Levi Rhodes Truex Mackey-truex Merganser Pair

Levi Rhodes Truex (1860-1934) Atlantic City, NJ, c. 1900 18 in. long

An early pair of hollow mergansers originally collected by famed decoy historian and collector William J. Mackey Jr. The form, paint, condition, and provenance of this pair place them among the maker's finest works. The underside of each is marked with the Mackey collection ink stamp. Original paint with minor gunning wear.

Provenance: William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection

Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, 1973, Session IV, lot 82, exact drake illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, 1973, Session III, lot 165, exact hen listed. Jack W. Conover III, "Levi Rhodes Truex, the ‘Yogagger Decoy Maker,’" Decoy Collector's Guide, 1977, p. 80, closely related pair illustrated in color. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Sporting Sale 2011," Plymouth, MA, lot 275, related drake illustrated.

Provenance

William J. Mackey Jr. Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection