Verity Family Greater Yellowlegs

John Henry Verity (1788-1866) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1840 Many collectors believe John Henry Verity to be the earliest of the documented shorebird carvers. Highly unusual hardwood construction, possibly mahogany. An extremely heavy bird, no doubt further weighted down having been hit by numerous shot. The bird displays classic Verity heart-shaped wing carving, beveled edge tail carving, and circular incised eyes. Overall, a wonderful, honest hunting decoy by one of Long Island's most famous carvers. Numerous coats of Verity working paint with a pleasing old surface, heavily hit by shot, most of the shot holes were filled with multiple coats of working repaint. A tight crack running the length of one side of the bird has been professionally filled, two tight age cracks in the head, tight crack to original bill has been reset.

Provenance: Peter Brams Collection

Literature: H. Fleckenstein, Jr., Shorebird Decoys, Exton, PA, 1980, p. 87.

Provenance

Peter Brams Collection