Wild Turkey Print (Wild Turkey Bourbon Series)
Offset lithographic print on paper • Ken Davies (American, born 1925)
Style & Movement
Photorealistic Wildlife Illustration / Trompe l’Oeil
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography; high-detail reproduction of a trompe l’oeil painting
Creation Period
Late 20th Century, likely 1970s-1980s
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 20 x 24 inches for the overall piece; portrait orientation printed on a larger white border with decorative trim.
Subject Description
A close-up, dynamic view of a wild turkey head and tail feathers against a blue sky background with skeletal tree branches. The imagery is famously associated with the Wild Turkey Bourbon brand campaigns.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible texture suggests the print may be on a textured paper or embossed to mimic canvas.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $250 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Likely a high-end promotional or limited edition print distributed through sporting galleries or as branding for the Austin Nichols distillery. Private collection.
Art Historical Significance
Ken Davies is a master of American trompe l’oeil. His work for Wild Turkey Bourbon is culturally iconic, bridging the gap between fine art realism and commercial branding in the mid-century.
Notable Features
Features the vertical signature of 'Ken Davies' on the right-hand side. The print quality captures the fine details of the caruncles on the turkey's neck and the specific feather patterns typical of Davies' fastidious style.
Condition Issues
Possible minor fading due to UV exposure; surface texture appears intact but edges may have minor mounting wear hidden by the matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Display under UV-filtering glass and use acid-free archival matting to prevent yellowing and light damage.