Sleeping Mallard Hen by Charles H. Perdew (1874-1963)

About Auction

Live

The Winter Sale 2016

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 12, 2016 - Feb 13, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-02-12 11:00:00 2016-02-13 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2016 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2016-1233
Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

View Full Catalog (481)

• Lot Description
  Charles H. Perdew (1874-1963)
  Henry, IL, c. 1935
  
  “Of his many styles, Perdew is most revered for his masterful sleepers and preening decoys. Both Robert Elliston and Charles Perdew felt that the presence of sleepers and preeners added a suggested calm to the rig that was more enticing to waterfowl. Whether this actually made any difference to the circling birds is subject to debate; however, the graceful pose inherent in these styles is desirable among collectors.” -Stephen O’Brien, Jr., “Masterworks of the Illinois River”
  
  An exceptional sleeping mallard hen with Charles Perdew’s best paint. Behind the neck is a small metal tube.
  
  This decoy has all the traits one looks for in a premier Illinois River decoy, including elegant form, superb paint, fine craftsmanship, and excellent history having been gunned over by a founding member and past president of Ducks Unlimited, Louis H. Barkhausen.
  
  In “Perdew: An Illinois River Tradition,” author Ann Tandy Lacy discusses this rig: “Further down the river, south of Peoria near Beardstown, one of Illinois’ most highly respected conservationists also hunted over a rig of Perdew decoys. This hunter, Louis H. Barkhausen, was a co-founder in 1937 of Ducks Unlimited, an international organization for the preservation and reclamation of wetlands and waterfowl breeding grounds… Located on the back of each decoy, at the base of the neck, was a small metal tube that had been inserted to leave an opening from the hollow cavity in the body of the decoy to the outside air. This opening appears to be a breathing hole, the theory being that it would allow the decoy to ‘breathe’ and dry evenly on the inside and out. Supposedly this would decrease the chances of its cracking or splitting along the seams where the wood is joined. This breathing hole appears to be unique to the Barkhausen rig of Perdew decoys…”
  
  Provenance: Louis H. Barkhausen Rig
  Private Collection
  
  Literature: Stephen B. O’Brien, Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 81, rigmate illustrated. Frank Maresca and Roger Ricco, "American Vernacular," Boston, MA, 2002, p. 31, similar decoy illustrated. Loy S. Harrell, Jr.,"Decoys: North America's One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, pp. 164 and 165, similar decoy illustrated. Ann Tandy Lacy, "Perdew: An Illinois Tradition," Muncie, IN, 1993, pp. 96-97.

  Condition

  In original paint with very light gunning wear, two very small old drops of paint on the left side, and right side of bill is reset.
• Shipping Info

  • Shipping info

    Copley Fine Art Auctions does not handle the shipping of any items. Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Once your payment has cleared, and we have received your authorized shipping release form items may be released for shipment. Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC shall have no liability for any loss or damage to such items. Buyers should allow up to four weeks for shipment.
     
    PLEASE BE AWARE THAT INTERNET BIDDERS MAY NOT PICK UP THEIR ITEMS AT THE SALE SITE. ITEMS CAN BE PICKED UP BY APPOINTMENT OR SHIPPED STARTING FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE SALE

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	20.00
    $1,000,000	15.00