John Blair, Jr. Swimming Bluebill Drake

John Blair, Jr. (1881-1953) Philadelphia, PA, c. 1920 13 1/2 in. long

Birds from this rig have been identified by the maker's grandson as being the work of John Blair, Jr., who is known to have only produced broadbill, pintails, and black ducks.

This rare swimming broadbill decoy displays exceptional form with a pronounced paddle tail, humped back, subtle feather paint, and an upswept bill. It features the talented Delaware maker's hollow two-piece body construction with his signature beveled-edge pad weight on the underside. Original paint with even gunning wear and some flaking.

Provenance: Herb Wetanson Collection

Literature: H. Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, "Floating Sculpture," Spanish Fork, UT, 1982, p. 40, rigmates illustrated. Kenneth L. Gosner, "Working Decoys of the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley," Cranbury, NJ, 1985, p. 81, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

Herb Wetanson Collection