Gus Wilson The Mccleery Wilson Scoter

Augustus "Gus" Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) South Portland, ME, c. 1900 17 in. long

Featured in the first plate of "Call to the Sky," this decoy was held back from the historic 2000 McCleery auction by the estate. Other select decoys that were held back include the record-setting McCleery Eider shown on the same "Call to the Sky" image, and several of the doctor's best Crowell shorebirds, including two dust-jacket plover and the rare lesser yellowlegs in this auction (lot 112). Copley is honored to have been selected by the McCleery family to sell this along with other McCleery decoys in this sale.

This iconic decoy is a refined Monhegan Island style sea duck with raised wings on a broad body and an elegant head position. In old gunning paint with even gunning wear, and original knot by left shoulder.

Provenance: James M. McCleery, M.D. Collection Cathy McCleery Bauguss Estate, by descent from the above

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 2-3, exact decoy illustrated. Sotheby's and Guyette and Schmidt, "American Waterfowl Decoys: The Distinguished Collection of Dr. James M. McCleery," New York, NY, January 22, 2000, p. 229, exact decoy illustrated in McCleery's living room. Exhibited: Houston, Texas, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston Museum of Natural History, 1992-1993.

Provenance

James M. McCleery, M.D. Collection Cathy McCleery Bauguss Estate, by descent from the above