Joseph Lincoln Long Tail Duck Hen

Joseph W. Lincoln (1859-1938) Accord, MA, c. 1890 An outstanding "quandy" decoy, as Dr. Starr referred to this species. The clean form of Lincoln's old squaw patterns combined with his simple but elegant paint application make his old squaws one of his top species amongst collectors. Very few Lincoln old squaws in original paint have ever surfaced. Those that have survived are tucked away in some of the most important decoy collections in the country and are highly coveted by collectors.

"Q-2" is written on the bottom of this decoy, a collector's code Starr used designating this as the second quandy he collected. He also wrote "Joe Lincoln, Accord, Mass." The bottom also bears Starr's "fan" stamp and faint "wood duck" stamp and the rig brand of "H E Spear". Henry Spear (b. 1869) and his sons, Chester (1888-1956) and Ernie (b. 1897), were important patrons and bird hunting companions of Joseph Lincoln. Original paint with even wear and flaking along grain lines.

Provenance: Henry E. Spear Rig George Ross Starr, Jr., M.D. Collection, acquired from the Spear family Ronald Swanson Collection Private Collection

Literature: George Ross Starr, Jr., M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," Tulsa, OK, 1974, p. 155, figure 75, exact decoy illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "The Rare Decoy Collection of George Ross Starr, Jr., M.D.," Hyannis, MA, 1986, p. 23, lot 59, exact decoy illustrated. Cap Vinal, "Joseph W. Lincoln," Rockland, MA, 2002, p. 44, similar decoys illustrated.

Provenance

Henry E. Spear Rig George Ross Starr, Jr., M.D. Collection, acquired from the Spear family Ronald Swanson Collection Private Collection