Joseph Lincoln The Starr Lincoln American Merganser Drake

Joseph W. Lincoln (1859-1938) Accord, MA, c. 1890 19 in. long

“The pair of mergansers...look almost severely modern. They came to me from Captain Arthur Fuller of Padanaram, Massachusetts, who bought them directly from Lincoln many years ago. He claims they would outpull any other shelldrake decoys he ever saw.” -Dr. George Ross Starr, Jr “Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway,” 1974, discussing lot 172 and its mate.

The clean form of Lincoln's merganser patterns combined with his simple, elegant paint application place this species, along with his long-tail ducks, among the most sought-after of the maker's carvings. The maker's American merganser drakes in original condition are nearly impossible to find, making this stellar example all the more noteworthy.

The underside is marked with the "A. B. F." brand and both Starr Collection ink stamps. Strong original paint with even gunning wear and an original check through underside.

Provenance: Capt. Arthur B. Fuller Rig, acquired directly from the artist Dr. George Ross Starr Jr. Collection, acquired from the above Private Collection, Virginia Thomas M. Evans Collection

Literature: George Ross Starr Jr. M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," Tulsa, OK, 1974, p. 153, pl. 18, exact decoy Illustrated. Cap Vinal, "Joseph W. Lincoln," Rockland, MA, 2002, pp. 11 and 13 exact decoy and rigmate illustrated. Midwest Decoy Collectors Association, Fifth Annual Exhibition of Classic Antique Waterfowl Decoys, Oakbrook, Il, 1983, p. 29, exact decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Capt. Arthur B. Fuller Rig, acquired directly from the artist Dr. George Ross Starr Jr. Collection, acquired from the above Private Collection, Virginia Thomas M. Evans Collection