Rare Hollow Bluebill
James "Bud" Tully (1918-1973
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, c. 1940
15 1/2 in. long

A rare and exceptional decoy with feather-light construction and a wonderfully textured surface. Tully was not prolific and his smooth body models, such as this one, are particularly rare. The bottom board is struck with a "Queen's Hotel' brand.
Excellent original paint with light wear. A few stabilizing nails to original reset bill.

Literature: Patricia Fleming and Thomas Carpenter, ed., "Traditions in Wood: A History of Wildfowl Decoys in Canada," Altona, Canada, 1987, front dust-jacket cover and p. 94, related carvings illustrated. Bernie Gates, "Ontario Decoys II," Kingston, ON, 1986, p. 99, rigmate illustrated and discussed.

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