William H. Southard Running Ruddy Turnstone

William H. Southard (1874-1940) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 8 1/2 in. long

While turnstones are a handsome bird, they were not prized by early hunters, making their decoys very rare. Runners, such as this model, are especially hard to come by. The outstretched body displays S-carved wings and stippled paint detail. Original paint with minor wear, some overpaint successfully removed from back and some repaint to the right wing and the right side of head.

Provenance: Bud Ward Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the above, 1987

Literature: The Ward Museum, "The Decoys of Long Island," Salisbury, MD, 2010, p. 34, Verity turnstone illustrated. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 47, New Jersey turnstones illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 43, Verity turnstone illustrated.

Provenance

Bud Ward Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the above, 1987