Harold Haertel The Mackey-haertel Hooded Merganser Pair

Harold Haertel (1904-1995) Dundee, IL, 1963 13 in. long

These two decoys were gifted with the inscription on the bottom: "To Bill Mackey from Harold Haertel, 1963." This forward-preening hen and a slightly turned-head drake represent two of the most important Haertel decoys to ever come on the market.

In his pioneer decoy collecting book, Mackey writes in his last chapter, "The unsung folk art of decoy making has survived with all its traditions and has passed into a fresh phase in the work of eminent contemporary carvers as Lloyd Johnson and Harold Haertel of Dundee, IL..." In the same volume, he includes a Haertel carving, the only contemporary bird in the book. In its caption, he writes, "Proud owners of his work float them on mantles, and wildfowl never see them." The accolades continue in Quintina Colio's "American Decoys," dedicated to Mackey. Excellent original paint with minimal wear.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts Private Collection, Florida

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Collection of the Late William J. Mackey Jr.," Hyannis, MA, July 10, 1974, lot 585, exact decoys illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2012," New York, NY, January 16, 2012, lot 142, exact decoys illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, pp. 193 and 248, Haertel discussed.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts Private Collection, Florida