Thomas Gelston Curlew

Thomas Gelston (1851-1924) Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 A glass-eyed, horizontally laminated, cork-bodied shorebird decoy. Displayed on the underside is a written description "Eskimo Curlew, Thomas Gelston, Quogue, L. I." Original paint with light gunning wear, a small tail chip, and a replaced bill.

Provenance: Russell B. Aitken Collection Private Collection

Literature: Christie's, "The Russell B. Aitken Collection of Waterfowl Decoys," New York, NY, 2003, p. 122, lot 1305, exact decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr., "Shore Bird Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, p. 132, fig. 148, exact decoy illustrated. Quintina Colio, "American Decoys," Ephrata, PA, 1972, book cover, similar decoy illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 104, related decoys illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, p. 182, similar decoys illustrated.

Provenance

Russell B. Aitken Collection Private Collection