John Dawson The Mackey "dust Jacket" Merganser Hen

John Dawson (1889-1959) Duck Island, NJ, c. 1915 18 in. long

William J. Mackey’s writing reveals that he was particularly fond of this Delaware River maker. The author points out that “Dawson brought several talents into play in constructing remarkably original decoys” and that he “made decoys that collectors will prize for generations to come.” Regarding this decoy and its mate, Mackey notes that the maker “...lavished unusual care on this swift, handsome pair.” Fittingly, the second edition of Mackey’s "American Bird Decoys" features this exact decoy front and center on its “dust jacket’, along with its rigmate and the famous Crowell “Dust Jacket” Plover trio.

The small number of birds from this rig all feature hollow bodies and precise execution, and are among the sleekest carvings by any maker. The form of the hens from this rig are particularly distinguished by their long and upswept crests. True to Mackey’s prophecy, rigmates have been prized by a number of the nation’s top decoy and Americana collectors, including Paul Tudor Jones II, Dr. James McCleery, and Thomas K. Figge. Excellent original paint with minimal wear and very minor touch-up to the top of crest.

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

Literature: William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," 2nd ed., New York, NY, 1987, dust jacket and color pl. V, exact decoy illustrated. William J. Mackey Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, color pl. V, exact decoy illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 69, related hen illustrated.

Provenance

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