Tom Wilson Nina Fletcher Little Wilson Yellowlegs

Thomas C. Wilson (1865-1936) Ipswich, MA, c. 1890 12 1/2 in. long

This brilliant yellowlegs was discovered by Nina Fletcher Little in 1951 as part of a group of a dozen waterfowl and shorebird decoys. The vast majority of Little’s discovery was put on exhibition in "Tollers and Tattlers," a three-year exhibition at the Peabody Museum of Salem, Massachusetts, October 1989-1992. Examples ended up in distinguished collections, including those of Winsor White and Donal C. O’Brien Jr.

The son of a shipbuilder, Wilson was a market gunner early in his life. In 1910 he was a state officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Later in life, he moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he managed a gunning camp and guided other sportsmen. As a steadfast hunter and observer of shorebirds and ducks, Wilson’s ability to capture species’ attitudes and nuances was quite astute. This grand snipe shows the intricate stipple and loop feather paint that Wilson is known for. The work of Wilson is closely related to that of Fred Nichols (1854-1924), another of the North Shore's most talented makers. This is one of the finest Wilson decoys to ever be offered at auction.

The underside of the tail retains Little's early typed collector's note. Excellent original paint with minimal wear and a tight age line along the left side.

Provenance: Nina Fletcher Little Collection, acquired 1951 The Johnson Collection

Literature: Hal Sorenson, "Decoy Collector's Guide," Burlington, IA, 1965, p. 12, rigmate pictured on the wall in a photograph of Winsor White's home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, September/October 1989, cover and pp. 21-27, rigmates illustrated and discussed. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Sporting Sale 2010," Plymouth, MA, July 22-23, 2010, lot 665, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Nina Fletcher Little Collection, acquired 1951 The Johnson Collection