CANVASBACK DRAKE 174. Rare Canvasback by James T. Holly. with a deeply inlet lead weight on the bottom which runs from under the tail forward for balance. Condition and rarity very good for such an early period decoy. 12000-18000 174 Canvasback drake c1890 by James T. Holly (1855-1935) of Havre De Grace, Maryland. Hot branded on the bottom with G.B.G., R P and D. G. Elliot”. Henry Fleckenstein in a video taped appraisal of the Holly decoy relates that the G. B. G. Brand Is for George Bird Grin- nell and D. G. Elliot. Mr. Fleckenstein informs us that both Grin- nell and Elliot were 19th century sporting writers from New York and members of the Currituck Club In North Carolina. Mr. Fleckenstein speculates that their Holly decoys were purchased for shooting at the Currituck club by Elliot and Grinnell. He writes on page 238 in “De- coys Of The Mid-Atlantic Region”, Daddy Holly’s youngest son, Jim, was a decoy maker in his own right. A boatbuilder and craftsman by trade, he made the most seaworthy, yet trim bushwhack boat on the Flats. His boats were said to be unequaled in the water. ”I suspect his decoys were as well,” Mr. Fleckenstein said, in 2008, he feels a reason- able price for this decoy is $20,000 to $25,000 but that it could go as high as $40,000 at auction. Evidently Henry traded the decoy to the consignor’s family many years prior and says that of all the decoys in this collection, the James Holly canvasback is his favorite. Henry feels this decoy is all original. Certainly the paint is tight and without flak- ing or checking. If not all original it may have some enhancement. No checks, chips or flaws. In remarkable structural condition. 65 1194263 text.indd 65 6/20/19 11:48 AM 1194263 text_065 Page 65 28-Jun-19 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black