Peterson Mallard Hen Decoy, circa 1880

Early Peterson Mallard Hen Decoy, circa 1880, a proud and pioneer factory decoy with glass eyes, good worn original paint with possibly some old working touch-ups to the black on tail and shoulders, nice speckling on breast, very long bill and slightly protruding breast which gives the decoy a racy snakey head profile. There are a few small, very tight age checks on back and side, mostly hidden beneath the paint, and one check on the right cheek. The wood putty neck filler between the head and body is of course long gone. A very small “chip” in the tail looks like a tiny knot popped out of the wood block, probably when it was originally turned on a lathe. This is a heroic old decoy in surprisingly good condition, with great attitude and charisma.

The Peterson Decoy Company was founded by George Peterson in Detroit in 1873. He was the first “Factory” decoy producer, and pioneered the use of wood turning lathes and standardized patterns to make handsome, affordable decoys in sufficient quantity to sell nationally. He sold his business to Jasper N. Dodge in 1884 (who in turn sold the business to William J. Mason in 1896).

Measures: 6 in H x 15 1/2 in L x 4 7/8 in W