Ira Hudson Early Red-breasted Merganser Drake

Ira D. Hudson (1873-1949) Chincoteague, VA, c. 1915 A rare and very early raised-wing merganser decoy by Hudson displaying a thin fluted crest, elaborate wing and tail carving, even wear, and tack eyes. This decoy bridges the gap between Hudson’s very early “Gargatha” mergansers, which were made in 1914 or earlier, and his most well developed mergansers made circa 1930. This decoy shows Hudson’s rapid development from the Gargatha birds, with a full, almost humpback, body and intricate and refined carving. Original paint with even gunning wear, working touch-up to wing stripes, cracks in neck, and replaced bill.

Provenance: Henry H. Stansbury Collection Lloyd R. Hudson Collection (Grandson of the maker)

Literature: Henry H. Stansbury, "Ira D. Hudson and Family," Lewes, DE, 2002, p. 116, exact bird illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Southern Decoys of Virginia and the Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 5, plate 3, and p. 28, plate 27, Gargatha decoys illustrated.

Provenance

Henry H. Stansbury Collection Lloyd R. Hudson Collection (Grandson of the maker)