Early Merganser Drake Decoy by Levi Rhodes Truex (1860-1934)

Lot 476

About Seller

65 Sharp Street
Hingham, MA 02043
United States

Copley Fine Art Auctions is the world's leading American sporting art auction company. Located in Hingham, MA, Copley specializes in antique decoys and 19th- and 20th-century American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Principal Stephen O'Brien Jr., a fourth-generation sportsman with a refined colle...Read more

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$25,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000

About Auction

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 2 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 25, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-25 10:00:00 2023-02-25 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2023, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2023-day-2-11942 Lots 338-657 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Early Merganser Drake
Levi Rhodes Truex (1860-1934)
Atlantic City, NJ, c. 1890
17 1/2 in. long

Jim Doherty sought out a rigmate to this decoy for inclusion in his "Classic New Jersey Decoys" book. Of that nearly identical example, the legendary collector and historian noted, "This is the earliest and finest known example of a Rhodes Truex Decoy. Possibly made in his early years when he worked in Tuckerton. World record price for this maker - $37,375." This example is making its auction debut having resided in a private collection.

The hollow body has a high back and thin paddle tail. The refined head has subtle cheeks and a delicate sweeping crest. The underside bears a small "WGG" collector brand and the weight has a rig marking of "EWS."

Very few Truex mergansers exist, making this example with its original crest, bill, and tail all the more desirable.
Original paint with moderate gunning wear, and a possible working wash of white on the underside.

Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, pp. 156-157, rigmate illustrated twice. John Clayton, "Levi Rhodes Truex," Decoy Magazine, Sept/Oct 2012, front cover and p. 25, rigmate illustrated and discussed. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr. "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 131, related examples illustrated.

Condition

Please email condition report requests to colin@copleyart.com. Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.
Shipping Info
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