Black Duck, Louis C. Rathmell (1898-1974)

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Live

The Winter Sale 2019

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 16, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-02-16 10:00:00 2019-02-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2019 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2019-3820
The sale will offer the opportunity to view and take home world-class paintings and fine bird carvings. Featuring selections from the collections of Alfred Ely, L. H. LaMonte, Grant Nelson, Ronald S. Swanson, Herb Wetanson, and a descendant of Chester F. Spear among others. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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• Lot Description
  Black Duck
  Louis C. Rathmell (1898-1974)
  Danbury, CT, 1941
  17 3/4 in. long
  
  According to Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. “Rathmell was probably the best hunter of those who hunted the Stratford marshes. He not only made beautiful decoys, but stood alone as a wing shot and duck caller. His presence in the marsh was feared by the other hunters.” O’Brien continues, “When I showed Bill Mackey and Adele Earnest these decoys, they thought they were Shang Wheeler’s.” As the two makers’ carvings were virtually indistinguishable, Rathmell’s were often sold as Wheeler’s. O’Brien explains, “Rathmell was the most unappreciated of the Stratford carvers. A shame, because he was a great maker.”
  
  The maker’s refined head carving, dynamic poses, and exceptional scratch and feather paint place him in the ranks of Stratford’s finest carvers, alongside Charles E. “Shang” Wheeler. Rathmell’s 1941 rig of cork black ducks from which this decoy hails from is referred to by Shang author Dixon Merkt as: “...one of the best gunning rigs ever made.”
  
  The decoy is signed and dated by the maker with his impressed lead weight. An oval “CHITWOOD” collection stamp is also on the bottom. Second coat of competition-grade paint on the body with minimal wear.
  
  Provenance: Louis Rathmell Rig
  Henry C. Chitwood Collection
  Herb Wetanson Collection, acquired from the above
  
  Literature: Henry C. Chitwood, "Connecticut Decoys," West Chester, PA, 1987, p. 98, related decoy illustrated.
  Cliff Alexander, "Lou Rathmell: A Decoy Maker Who Lived in a Castle," Decoy Magazine, November/December 2015, p. 25 and front cover, rigmates illustrated.

  Condition

  Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). 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

  • Shipping info

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