Bull's Eye, Principle Gallery

Bull's Eye

6" x 18"

oil on panel

sold

The game of darts was made popular in many parts of 

Europe in the late 1800's. 

It soon made it's way to America and was widely popular in 

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 

and New York state.

In tracking down the history of the dart 

that appears in my painting Bull's Eye,

 I know it was made by DECO, Dartboard Equipment Company 

of Philadelphia, PA. It's the first company to form and make darts

and dartboards in America.

I have had a hard time tracking down the exact year 

the company began.

This is what I did learn:

John H. Pearson born in England 1861,

immigrated to Philadelphia, PA in 1873.

While working as a carpet weaver 

he started DECO in Philadelphia.

He later ran it with his son and grandson.

John H. Pearson died in 1932. reference

The company continued on until 1982

when a fire closed down the company. 

Here is a link to a great blog post by 

American Style Darts on DECO.

As you can see by my photo above , my darts

have seen better days but I still think they are 

absolutely wonderful. Their flights are made from

turkey feathers. Their bodies are wood.

Where the steel tips go into their nose,

they are fitted with some sort of weight.
Mine are quite heavy to the tip.

Not sure what year these are from, if anyone knows

anymore information about them please let me know. 

My best guess is that they are from the 1940-1950's

based on the box graphics.

 

detail from Bull's Eye 

Bull's Eye 

will be showing at

Principle Gallery

April Still Life Invitational

208 King Street

Alexandria, VA

703-739-0528

Principle Gallery