Horace B. Merwin The Merwin Blue-winged Teal Pair

Horace B. Merwin (1888-1947) Westport, CT, c. 1930 11 in. long

“Horace Merwin, a Fairfield banker and wealthy sportsman,” writes Henry Chitwood, “was a friend of [Shang] Wheeler and his most skillful imitator. He made exhibition grade decoys that were almost indistinguishable from Wheelers.” Only a small number of Merwin decoys are known to exist, several of which are featured in Chitwood's Connecticut book and were sold by his descendants two decades ago.

While Wheeler built on the legacy of Albert Lang, Shang's contemporaries Horace Merwin and Lou Rathmell exceeded Wheeler at times, as is evidenced by this Merwin teal pair. Indeed, these are two of the finest Connecticut teal decoys by any maker. Their form and paint represent the pinnacle of the Stratford school style executed by a steady hand, and they remain in excellent condition. The vermiculation treatment is some of the finest seen on any decoy extant. Both undersides are rigged with tear-drop weights and are stenciled with Merwin’s crisp "HM" initials. Exceptional original paint with minimal gunning wear. Drake has a few minute darkened rubs on back. Professionally replaced bill on hen.

Provenance: Merwin Family Collection Private Collection

Literature: Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 115, Merwin decoys illustrated and discussed.

Provenance

Merwin Family Collection Private Collection