Dave Umbrella Watson The Mackey-purnell Watson Black Duck

Dave "Umbrella" Watson (1851-1939) Chincoteague, VA, c. 1900 17 in. long

This grand and hollow decoy was finished with some of the region's most refined feather paint, which has been very well preserved. The form, paint, condition, and provenance of this Mackey-Purnell black duck place it as perhaps the finest of its kind. Purnell's "P" brand is on underside. Excellent original paint with light gunning wear.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection William H. Purnell Jr. Collection, acquired from the above Collectable Old Decoys Private Collection, acquired from the above

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "Decoys of the Mid-Atlantic Region," Exton, PA, 1979, p. 196, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection William H. Purnell Jr. Collection, acquired from the above Collectable Old Decoys Private Collection, acquired from the above