Nathan Cobb, Jr. Black Duck

Nathan Cobb, Jr. (1825-1905) Cobb Island, VA, c. 1890 A classic hollow Cobb Island decoy with a full rounded breast and "V" cut tail. Henry Fleckenstein illustrated this bird in his book "Southern Decoys," and added the following description: "Black Duck by Nathan Cobb, Jr. of Cobb's Island, Virginia, circa 1880-1890, original paint, hollow, glass eyes, inletted head, good "N" in bottom." Original paint with gunning wear, "old school" gunning repairs to bill crack, with two screws, and a tacked grain check along back, slight seam separation, and weights removed.

Provenance: William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection Private Collection, Connecticut (acquired from the above)

Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein, Jr. "Southern Decoys of Virginia and the Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 201, plate 42,1 exact decoy illustrated. Gene and Linda Kangas, "Decoys," Paducah, KY, 1992, p. 110, rigmate 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, 1973, Session III, Lot 255, rigmate illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey, Jr. Collection Private Collection, Connecticut (acquired from the above)