Barber, Joel D

Male Widgeon Decoy: watercolor of a Stevens Factory decoy

Signed in lower right "Joel D. Barber / New York 1928". An illustration to Barber's Wild Fowl Decoys (plate 60). Image 11-1/2 x 18-3/4 inches, framed to 16 x 22-1/2 inches overall, New York: [The Derrydale Press], 1928. Fine condition. Provenance: From the private collection of Eugene V. Connett III.

A fine, large rendering, very much reduced in the Derrydale Press and Winward House editions of Barber's classic book. It shows "a Stevens Widgeon...In this decoy the painting is original and still shows the work of a 'graining comb' on the back". The watercolor execution is meticulous. Inscribed verso: “Amer. Widgeon (Baldpate) / No detailed history - just used in Currituck Sound (North Carolina) / the Currituck Club. / Reproduced through the Courtesy of H.F. Stone Esq. of New York, 1928. / Note-- Undoubtedly a machine made decoy of the Eighties - a product of some early northern factory (possibly a Stevens - Weedsport) / Joel.” A UNIQUE AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE DERRYDALE DUCK RENDERING Siegel 85.

Item #214599       Price: $12,500.00