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THBThe Mackey-Muller Shourds Merganser Decoy by Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920)
About Seller
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States
Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJul 13, 2023
Lots 1-243 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (243)
- Lot Description
The Mackey-Muller Shourds Merganser
Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920)
Tuckerton, NJ, c. 1890
15 3/4 in. long
“Shourds is one of the acknowledged master makers of New Jersey decoys. His birds were as fine as any made in the state and are prized collectors items today.” — Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., “New Jersey Decoys,” 1983
Mackey, who was the greatest Shourds specialist of all time, fully understood his good fortune in the discovery of this pristine bird, documenting its history with meticulous penmanship on the bottom.
Though master carver Harry V. Shourds likely made dozens of merganser decoys, most were heavily gunned over more than a century ago, resulting in the vast majority of his surviving works having condition issues. The refined bills and tails along with the pronounced crests that Shourds created often led to extensive damage. Shourds’ delicate white paint was often repainted, particularly on the underside. In contrast, this pinnacle work has all-original construction and exemplary all-original translucent white paint.
Not only one of the finest Shourds decoys known to exist, this is one of the most iconic decoys from the Mid-Atlantic region. The condition of this decoy alone separates it from the rest of the pack, and Mackey’s collector’s notes and Muller’s ink stamp cement its history.
Excellent original paint with light even gunning wear.
Provenance: Boots Mathis Rig
William J. Mackey Jr. Collection
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection
Thomas M. Evans Jr. Collection
Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 48, exact decoy illustrated. Copley Fine Art Auctions, "The Winter Sale 2020," Charleston, SC, February 15, 2020, lot 12, exact decoy illustrated. Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, dust jacket, Shourds mergansers 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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Copley does not offer in-house packing or shipping. For clients who require shipping, please complete the Shipping Release Form and return it with your payment. The form includes a list of shippers we frequently work with.
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