Benjamin Holmes Tucked-head Goldeneye

Benjamin Holmes (1843-1912) Stratford, CT, c. 1880 13 in. long

A charming hollow whistler drake which relates closely to William J. Mackey's widely published Sanford rig decoy which was painted by Shang Wheeler. Old working paint with heavy gunning wear including some flaking to wood.

Literature: Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 42, closely related decoy illustrated. Eugene V. Connett, ed., "Duck Shooting Along the Atlantic Tidewater," New York, NY, 1947, p. 68, closely related 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," Hyannis, MA, Sessions I & II, 1973, lot 525, closely related decoy illustrated. David S. Webster and William Kehoe, "Decoys at Shelburne Museum," Burlington, VT, 1961, p. 40, rigmate illustrated.