Don Balke (B. 1933) "Southeastern Pocket Gopher"

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Fine Art, Old Masters & Antiques

By Helmuth Stone Gallery

Feb 27, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-02-27 13:00:00 2022-02-27 13:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Art, Old Masters & Antiques https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/helmuth-stone-gallery/fine-art-old-masters-antiques-8901
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• Lot Description
  Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Southeastern Pocket Gopher" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board.
  
  Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
  
  This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood commemorative cover for Balke's Baby Wildlife of the 50 States, postmarked May 23, 1984.
  
  In a deep underground nest, the mother Pocket Gopher gives birth to a litter of one to four tiny babies in the Spring. Born naked, blind and toothless, these little brown creatures are native to the Southeastern United States. About a month after birth, the babies' eyes open and soon the youngsters will be ready to leave the nest. Solitary in their lifestyle, Pocket Gophers are notorious for loud arguments amongst themselves, for grouchy dispositions, and for their preference for darkness and deep underground chambers. Burrowing through some two or three hundred feet of dirt in a night, they may pull plants down with them, storing the food in special fur-lined pouches in their cheeks. Hence, the name "Pocket Gopher." Each Gopher in the litter will eventually dig his own burrow and, in areas where food is plentiful, large populations will accumulate, often causing widespread damage to crops. In these situations, the animal is detested by man. Gophers have also been accused of causing erosion of the soil by their incessant burrowing habits. On the other hand, the Gopher has been known to readily make friends with man, sometimes visiting campsites and rural homes searching for food and friendship. The Pocket Gopher's humorous "buck" teeth and a "begging" posture have captured the hearts of many people. But generally, these nocturnal creatures prefer to build their dark underground homes away from prying people, intruding civilization, and other animals.
  
  Image Size: 11.25 x 12.75 in.
  Overall Size: 18 x 20 in.
  Unframed.
  (B08747)

  Condition

  
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