Makers / Ben Dye / Redhead

Ben Dye Mackey Redhead

Capt. Benjamin F. Dye (1832-1896) Perryville, MD, c. 1880

$3,600
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $2,000–$3,000over estimate
Sold Jul 2023at Copley, July 2023

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesRedheadSize12.75"

The catalog record

Capt. Benjamin F. Dye (1832-1896) Perryville, MD, c. 1880 12 3/4 in. long

This early Upper Bay decoy bears the Mackey Collection ink stamp. He illustrated this decoy in his book, noting that "stylized paint patterns such as this were seldom used after 1900 on Chesapeake Bay waters." In a mix of old paint with heavy gunning wear and a neck crack.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Ronald S. Swanson Collection Private Collection

Literature: William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 145, pl. 122, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Ronald S. Swanson Collection Private Collection

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Ben Dye Redheads to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
3 Oct 2026——$1,800
Feb 2021——$2,640
15 Feb 2020——$600
Jul 2018—Repaint$2,040
17 Feb 2017—Original$5,700

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Ben Dye sales