"Masterworks" G.K. Schmidt Rig Pintail Drake Decoy by Charles H. Perdew (1874-1963)

Lot 57

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

The Winter Sale 2024, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

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The Winter Sale 2024, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 23, 2024

Set Reminder 2024-02-23 10:00:00 2024-02-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2024, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2024-day-1-14595 Lots 1-238 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

"Masterworks" G.K. Schmidt Rig Pintail Drake
Charles H. Perdew (1874-1963)
Henry, IL, c. 1928
16 in. long

This exemplary Illinois River pintail showcases the clean lines of Charlie’s carving with his early deep-bodied, three-piece-body construction and the refined elegance of Edna’s very finest scratch comb paint. The attention to detail is sublime, including the delicate curvature of the bill tip. The underside is branded "G.K. SCHMIDT." This famous rig was commissioned by George K. Schmidt (1869-1939), a prominent Chicagoan and the president of the Prudential State Savings Bank. For roughly four decades Schmidt rig decoys resided unused in a bank.

According to decoy author Donna Tonelli, in 1928 Schmidt ordered a mixed rig of ducks from Perdew including twelve pintail, split evenly between hens and drakes. To date only seven of these Schmidt rig pintails have surfaced, making this truly a rare find and a historic contribution to Illinois River duck hunting lore. This drake, with its superb condition, beautifully applied paint, and impeccable historic provenance, ranks among the finest Perdew decoys known to exist.
Excellent original paint with minimal wear.

Provenance: George K. Schmidt Rig
Walter White Collection
Masterworks of the Illinois River Collection

Literature: Stephen B. O’Brien Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 73, exact decoy illustrated.
Donna Tonelli, "Fish and Fowl of the Great Lakes," Atglen, PA, 2002, p. 143, rigmate illustrated.

Exhibited: Salisbury, Maryland, “The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2 - November 13, 2005.

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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