Thomas Gelston High-head Red-breasted Merganser

Thomas Gelston (1851-1924) Quogue, Long Island, NY, c. 1890 17 3/4 in. long, 8 1/2 in. tall

A rare Gelston duck decoy from his personal gunning rig. Branded "THG" on both sides of the keel. Gelston is celebrated for his varied head positions in shorebird decoys, this high-head merganser exhibits that same dynamic style in one of his rare floaters. This is one of the highest merganser heads seen on a decoy from any region. Original paint with even gunning wear, touch-up to reset neck.

Provenance: Thomas H. Gelston Rig Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: Gene and Linda Kangas, "Decoys: A North American Survey," Spanish Fork, UT, 1983, p. 68, pl. 110, rigmate illustrated. Timothy R. Sieger, "The Decoys of Long Island," Water Mill, NY, 2010, p. 29, rigmate illustrated. Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 22, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Thomas H. Gelston Rig Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection