J. Lewis Barkalow Sandpiper

Capt. J. Lewis Barkalow (1875-1960) Forked River, NJ, c. 1900 The William J. Mackey Barkalow Peep

This small shorebird decoy, made for Barkalow’s own rig, displays a through-splined bill, superb stippled paint, and the maker's stamped "L B" signature on one side and the underside. The bird also retains the Mackey collection ink stamp on the underside of the tail.

William Mackey wrote in "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings": “In one corner of [Barkalow's] shed were several baskets filled with bird decoys carved by Capt. Lou. A rig of geese were stacked on shelves, but I can't recall any duck decoys; the snipe were feast enough for my eyes. As our friendship developed, the possibility grew that I might be able to purchase the bird decoys. It was a rounded rig that included sanderling, least sandpipers, yellowlegs, pectorals and a few black-bellied plover. Captain Barkalow made the decision to sell his birds without any pressure on my part. After all, this took place when... no one else showed the slightest interest in such artifacts.... Finally Lou stood up, pointed to them and said, "You owe me eight dollars and ten cents. They'll cost you ten cents a piece." The deal was consummated, and I have treasured them ever since.”

This decoy was the peep pick of the litter and Mackey used the other examples as currency for his legendary trades, including one that ended up in the Dr. George Ross Starr, Jr. Collection.

Barkalow was listed in the U.S Census for 1900 as a bayman. Fifteen years later, he was listed as a bayman and fisherman, and in 1940, he was listed as a fishing boat captain. Original paint with light gunning wear, including a reset tail chip.

Provenance: J. Lewis Barkalow Gunning Rig William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection Private Collection

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys From the Collection of the late William J. Mackey, Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, Session II, 1973, lot 339, exact bird illustrated. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 71, exact bird illustrated. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, plate 1, Mackey text. George Ross Starr, Jr., M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," Tulsa, OK, 1974, p. 68, figure 20, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

J. Lewis Barkalow Gunning Rig William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection Private Collection