Leonard E. Pryor (1876-1967)
Chesapeake City, MD, c. 1930
18 in. long
A rare species for the Upper Bay region exhibiting incised eye and bill detail, and exacting paint. This exemplary Pryor also retains the “L. E. Pryor, Chesapeake City, MD.” stamp on the underside. A Pryor preening mallard set an Upper Bay decoy auction record in 2006, hammering for $67,100. This decoy came from the Pryor Family and was one of the two top lots in the sale. The February 2006 “Potomac Flyer” publication of the Potomac Decoy Collectors Association lauds, “When you get a well carved decoy, direct from the family, in untouched condition, it does not get any better for collectors - especially those with provenance appreciation.”
Excellent original paint with very minimal wear.
Provenance: Leonard Pryor Rig Estate of Carolyn Jo Pryor, by descent from the above Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection,
Literature: "Rare Pryor Preening Hollow-Carved Mallard Sets Upper Bay Record at Eastern Shore Sale," Decoy Magazine, January/February 2006, p. 40, exact decoy illustrated.
The Potomac Decoy Collectors Association, "The Potomac Flyer," Issue # 78, February 2006.
Condition
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