John Austin (NC, 1891-1981), Bluebill

Corolla, North Carolina, circa 1940s, carved and painted wood.

Length 16 in.

John Austin was born in Hatteras but moved to Corolla as an infant and spent his life there. He spent his childhood days in Corolla Village and became a market hunter at an early age. He sold waterfowl to buyers aboard the steamship Comet. He served our country in World War I and upon his return he became a commercial fisherman and hunting guide. He became the postmaster of Corolla in 1935. Austin made several styles of redheads during his lifetime.

Old gunning paint, tight and stable cracks on head and neck, body has distorted wood on bottom right with missing wood beneath tail, hit by shot, marked with Joe Pacini collection stamp.