Alvirah Wright (NC, 1872-1951), Bluebill

Duck, North Carolina, circa 1900, carved and painted wood, V groove with iron spike weight, incised B and Carl Hiatt's collection stamp.
Length 13 in.
Wright is widely considered one of the top five decoy makers from North Carolina. This bluebill has an extremely well carved head and features an iron spike ballast recessed into a carved grove. It is believed the head is original to the body but it has been off and reattached to the neck shelf giving it a slight turn the left.
Former collection of Carl Hiatt, Wilmington, North Carolina. Carl collected this decoy in the early 1960s.
From the hunting rig of Napoleon Bonaparte Etheridge (1862-1959). Etheridge was a career veteran of the United States Life Saving Stations and served at several locations in the northern Outer Banks. His last assignment was as the caretaker of the Caffey's Inlet Life Boat Station until he retired in 1927. He had a known rig of Alvirah Wright decoys which are identified with his incised B.

Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Original paint worn to bare wood in places, age check down with right side, the head has been off and reattached.