Ruddy Turnstone
New Jersey, c. 1900
8 1/4 in. long
"Never difficult to identify is a decoy of the 'busy' and beautiful Ruddy Turnstone. Even its popular name 'Calico-back,' has a pleasant connotation. It was rather common along the whole coast from Canada on south to Florida, but its decoys are decidedly rare. Why one locality made and used the great majority is hard to explain. Almost all known in collections today originated along the lower half of the Jersey coast." -William J. Mackey, Jr., 1965, referring to this exact decoy.
Several copies of this unknown maker's popular design have surfaced, making this Mackey-O'Brien "Calico-back" all the more revered.
Excellent original paint with light gunning wear.
Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection
Literature: William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 47, pl. 26, exact decoy illustrated.
Condition
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