Ira Hudson Bluebill Drake

Ira D. Hudson (1873-1949) Chincoteague, VA, c. 1935 13 in. long

A bold gunning decoy with a grand body, lively paint, and deeply fluted banjo tail. The excellent condition of this decoy suggests that it was never hunted, and it is possible that Bush collected it as a contemporary decoy from the maker.

The unattached wooden base bears the painted inscription "Broad-Bill (Scaup) Male / Made by Ira N. [sic] Hudson Cincoteague [sic] Virginia." Original paint with minimal wear, some crazing mostly around wing tips and on front sides, crack along top right side.

Provenance: Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "Decoys of the Mid-Atlantic Region," Exton, PA, 1979, p. 195, closely related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Walter L. Bush Collection Collection of a New York City Museum, acquired from the above in 1953