Mason Decoy Factory Curlew

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1900 A rare early one-piece curlew with iron bill. Original paint with heavy gunning wear, an age split along the length of the right side has been professionally restored. A small area of touch-up on the left side, bill corrected to original angle.

Literature: John Levinson and Somers Headley, "Shorebirds: The Birds, The Hunters, The Decoys," Centerville, MD, 1991, p. 122, plate 9-14, exact decoy illustrated. Quintina Colio, American Decoys, Ephrata, PA, 1972, pp. 64-65, similar decoy illustrated. 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" Boston, MA, 1974, Session IV, Lot 312, similar decoy illustrated.