james-newman-willis-nc-1907-1951-pair-of-beach-robin
Lot 1047
James Newman Willis (NC, 1907-1951), Pair of Beach Robin
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, circa 1930, carved and painted wood, iron bill, iron stake, loosely mounted to driftwood.

Height 15 in.

From the Personal Collection of Dr. Jack Dudley

James Willis, Jr was the first caretaker for the Atlantic Beach Hotel. He later became mayor of Atlantic Beach. His wife was the postmaster. Although shorebird hunting had long been outlawed, it was still common practice on North Carolina's barrier islands and inland shores. "Hunting shorebirds was like a religion", said his son Hames N. Willis, III. "I can still smell the beach robins on the stove cooking."

Original paint, lightly hit by shot, corrosion to iron elements.