Mason Decoy Factory Mackey “double-blue” Teal Pair

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1905 12 1/2 in. long

An early premier-grade blue-winged teal pair with snakey head form. The drake flashes the desirable “double blues” paint pattern. Discussing this drake, the Bourne Sessions V & VI catalog reads: "....an outstanding example with all the quality of a Premier decoy." The hen has an “FCB” rig stamp on the bottom. The underside of each is marked with the Mackey ink stamp. In original paint with even gunning wear, traces of touch-up to each bill, and fill to three shot scars on hen.

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

Literature: Dr. S. Lloyd Newberry, "Wings of Wonder: The Remarkable Story of the Cobb Family and the Priceless Decoys They Created on Their Island Paradise," Columbia, SC, 2020, front dust-jacket cover, related rootheads illustrated and p. 232, exact decoy 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 I & II, lot 206, exact decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "Southern Decoys of Virginia and The Carolinas," Exton, PA, 1983, pl. II, p. 33, exact decoy illustrated. Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, front cover and p. 8, exact decoy illustrated. Richard A. Bourne, Inc., “The Roy Bull Decoy Collection,” Hyannis, MA, March 1983, front cover, introduction, and lot 75, related example illustrated. Alexander Hunter, "The Huntsman in the South, Vol. 1, Virginia and North Carolina," New York, NY, 1908, p. 145, Cobb’s brant flock discussed. Sam Dyke, et al., “Classic Hunting Decoys & Sporting Art,” Salisbury, MD, 1994, p. 1, exact decoy illustrated. Loy S. Harrell Jr., "Decoys: North America’s One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, p. 59, related example illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., “Museum News: Mackey Decoy on Exhibit at Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art,” Decoy Magazine, July/August 1994, front cover and pp. 40-41, exhibition coverage.

Exhibited: Salisbury, Maryland, “Classic Hunting Decoys & Sporting Art,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 1994–January 1995.

Provenance

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