Pintail Pair by John William Luedtke (1901-1958)

Lot 297

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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The Winter Sale 2024, Day 2 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

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The Winter Sale 2024, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 24, 2024

Set Reminder 2024-02-24 10:00:00 2024-02-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2024, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2024-day-2-14614 Lots 239-480 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Pintail Pair
John William Luedtke (1901-1958)
Stockton, CA, c. 1945
15 1/4 in. long

"The most stylish decoys carved on the Pacific Coast were the pintails made by John Luedtke of Stockon c. 1945." - Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast"

Luedtke was a popular sporting gentleman in his day who was lauded by his peers and the press for his decoys. Despite the fact that he apparently only made one rig of decoys, it is well documented that those that have survived are held in the highest regard by today's collectors and authors. "The most stylish decoys carved on the Pacific Coast," write Miller and Hanson, "were the pintails made by John Luedtke of Stockon c. 1945." Miller continued, "Every collector of California decoys would love to have one. Luedtkes are nearly impossible to come by, however, because their owners aren't about to give them up."

This pair is an exceptional representation of why Luedtke is so prized; each bird has a slightly pinched breast with a thin neck and pronounced cheeks. The full balsa bodies are finished with ridged and upswept tails. Both have refined painted plumage. The undersides are identified and dated.
Excellent original paint with light gunning wear. The drake has a shallow ding on left shoulder, and hen has tight age line in front of neck.

Provenance: Richard and Dorothy Wheeler Collection

Literature: Michael R. Miller, "Wildfowl Decoys of California,” Spokane, WA, 2015, p. 475, exact rig illustrated. Michael R. Miller and Frederick W. Hanson, "Wildfowl Decoys of the Pacific Coast,” Portland, OR, 1989, p. 307, exact rig illustrated.

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.
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