Havre de Grace, Maryland, circa 1850, carved and painted wood, incised H under the tail, illegible brand.

Length 13.5 in.

The classic 1853 book Sporting Anecdots by John Krider lists John Holly as one of the most highly respected duck hunters from Havre de Grace. One the day Krider went to Havre de Grace to hunt ducks and he reported that Holly killed 119 canvasbacks near Devil`s Island. Daddy Holly was a market gunner and his decoys are historically and artistically important.

Old gunning paint with moderate wear, tight and stable crack in neck and on front chest.