Mason Decoy Factory Premier Bluebill Hen

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI c.1915 15.75" long

Nicely preserved Premier Grade hen. Plump hollow body with very strong paint. There's even some spots of old newspaper print visible on the underside.

When packing their decoys into wooden crates for shipment, the Mason Decoy Factory utilized old newspaper as packing and wrapping material. Since the thick oil-based paint barely had time to dry before packing, it was common for some of the newspaper print to transfer onto the surface. Many lightly used Masons still have remnants of this old packing print visible on their surface.

Condition: Very good and original. Some loss to the minimal neck filler and paint. Left eye is replaced. Common areas of paint rub around the edges of the bill and tail. Tight age check in left side of head. Some flaking on the back with a pin head size of grey touched up in the right speculum.