The Perdew Preening Black Duck Decoy by Charles Perdew (1874-1963)

Lot 200

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 Sporting Sale 2023, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Sporting Sale 2023, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 13, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-07-13 10:00:00 2023-07-13 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2023, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2023-day-1-12989 Lots 1-243 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

The Perdew Preening Black Duck
Charles Perdew (1874-1963)
and Edna Perdew (1882-1974) Henry, IL, c. 1910
15 in. long

This early three-piece preening black duck is a singular decoy with no peers. Indeed, it is rare on several separate accounts, including its early three-piece construction, the preening pose, and as a black duck. The closest Illinois River comparable is an oversized black duck by Robert Elliston held in the Elaine and Alan Haid Collection. Rarity aside, Charlie's sublime preening form was finished with Edna's finest brushwork with embellishments only seen on her earliest work, including brushed-out feathering within the primary delineations.

Earl W. Poggemoeller of Portage des Sioux, Missouri was the first collector to claim this decoy. After his passing in 1984, his birds were sold as "the finest collection of Illinois River decoys to ever come at auction." This standout preener has been celebrated in numerous publications and museum exhibitions since it was acquired at the Poggemoeller sale.
Overall excellent original paint with light gunning wear and some areas of touch-up including right body seam.

Provenance: Earl W. Poggemoeller 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. 67, exact decoy illustrated.
Tandy Lacy, “The Wooden Bird: Heritage Bird Carvers of the Upper Illinois River Valley,” Washburn, IL, 1989, p. 11, exact decoy illustrated.
Zac Zetterberg, ed., “American Decoy: The Invention,” Peoria, IL, 2020, p. 117, exact decoy illustrated.
Jackson Parker, "Fine collection of Illinois River decoys tops Maine auction," Decoy Magazine, Winter 1986, p. 21, Poggemoeller sale discussed.

Exhibited: Salisbury, Maryland, “The Illinois River Meets the Chesapeake,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 2 - November 13, 2005.
Peoria, Illinois, “The Wooden Bird Exhibition,” Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, January 7–February 18, 1990.
Springfield, Illinois, “The Wooden Bird Exhibition,” The Illinois State Museum, March 3–April 22, 1990.
Peoria, Illinois, “American Decoy: The Invention,” Peoria Riverfront Museum, February 9–April 28, 2019.

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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