Very Rare and Superb Hollow Carved 'Lumberyard' Mortise-Head Yellowlegs from the Greene Collection of Walter Bush, Unknown Maker, late 19th century

decoy superb in every way, paint, form and condition; elegant form with baleen bill and split tail; mortised head; well carved; outstanding paint.

Walter Bush, The Greene Collection
The Staten Island Historical Society

Decoy Magazine, May-June 2001, cover illustration and p.13 (present example)
For a detailed article about the Walter Bush/Greene Collection, see Joe French, "Walter Bush and the Greene Collection," Decoy Magazine, pp.8-13
Harold Sorenson, Decoy Collectors Guide, Burlington, Iowa
Wildfowl Carving and Collecting, circa 1968

touch up to under belly, otherwise appears fine; stand inscribed Greene Collection.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This is the ultimate yellowlegs of the Lumberyard type not only because it is hollow, has a split tail, a baleen bill, is mint, but follows the requisite of belonging in the Greene Collection because it has a mortised removable head.

In the early 1950s, the decoy collection of Walter Bush, Newark, New Jersey, went to the Staten Island Museum. Included was the Greene Collection as labeled by Bush. Of the ten shorebirds, nine were by the same, still unknown, carver with this yellowlegs being the only other one to share the honor. Through the museum and Mrs. Walter Bush, Joe French chose three, a willet, the yellowlegs and a plover (which sold for over $100,000 at a recent auction).

Similar slip-neck construction is found on lot 437, The James McCleery sale at Sotheby's, sale 7419, January 22-23, 2001.