Ned Burgess (NC, 1868-1958), Published Widgeon, Mose White Rig

Churches Island, North Carolina, circa 1940, carved and painted wood, published on page 168 of Gunnin' Birds by Kroghie Andresen.

Length 16 in.

From the Personal Collection of Mr. Kroghie Andresen Charlotte, North Carolina

Purchased from Ed Johnston in 1984.
Former collection of Jim Gibson.

The Burgess widgeon is the smallest of his puddle ducks. This example has an elaborate art deco style paint application.
Mose White had a lumber mill in South Mills, North Carolina, near Currituck Sound. Ned Burgess would trade him finished decoys for wood to carve. Mose White used them only once or twice and stored them in a shed behind his house. The Mose White rig represents one of the largest group of almost mint condition Burgess decoys to surface.

Original paint with light gunning wear.