Verity Family The Muller Verity Peep Pair

Obediah Verity (1813-1901) Seaford, Long Island, NY, c. 1880 6 3/4 in. long

This exceptional peep pair showcases identical form in two distinct plumages. The first is in a rarely seen darker-backed spring breeding plumage with fine stippling applied. This distinctive decoy can be seen under the title sign in William J. Mackey’s historic IBM exhibition. The lighter rigmate, in winter plumage, features black and red stippling applied to a white body. Both bodies are especially plump and show the maker’s S-curve wing carving.

Dr. Peter Muller put this perfect pair together, with one bird coming from Mackey and the other from Elaine and Alan Haid. Original paint with even gunning wear.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection (decoy in spring plumage) Elaine and Alan Haid Collection (decoy in winter plumage) Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection Private Collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Literature: Hal Sorenson, ed., “IBM Exhibits Mackey Decoys,” Decoy Collector’s Guide, 1966-1967, p. 47, exact decoy in spring plumage illustrated. Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, p. 13, exact decoy in spring plumage illustrated. The Ward Museum, "The Decoys of Long Island," Salisbury, MD, 2010, p. 63, related example illustrated. Robert Shaw and Ronald Gard, "The McCleery Auction," Dallas, TX, 2001, pp. 80 and 136, rigmate illustrated. Frank Schmidt and Gary Guyette, "The Art of Deception: Waterfowl Decoys from the Collection of Paul Tudor Jones II," St. Michaels, MD, 2006, p. 55, related pair illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 43, related example illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 102, pl. 85, related example illustrated.

Exhibited (spring plumage): Manhattan, New York, “The Decoy Maker’s Craft,” IBM Gallery of Arts and Sciences, August 29-October 1, 1966.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection (decoy in spring plumage) Elaine and Alan Haid Collection (decoy in winter plumage) Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection Private Collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts