Mason Decoy Factory Mccleery Salesman's Sample Black-bellied Plover

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1900 10 1/4 in. long

This carving is the best of its kind, with extra attention paid by the painter executing the developed plumage swirls and the curation of the decoy by Dr. McCleery, who had his pick of many dozens of Mason plover over his decades of collecting and upgrading.

A one-of-a-kind salesman's sample shorebird decoy by the Mason Decoy Factory, inscribed "Black Breast Plover, $7.50. Dz." on the underside. This "A-1" grade shorebird decoy exhibits breeding plumage in its painted feather detail with early swirled and stippled paint. The bottom is also stamped "McCLEERY."

Historically, salesmen would carry examples of the decoys illustrated in the catalog when pursuing orders for their company. This example was one of six salesman's sample decoys, each a different species, acquired by noted New Jersey collector, Mort Hanson.

Dr. McCleery, widely known as one of the leading decoy collectors of all time, once proclaimed, "Masons - The undisputed royalty of factory made decoys." Illustrating McCleery as a factory decoy aficionado, the McCleery auction sale catalog tallies well over a quarter of his bird decoys as factory made. Original paint with minor wear.

Provenance: Mort Hanson Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Mark Smith Collection Private Collection

Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 12. Russ J. Goldberger and Alan G. Haid, "Mason Decoys: A Complete Pictorial Guide," Burtonsville, MD, 1993, pp. 106, 107, 136, and back dust-jacket cover, similar decoys illustrated. Jackson Parker, "Auction News," Decoy Magazine, May/June 2000, pp. 40-42, p. 40, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Mort Hanson Collection Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Mark Smith Collection Private Collection