The Ward Brothers
Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976)
Crisfield, MD, 1945 16 1/2 in. long
A superb turned-head gunning decoy, this mallard drake is featured on Jack R. Schroeder's 1981 Ward Bros. Series print, a framed copy of which is included with this lot. The print features a poem titled "Time To Quit" written by Lem Ward. The print is signed by both Lem and Schroeder. The balsa mallard's underside bears the date "1945," the signature of Lem Ward, and Schroeder's signature and inscription "Model for Plate IV of my Ward Bros. Series Paintings." The blended coloring on the back and speculums of this bird is noteworthy.
Excellent original paint with even gunning wear and slight blunt to right edge of tail.
Provenance: Dr. Morton D. Kramer Collection, acquired in Easton, Maryland in 1980 from a gentleman collector from Ocean City, Maryland
Literature: Bob Ridges, "Decoy Ducks," New York, NY, 1988, pp. 33 and 157, exact decoy illustrated.
Glenn Lawson, "The Story of Lem Ward," West Chester, PA, 1984, pp. 23 and 117, exact decoy illustrated.
Condition
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