William Roberts Hook-bill Curlew

William Roberts (d. c. 1910) Cape May, NJ, c. 1880 A large tack-eyed shorebird decoy with a "HILLMAN collection" stamp on the underside. Original paint with craquelure, minor flaking, and even gunning wear. Bill may be original.

Provenance: Roberts Family John Hillman Collection, acquired from the above, c. 1965 Private Collection, Florida

Literature: William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 135, plate 112, rigmate illustrated. Paul A. Johnsgard, "The Bird Decoy: An American Art Form," Lincoln, NE, 1976, p. 154, similar decoy illustrated. Guyette and Schmidt, Inc., "The Hillman Collection: Rare Antique Waterfowl Decoys," W. Farmington, ME, April 1996, lot 645, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Roberts Family John Hillman Collection, acquired from the above, c. 1965 Private Collection, Florida