Ira Hudson Yellowlegs

Ira D. Hudson (1873-1949) Chincoteague, VA, c. 1910 11 1/2 in long

This is one of the finest Hudson yellowlegs to ever come on the market having resided in the Muller and Purnell Collections until this time. A nearly identical rigmate, also from the Purnell Collection, is illustrated in three important decoy books.

With its plump fully animated form, sweeping dropped tail, thin neck, pronounced cheeks, eye grooves, three-piece laminated construction, scratch feather paint, and strong provenance, this bird features everything that top Hudson, Southern decoy and shorebird collectors look for.

Branded “P” for the William H. Purnell Jr. Collection on the underside. Excellent original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the above

Literature: Joe Engers, ed. The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 157, rigmates illustrated. Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/ February 2008, p. 8, exact decoy illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., American Bird Decoys, New York, NY, 1965, p. 161, pl. 135, related decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., Southern Decoys, Exton, PA, 1983, pp. 73-74, similar decoys illustrated. Henry H. Stansbury, Ira D. Hudson and Family, Lewes, DE, 2002, p. 140, related decoys illustrated. Paul A. Johnsgard, The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form, Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 164, rigmate illustrated. Frank Schmidt and Gary Guyette, The Art of Deception: Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of Paul Tudor Jones II, St. Michaels, MD, 2006, p. 105, related example illustrated. Quintina Colio, American Decoys, Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 59, related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William H. Purnell Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the above