Daniel Lake Leeds Swimming Red-breasted Merganser Pair

Daniel Lake Leeds (1852-1922) Pleasantville, NJ, c. 1890 19 1/4 in. long

William J. Mackey Jr. comments on the discovery of a Leeds shorebird gunning rig:

"It was probably the greatest single find of its kind in New Jersey decoy history. The Dan Leeds birds have a stylized exaggeration that has an artistic appeal...[He] lavished great care on his decoys during their years of service. They stand on their own unique merit and have little in common with their New Jersey contemporaries." "Classic Shorebird Decoys," 1971

This iconic pair of hollow swimming mergansers features a drake with a horsehair crest. Birds from the rig were subsequently acquired by Bud Ward, Jim Cook, Old Hope Antiques, and Dr. Muller. Made by Garden State master Daniel Lake Leeds, whose birds rank in quality with Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920) and Nathan R. Horner (1882-1942). Jim Doherty selected only carvings by these three makers for his front dust-jacket cover of "Classic New Jersey Decoys." Of this carving triumvirate, the senior member’s decoys are by far the most rare. This animated pair was carved in a swimming position with sleek hollow bodies. Each was finished with Leeds' signature richly-blended paint patterns.

Dr. Muller acquired the drake privately in 1976. Fifteen years later, he seized the opportunity to acquire the hen and reunite the pair. One closely related pair is known and resides in a prominent Midwestern collection. This offering represents a rare opportunity to obtain two New Jersey masterworks that rank among the finest of the species from any region. Original paint with minimal gunning wear.

Provenance: Fred Ellenberg Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, drake acquired from Ray Egan, 1976 Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, hen acquired from Collectable Old Decoys, 1991

Literature: Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, p. 12, exact decoy illustrated. James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, pp. 44-48, Shourds mergansers illustrated, pp. 102-103, Horner mergansers illustrated, front dust-jacket cover, Leeds, Horner, and Shourds decoys illustrated. Milton C. Weiler and William J. Mackey Jr., "Classic Shorebird Decoys: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1971, pl. 11, Mackey quote.

Provenance

Fred Ellenberg Collection Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, drake acquired from Ray Egan, 1976 Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, hen acquired from Collectable Old Decoys, 1991