Harold Haertel Hooded Merganser Pair

Harold Haertel (1904-1995) Dundee, IL, 1963 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, "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." Near mint original condition.

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

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Collection of the Late William J. Mackey, Jr.," Hyannis, MA, July 10, 1974, lot 585, exact decoys illustrated. William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, p. 248.

Provenance

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