustrated, pp. 58-59, related example illustrated and discussed.

Provenance

Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953