Dave Umbrella Watson Feeding Dowitcher

Dave "Umbrella" Watson (1851-1938) Chincoteague, VA, c. 1910 10 1/2 in. long

This shorebird decoy has been part of the William J. Mackey, Jr. and the William H. Purnell, Jr. collections and bears their stamp and brand, respectively. Bill Purnell put together one of the greatest Southern decoy collections ever assembled. He owned a half dozen of the best examples from this shorebird rig, describing this particular decoy as "the best" among that group.

Made from mahogany, this Chincoteague Island shorebird decoy displays a feeding posture with deep V-cut wing definition.

William J. Mackey, Jr. wrote in “Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings,” “So little is known about Watson and his work that one wonders how such famous gunners as Van Campen Heilner came to have the Gooseville Gun Club stocked with Watson's decoys. Of course, he was head and shoulders over all local competition. It is only within the last few years, however, that his shorebirds have been identified. The pert dowitcher shown was part of a little group found in Andy Dirksen's clam house, where they had gathered dust for many years. Andy had ordered them from Dave Watson, so the evidence was complete. Since that happy day, a few more pieces have turned up that can be attributed to him.” Original paint with even gunning wear, a chip under bill, and three-quarter bill repair.

Provenance: William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection Grant Nelson Collection

Literature: Cameron T. McIntyre, "Ira Hudson: Creating the perfect Virginia decoy," Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE, September/October, 1995, p. 15, exact decoy illustrated. Sotheby's and Guyette & Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, 2000, lot 46, similar decoy illustrated. Henry H. Stansbury, "Ira D. Hudson and Family: Chincoteague Carvers," Lewes, DE, 2002, pp. 140-141, similar decoys illustrated. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey, Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, plate 24, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection William H. Purnell, Jr. Collection Grant Nelson Collection