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THBThe Mackey Shourds Long-Tail Decoy, Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920)
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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About Auction
LiveFeb 15, 2020
Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, SC 29403 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (533)
- Lot Description
The Mackey Shourds Long-Tail
Harry V. Shourds (1861-1920)
Tuckerton, NJ, c. 1890
13 1/2 in. long
This singular Shourds carving is considered one of the pinnacle gunning decoys to come out of New Jersey. In addition to its sterling condition, its documentation and rarity make it the maker's most distinctive duck decoy. It was first documented in the collections of William J. Mackey Jr. and Quintina Colio. Indeed, this carving was in at least three of Mackey’s public exhibitions and it bears his collection ink stamp three times, one in each of the following colors: red, black, and white. This drake was selected to represent Shourds in Milton Weiler’s 1969 “Classic Decoy Series” folio. Muller acquired this decoy directly from the first Mackey auction in 1973. While in the Muller Collection, it was selected for the Ward Museum’s 1994-1995 "Classic Decoys & Sporting Art" exhibit. Recognizing it as the best of its kind, James R. Doherty illustrated this exact drake, alongside the hen from his collection, in his “Classic New Jersey Decoys” book.
A longtime favorite of Dr. Muller's, this decoy was selected for the collection's ink stamp.
Excellent original paint with light and even gunning wear, minor fill and touch-up at neck crack, and darkening to an old tail chip.
Provenance: Quintina Colio Collection
William J. Mackey Jr. Collection
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the sale of the above, 1973
Literature: James R. Doherty, "Classic New Jersey Decoys," Louisville, KY, 2011, p. 54, pl. 80, 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 576, exact decoy illustrated.
Milton C. Weiler, "The Classic Decoy Series: A Portfolio of Paintings," New York, NY, 1969, pl. 20, exact decoy illustrated.
Sam Dyke et al., “Classic Hunting Decoys & Sporting Art,” Salisbury, MD, 1994, p. 15, 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, cover and p. 10, exact decoy illustrated.
Exhibited: Manhattan, New York, “The Decoy Maker’s Craft,” IBM Gallery of Arts and Sciences, August 29-October 1, 1966.
St. Paul, Minnesota, “American Bird Decoys Selected from the Collection of William J. Mackey Jr.,” St. Paul Art Center, September 28-November 12, 1967.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, “American Bird Decoys Selected from the Collection of William J. Mackey Jr.,” The Paine Art Center and Arboretum, December 2-31, 1967.
Salisbury, Maryland, “Classic Hunting Decoys & Sporting Art,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 20, 1994-January 1, 1995.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.Condition
- Shipping Info
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Copley Fine Art Auctions does not handle the shipping of any items. Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Once your payment has cleared and we have received your authorized shipping release form items may be released for shipment. Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC shall have no liability for any loss or damage to such items. Buyers should allow up to four weeks for shipment. Please email info@copleyart.com for a shipping form. Please be aware that internet bidders may NOT not pick up their items at the sale. Items will be available for pick up by appointment or by shippers five days after the sale.
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