Harry V. Shourds The O'brien Shourds Eclipse-plumage Bb Plover

Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) Tuckerton, NJ, c. 1890 9 1/2 in. long

A very fine example of this rare Shourds plover variation. This master carver heavily influenced the carving style of the New Jersey region. The underside retains the stamp that denotes the Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection. In original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection Private Collection, Florida

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys, From the Collection of the late William J. Mackey, Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Boston, MA, 1973, Session IV, lot 123, rigmate illustrated. Peter Johnson and Alf Wannenburgh, “The World of Shooting,” Lausanne, Switzerland, 1987, pp. 259-261, exact decoy illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions I-II," Hingham, MA, 2017, front inside boards of hard-cover edition, pp. 138-143, lots 68-75, exact decoy in O'Brien Shourds rig illustrated.

Provenance

Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection Private Collection, Florida