Joe King Early Canada Goose

Joe King (1835-1913) Manahawkin, NJ, c. 1870 24 in. long

This hollow decoy uniquely brings together the best of New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland waterfowling history.

While the Cobb Islanders' created many of their decoy rigs on Island, they did import a rig of brant and geese from one of New Jersey's earliest and finest makers, Joe King. This King decoy was from that rig and is branded "E. B. COBB" for Captain Elkanah B. Cobb, the son of Nathan Cobb, Jr.

"SGH" is on the underside for early collector Somers Headley. Headley had his friend Lem Ward (1896-1983), of Crisfield, Maryland, paint this decoy. This bird was also exhibited at the Noyes Museum and bears the museum's ink stamp. In Lem Ward paint with light wear.

Provenance: Captain Elkanah B. Cobb Rig Somers G. Headley Collection Richard and Lynn Gove Collection Exhibited: Oceanville, New Jersey, The Noyes Museum of Art, 1991.

Provenance

Captain Elkanah B. Cobb Rig Somers G. Headley Collection Richard and Lynn Gove Collection