Makers / William Humphrey / Yellowlegs

William Humphrey Greater Yellowlegs

William Humphrey (1823–1880s) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, c. 1870

William Humphrey – Greater Yellowlegs – 2018
$8,400
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $10,000–$15,000under estimate
Sold 16 Feb 2018at The Winter Sale 2018 — Copley

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesYellowlegsConfigRigPaintOriginal

The catalog record

William Humphrey (1823–1880s) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, c. 1870 13 in. tall

From a rig of only eight, this boldly carved shorebird is one of the finest Canadian yellowlegs to come on the market. The original wrapped thighs remain intact.

A related example resides in the Canadian Museum of History's (Musee Canadien de L'Historie) Harbinson Collection. Original paint with gunning wear.

Provenance: Grant Nelson Collection

Literature: Jackson Parker, "The Year in Review: The Decoy at Auction 2002," "Decoy Magazine," 2002, p. 19, number 46, exact bird illustrated. Patricia Fleming, ed., "Traditions in Wood," Toronto, Ontario, 1987, p. 126, related decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Grant Nelson Collection

Comparable sales

The 1 most recent William Humphrey Yellowlegs to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Jul 2022—Original$14,400

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All William Humphrey sales