Eli Doughty Mackey Doughty Robin Snipe

Eli Doughty (1844-1923) Hog Island, VA, c. 1870 6 1/2 in. long

A full-bodied robin snipe from Hog Island. Eli Doughty, while less prolific than his Cobb Island neighbors, is considered among the region's most important makers. Indeed, a related curlew can be seen on the front dust-jacket cover of Fleckenstein's "Shorebird Decoys." A closely related red knot is held in the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. This decoy retains the Mackey Collection and the Sam Dyke Collection stamps. Original paint with even gunning wear, replaced bill.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Sam Dyke Collection Private Collection, New York

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, 1973, Session I & II, lot 423, rigmate illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., “Shore Bird Decoys,” Exton, PA, 1980, front cover (in basket), related example illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Sam Dyke Collection Private Collection, New York