Canvasback Drake, The Ward Brothers

Lot 35

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

Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,500	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$25,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000

About Auction

The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 19, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-07-19 13:00:00 2018-07-19 13:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2018-day-1-3286 On July 19, Copley Fine Art Auctions will lead off their annual Sporting Sale with 140 lots from the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys. On July 20 Copley will present an additional 425 lots of decoys, fish carvings, and sporting art. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

View Full Catalog (140)

Lot Description

Canvasback Drake
The Ward Brothers
Lemuel T. (1896-1983) and Stephen (1895-1976) Crisfield, MD, c. 1932 16 1/2 in. long

Inscribed on the bottom " L.T. Ward - Bro., Crisfield, Md, Lem - Steve Ward, 1932." This decoy is a rigmate to the previous lot.

This superb example has a turned head and exceptionally flared bill. Of the highly coveted 1936 model canvasbacks the Wards produced, it is rare to find one with its original bill intact as the long and delicate bills were prone to breakage. The full body, refined head carving, exceptional paint, and provenance place this decoy among the finest drakes known.
Original paint with even gunning wear, some flaking and touch-up around neck putty, and a minor repair to left edge of tail.

Provenance: Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Collection

Literature: Byron Cheever, "Ward Bros.," Heber City, UT, 1966, pictorial insert, pl. 6, similar decoy illustrated.
Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX,1989, p. 18, pl. 15, similar decoy illustrated.
Robert H. Boyle, “The Art of Deception,” Audubon Magazine, May/June 2002, p. 48, no. 10, exact decoy illustrated.
Laurence Sheehan, "The Sporting Life," New York, NY, 1992, p. 80, exact decoy illustrated.
Laurence Sheehan, "The Birding Life," New York, NY, 2011, p. 95, exact decoy 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
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