Martin-Rig Canvasback Hen by The Ward Brothers

Lot 112

About Seller

20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States

Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more

Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,500	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$25,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000

About Auction

The Winter Sale 2025, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2025, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 21, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-02-21 10:00:00 2025-02-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2025, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2025-day-1-17703 Lots 1-261 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

View Full Catalog (261)

Lot Description

Martin-Rig Canvasback Hen
The Ward Brothers
Lemuel T. (1896-1984) and Stephen (1895-1976)
Crisfield, MD, c. 1932
17 in. long

The underside displays the "GLM" brand for the rig of Glenn L. Martin. An early aviation pioneer, Glenn Luther Martin (1886?1955) was fascinated with flight from a young age, building box kites and using sails on everything from ice skates to wagons, and even his bicycle to move faster with less effort. In 1909 Martin built his first of several airplanes. He founded an aircraft company in 1912, which designed bombers for both world wars. Still in business today and now called Lockheed Martin, it is one of the world's largest companies in the aerospace, military, security, and technology industries.

The skill and reputation of Martin as a craftsman appears to have been a motivation for the Wards to create their best work. This Martin-rig canvasback exhibits rarely seen features, including pronounced cheeks, incised bill detail, a ridged back, and a flared paddle tail.

Finding Ward hens in good condition, even with standard features, from this era is incredibly difficult.
Original paint with even gunning wear and restoration to right corner of tail.

Provenance: Glenn L. Martin Rig
Private Collection

Literature: Ronald J. Gard and Brian J. McGrath, "The Ward Brothers' Decoys: A Collector's Guide," Plano, TX, 1989, pl. 13, related pinch-breast presentation pair illustrated.

Condition

Please refer to the description; if you have questions, email colin@copleyart.com.
Shipping Info
- Shipping info
  
  Copley does not offer in-house packing or shipping. For clients who require shipping, please complete the Shipping Release Form and return it with your payment. The form includes a list of shippers we frequently work with.