A few examples of appraisal values for
GOLDEN PLOVER

• GOLDEN PLOVER SHOREBIRDA Golden
  GOLDEN PLOVER SHOREBIRDA Golden Plover shorebird decoy in original paint with delineated wings and a wooden beak. Strong form. As-found condition with a small hole in the tail. Massachusetts, early 20th century. Allio Collection.
• GOLDEN PLOVERMassachusetts c.
  GOLDEN PLOVERMassachusetts c. 1900 10 in. long A classic Massachusetts plover with a split tail, carved from a one-and-three-quarter-inch board. Original and old working paint with heavy gunning wear, reset bill appears to be original. Provenance: Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection
• GOLDEN PLOVER FLATTIE DECOYOriginal
  GOLDEN PLOVER FLATTIE DECOYOriginal paint.
• RUNNING GOLDEN AND BLACK-BELLIED
  RUNNING GOLDEN AND BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERSNantucket, MA, c. 1880 11 in. long Two plovers that show similar characteristics to the carvings attributed to Captain James Wyer (1816-1899) of Nantucket, MA. The black-bellied plover has an "X" rig mark on the underside. The golden has original paint with moderate wear and some uneven varnish. The black-bellied has gunning wear mostly to the left side and a replaced bill. Provenance: Private Collection, Nantucket
• GOLDEN PLOVERNantucket, MA, c. 1890
  GOLDEN PLOVERNantucket, MA, c. 1890 10 in. long A two-piece Nantucket plover with wire bill. Original paint with even gunning wear.
• GOLDEN PLOVERDavid Goodspeed
  GOLDEN PLOVERDavid Goodspeed (1862-1943) (attr.) Duxbury, MA, c. 1880 9 1/2 in. long A rare decoy with gold spots on a ruddy back. Original paint with moderate gunning wear, a few minor dings in back, and a replaced bill. Provenance: Wade and Sharon Wander Collection
• GOLDEN PLOVER WITH RAISED WINGSCape
  GOLDEN PLOVER WITH RAISED WINGSCape Cod, MA, c. 1870 10 in. long An early well-carved decoy. Old gunning paint with moderate gunning wear. Provenance: Found in a Wellfleet home in the 1920s
• GOLDEN PLOVERCoffin Family
  GOLDEN PLOVERCoffin Family Nantucket, MA, c. 1870 9 3/4 in. long A golden plover with two-piece construction, a bold bull neck, and a teardrop-shaped body. The dark breeding plumage is finished with tight white and yellow stippling. Mix of original and old working paint by the maker with even gunning wear. Provenance: Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection
• GOLDEN PLOVER WITH RAISED WINGSMark
  GOLDEN PLOVER WITH RAISED WINGSMark S. McNair (b. 1950) Craddockville, VA, 2013 10 in. long A golden plover with inserted oak wing tips, glass eyes, and the maker’s incised signature on the underside. Original paint with light wear. Provenance: Harry and Judy Bextel Collection
• JOHN RAMSEY (1858-1934) GOLDEN
  JOHN RAMSEY (1858-1934) GOLDEN PLOVERA Golden Plover by John Ramsey (1858-1934), Summerside Prince Edward Island, in colourful overpaint. Some tail damage and the beak has been replaced. Circa 1910. Allio Collection. FRANCAIS: Pluvier doré de John Ramsey (1858-1934), Summerside Île-du-Prince-Édouard, vieil sur-peinture polychrome. Petit dommage à la queue et bec remplacé. Circa 1910. Collection Allio.
• GOLDEN PLOVERMr. Webster Nantucket,
  GOLDEN PLOVERMr. Webster Nantucket, MA, c. 1850 10 in. long This early plover with a sharp tail cut is among the best of its kind from the iconic Webster rig. It has resided on the island since it was made over a century and a half ago. Created in an upright posture, the swooping lines of this alert siren are on full display. Early collectors Donal C. O’Brien Jr., William J. Mackey Jr., Adele Earnest, and Dr. Peter Muller all believed that the plover from this rig were some of the finest works of American folk art they had ever come across. Indeed, Mackey and Donal O’Brien hunted down and acquired fifteen of the seventeen examples that surfaced. The majority continue to reside in the Donal O’Brien Collection and one can be seen in Mackey and Weiler’s "Classic Shorebird Decoys" portfolio. The rig is consistent in paint, depicted in bold breeding plumage; however, each bird's form is slightly different and the maker's free-hand approach produced a lively flock with no two birds exactly alike. No survey of Nantucket shorebirds would be complete without an example of Webster's contributions to American folk art. Original paint with light gunning wear. Provenance: Franklin Folger Webster Collection Allan "Rocket" Royal Collection, acquired from the above Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1975 Literature: Milton C. Weiler, "The Classic Decoy Series: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1969, pl. 2, rigmate illustrated. William Doyle Galleries, “Waterfowl and Shorebird Decoys,” New York, NY, April 15, 1981, back cover and p. 61, lot 76, rigmate illustrated twice. Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, p. 8, rigmate illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 13, related example 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, 1973, Session III, lot 320, rigmate illustrated. Jeff Waingrow, “The American Decoy: Folk Sculpture from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Donal C. O’Brien Jr.,” The Clarion: America’s Folk Art Magazine, Fall 1981, p. 30, rigmate illustrated. Jackson Parker, “O’Brien Classic Decoys on Display at Museum of American Folk Art,” North American Decoys Magazine, Spring/Summer 1982, p. 34, rigmate illustrated. Laurence Sheehan, "The Sporting Life," New York, NY, 1992, p. 79, two rigmates illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys, Sessions I-II," July 27, 2017, inside front cover, six rigmates illustrated in Donal O’Brien’s living room.
• AIDEN LASSELL RIPLEY
  AIDEN LASSELL RIPLEY (1896-1969)Golden Plover, 1930 pencil, 9 by 14 in. This drawing appeared in a magazine called "The Sportsman" in November 1930, illustrating an article by John C. Phillips on birds in flight. Provenance: Literature: John C. Phillips, "The Flight Speed of Birds," The Sportsman, November 1930, p. 59, illustrated.
• GOLDEN PLOVERJoseph W. Lincoln
  GOLDEN PLOVERJoseph W. Lincoln (1859-1938) Accord, MA, c. 1890 10 in. long A rare "greenhead" decoy with split-tail carving. Original paint with even gunning wear and slight discoloration on right side of breast. Literature: Cap Vinal, "Joseph W. Lincoln," Rockland, MA, 2002, p. 66, related example illustrated.
• WYER GOLDEN PLOVERCapt. William
  WYER GOLDEN PLOVERCapt. William J. Wyer (1822-1913) Nantucket, MA, c. 1870 10 1/2 in. long A classic split-tailed black-bellied plover from the renowned Capt. Wyer known for his crisp lines, bold stippling, and hunting prowess. The underside has some small collector markings. Original paint with gunning wear and a possible bill replacement. Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien Jr. Collection Schiller Martin Collection Ronald S. Swanson Collection Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection
• RARE GOLDEN PLOVERElisha Burr
  RARE GOLDEN PLOVERElisha Burr (1839-1909) Hingham, MA, c. 1870 8 3/4 in. long This diminutive Burr decoy is one of only two like it; the other of which resides in a prominent Cape Cod collection. These two gems are distinctive with their petite form with highly refined and delicate features from tip to tail. The paint features lively and bright gold and white stippling across the wings and fine ticking on the breast. Original paint with even gunning wear, tight cracks in wing tips, touch-up to neck crack, forehead, and filled shallow flat spot by stick hole. Small black smudge removed from right side. Provenance: Private Collection, Cape Cod Literature: William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 88, pl. 69, running plover illustrated.
• DOVETAILED GOLDEN PLOVERMark S.
  DOVETAILED GOLDEN PLOVERMark S. McNair (b. 1950) Craddockville, VA, 2000 12 in. long A refined hollow plover with a removable dovetailed head. The underside bears an incised "McNair" signature and a bone stick hole inlay. Original paint with light wear. Provenance: Harry and Judy Bextel Collection Literature: Zac Zetterberg, ed., "American Decoy: The Invention," Peoria, IL, 2020, p. 107, related rig illustrated.
• John James Audubon (American
  John James Audubon (American 1785-1851) "Golden Plover" Plate 300 hand-colored engraving with aquatint from Birds of America Havell edition "J. Whatman/1836" watermark sheet 25 3/4 in. x 38 1/2 in.
• HOLLOW GOLDEN PLOVERMark S.
  HOLLOW GOLDEN PLOVERMark S. McNair (b. 1950) Craddockville, VA, 1988 12 in. long An eggshell-thin hollow golden plover with an inlaid stick-hole, raised wings, and the maker's incised signature on the underside. This highly refined decoy is the number one item in the Bextel's chronological collection booklet, in which it is dated 4/17/1988." Original paint with light wear. Provenance: Harry and Judy Bextel Collection
• TWO DECORATIVE PLOVER CARVINGSBy
  TWO DECORATIVE PLOVER CARVINGSBy James Lapham of Dennisport Massachusetts. One black-bellied plover and one golden plover. Mounted on carved clamshell bases.
• GOLDEN PLOVERCoffin Family
  GOLDEN PLOVERCoffin Family Nantucket, MA, c. 1870 9 1/2 in. long A two-piece Coffin golden plover in transitional plumage. Original paint with moderate gunning wear and uneven varnish. Provenance: Private Collection, Nantucket
• GOLDEN PLOVERMassachusetts, c. 1880
  GOLDEN PLOVERMassachusetts, c. 1880 10 in. long A split-tail carving with an incised identifying mark on the underside. In working repaint with gunning wear and replaced bill.
• EARLY HOLLOW GOLDEN PLOVER WITH
  EARLY HOLLOW GOLDEN PLOVER WITH RAISED WING TIPSFolger Family Nantucket, MA, c. 1840 9 in. long “To me,” wrote Donal C. O’Brien Jr. “...these are the greatest of all the Nantucket Golden Plovers; very early 1800s.” Indeed, this decoy and the very small number of birds by the maker are among the island’s most coveted decoys. Donal O’Brien collected four rigmates and two more similar to lot 363. Donal acquired some of his early Folgers directly from Franklin Folger Webster (1895-1980), one of which was his first pick from the Webster collection. Only one example of these early Folgers has surfaced outside of the O’Brien Collections. Beyond the rarity and provenance of this feather-weight carving Donal O’Brien noted his belief that these Folgers influenced A. Elmer Crowell and that Adele Earnest thought so as well. Donal O’Brien noted his belief that the Nantucket makers influenced A. Elmer Crowell and that Adele Earnest thought so as well. This stands the test of reason as a vast majority of the Nantucket decoys predate the work of Crowell and we know of at least one rig of Nantucket decoys that Crowell repainted prior to 1900. Earlier than Cobbs, the shorebirds of Nantucket rank up there with the top carvings of all time. This hollowed calling form has refined lines, a full breast, and carved raised wings which are raised and separated above the tail. The complex form was finished with high-contrast plumage with a white headband, a mottled breast, and white stippling on the back. Given their age, provenance and style the best attributions are to Franklin Folger Webster’s forefathers three or four generations prior, these being William Folger (1785-1865) or his son Franklin Folger Sr. (1815-1895). One of Donal O’Brien’s birds of this model can be seen in the “Nantucket Island No. 2” plate of Mackey and Weiler’s “Classic Shorebird Decoys.” “Golden Plovers visited the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, with predictable regularity late in August. Most of the decoys used for them are both old and choice.” — William J. Mackey Jr., “American Bird Decoys” Original paint with moderate gunning wear, including rubs to brows, a maker's patch is original to the carving. Provenance: Franklin Folger Webster Collection Allan "Rocket" Royal Collection, acquired from the above Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1975 Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 16, rigmate illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 76, Nantucket decoys discussed.
• FOUR TIN PLOVER DECOYSUsed on
  FOUR TIN PLOVER DECOYSUsed on Nantucket. Three black-bellied plovers and one golden plover.
• GOLDEN PLOVERNantucket, MA, c. 1860
  GOLDEN PLOVERNantucket, MA, c. 1860 9 in. long A plump form with two-piece construction and green stippled plumage. Original paint with light gunning wear. Provenance: Wade and Sharon Wander Collection
• A pair of Royal Worcester plates
  A pair of Royal Worcester plates painted a golden plover and pochard in wetlands by James Stinton, 27cm diameter
• RARE PLOVEREd Snyder (1928-2011)
  RARE PLOVEREd Snyder (1928-2011) Rio Vista, CA, c. 1945 11 in. long, 9 1/2 in. tall This black-bellied plover has finely painted feather detail, incised primaries, and the maker's signature on the underside. Original paint with light wear. Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection Literature: Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, no plover illustrated.
• PLOVER AND YELLOWLEGSMassachusetts,
  PLOVER AND YELLOWLEGSMassachusetts, c. 1900 10 in. long A split-tail yellowlegs with painted oval eyes and a "X" rig marking on the underside. The small golden plover was carved from a one-and-one-eighth-inch board. The yellowlegs is in original paint with uneven varnish. The plover appears to be in original paint with a replaced bill. Both have gunning wear. Provenance: Private Collection, Nantucket
• THE ELY-NORCROSS GOLDEN PLOVER
  THE ELY-NORCROSS GOLDEN PLOVER PAIRNantucket, MA, c. 1840 10 in. long A fine and important pair of Nantucket golden plover. This pair represents two of the most well-documented Nantucket shorebirds known. A letter from Nicholas Norcross to Alfred Ely in 1946 states that these birds were hunted over by Sidney Chase, George H. Mackay (1865-1922), Capt. Wyer (1822-1913), and Norcross himself. At that time, Norcross stated, "They must be at least 100 yrs old for I have had them over 50 yrs." The Ely-Norcross correspondence provides us with a rare glimpse into the age of these Nantucket carvings and gunners who used them. "The wooden ones are of Ancient Vintage nearly 100 years old and if only they could talk what Tales they could tell. Capt. Wyer and Sidny Chase shot over 100 Doe Birds with them years ago. Capt. Wyer sent his share to Boston and got what was New then a Breach [sic] loading double gun." — Nicholas G. Norcross, August 5, 1946 Outstanding dry original paint with even gunning wear. Provenance: Captain Wyer Rig Nicholas G. Norcross Rig, gifted from the above, circa 1895 Alfred Ely Collection, purchased from the above in 1946 Private Collection, by descent from the above Private Collection Literature: Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2019," Charleston, SC, February 16, 2019, lot 255, exact pair illustrated.
• GOLDEN PLOVER DECOYFrom Nantucket
  GOLDEN PLOVER DECOYFrom Nantucket Massachusetts. Original paint. Replaced bill. Left side has considerable wear and paint loss.
• Golden plover decoy, turned head,
  Golden plover decoy, turned head, marked on base "Made by Beckman" (Harvey Beckman, Seabrook, New Hampshire, working 1956-1963), 6-1/2 in., mounted to driftwood. Good condition, very minor abrasions and surface wear.
• EARLY HOLLOW FOLGER GOLDEN
  EARLY HOLLOW FOLGER GOLDEN PLOVERFolger Family Nantucket, MA, c. 1840 11 in. long “Nantucket decoys are hard to come by and historically they are of great interest. Since they were used for relatively short periods of time each year, they were handed down from generation to generation.” — William J. Mackey Jr, “American Bird Decoys” “To me,” wrote Donal C. O’Brien Jr., “these are the greatest of all the Nantucket Golden Plovers; very early 1800s.” Indeed, this decoy and the very small number of birds by the maker are among the island’s most coveted decoys. Donal O’Brien collected two rigmates and a few related examples with raised wing tips (see lot 366). Donal acquired some of his directly from Franklin Folger Webster (1895-1980), one of which was his first pick from the Webster Collection. Only one example of these early Folgers has surfaced outside of the O’Brien Collections. Beyond the rarity at auction and provenance of this feather-weight carving, Donal O’Brien noted his belief that the Nantucket makers influenced A. Elmer Crowell and that Adele Earnest thought so as well. This stands the test of reason as a vast majority of the Nantucket decoys predate the work of Crowell and we know of at least one rig of Nantucket decoys that Crowell repainted prior to 1900. Earlier than Cobbs, the shorebirds of Nantucket rank up there with the top carvings of all time. This hollowed decoy has refined lines, a full breast, and carved raised wings which resolve alongside the thin tail. It was finished with high-contrast plumage, including colorful red spots on the back. Given their age, provenance, and style, the best attributions are to Franklin Folger Webster’s forefathers three and four generations prior: William Folger (1785-1865) or his son, Franklin Folger Sr. (1815-1865). Two birds by this Folger maker can be seen in the “Nantucket Island No. 2” plate of Mackey and Weiler’s “Classic Shorebird Decoys.” In the "No. 1" Nantucket spread, Weiler illustrates and Mackey discusses a Folger rig “...bandolier of sorts that protected [the hunter’s] cherished stools as he toted them to and from his shooting grounds.” The well-preserved condition of this 19th-century carvings can in part be attributed to the Folger family’s protective measures. Original paint with light gunning wear. Provenance: Franklin Folger Webster Collection Allan "Rocket" Royal Collection, acquired from the above Stephen B. O'Brien Sr. Collection, acquired from the above in 1975 Literature: Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 16, related examples illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 76, Nantucket decoys discussed. Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 218-219, early Crowell plover illustrated.
• A. ELMER CROWELL MINIATURE GOLDEN
  A. ELMER CROWELL MINIATURE GOLDEN PLOVER EAST HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, 1862-1952 HEIGHT 2.5".A. ELMER CROWELL MINIATURE GOLDEN PLOVER, East Harwich, Massachusetts, 1862-1952, Circa 1925. Mounted on an oval base. Rectangular stamp. Dimensions: Height 2.5".
• PLOVERF. P. Smith Duxbury, MA,
  PLOVERF. P. Smith Duxbury, MA, c. 1890 11 1/4 in. long An elegant plover in winter plumage with a rare long wing tip. Birds from this refined rig have been acquired by discerning shorebird collectors, including Donal C. O'Brien Jr., Grant Nelson, and Windsor White. Like its rigmates, it has a carefully sculpted metal bill and "F. P. SMITH" stamped in the underside of its two-inch wide body. Original paint with moderate gunning wear and a restored wing-tip chip.
• PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
  PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERA Black-bellied Plover from Prince Edward Island with a wooden beak, stamped J.D. Benne(?). Early 20th century. Allio Collection. FRANCAIS: Pluvier argenté de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard avec bec en bois, estampillé J.D. Benne(?). Début 20e siècle. Collection Allio.
• GOLDEN PLOVER DECOYFrom Nantucket
  GOLDEN PLOVER DECOYFrom Nantucket Massachusetts. Original paint. Missing bill. Left side lightly hit with shot. Four holes drilled into underside.
• GOLDEN PLOVER WITH HIGH
  GOLDEN PLOVER WITH HIGH DOVETAILED HEADMark S. McNair (b. 1950) Craddockville, VA, 2000 12 in. long This hollow carving has a removable head with a tall and thin neck. The underside bears an incised "McNair" signature and a bone-inlay stick hole. The inside of the dovetail has an incised "HB" for the artist's patron. Original paint with light wear. Provenance: Harry and Judy Bextel Collection, acquired from the artist