The Sutton Rig Preening Mallard, Charles H. Perdew (1874-1963)

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The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Jul 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-07-20 10:00:00 2018-07-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2018, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2018-day-2-3302
On July 19, Copley Fine Art Auctions will lead off their annual Sporting Sale with 140 lots from the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Collection of Important American Sporting Art and Decoys. On July 20 Copley will present an additional 425 lots of decoys, fish carvings, and sporting art. Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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• Lot Description
  The Sutton Rig Preening Mallard
  Charles H. Perdew (1874-1963)
  Henry, IL, c. 1947
  13 3/4 in. long
  
  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 certainly desirable among collectors.
  
  This rare preening mallard hen displays Charles Perdew’s best paint in pristine condition. The underside retains a "Henry...Perdew...Ill." lead-strip weight.
  
  Discussing this exact decoy, Illinois River decoy authority Randy Root writes, “It is in unused condition with no repairs. This decoy is from a rig of decoys made for Dr. Charles M. Sutton of Chillicothe and Springfield, IL in 1947. The rig consisted of at least a dozen mallards, a pair of pintails, and a pair of canvasbacks. After returning from World War II Dr. Sutton placed an order with Charles Perdew for the decoys and received them in 1947. Although all the others were used for hunting the sleeper was put on the mantle.”
  
  Further speaking to the quality of the bird, Root writes, "I have been collecting and dealing in decoys since ‘67 and undoubtably this Perdew is the best sleeper carved and painted by Charley. It is better than almost all of the ones painted by Edna.”
  Near mint original paint.
  
  Provenance: Charles M. Sutton Rig, 1947
  Ruth Bayless Collection, acquired c. 1978
  Mark Smith Collection
  
  Literature: Ann Tandy Lacy, "Perdew: An Illinois Tradition," Muncie, IN, 1993, dust jacket cover, related example illustrated.
  Loy S. Harrell, Jr., "Decoys: North America's One Hundred Greatest," Iola, WI, 2000, pp. 164 and 165, related example illustrated.
  Stephen O'Brien and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 81, related example illustrated.

  Condition

  Condition report requests can be made via email or by telephone (info@copleyart.com or 617.536.0030). 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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  • Shipping info

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• Buyer's Premium

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