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THBThe Hunter Blair Mallard Pair by John Blair Sr. (1842-1928)
Lot 82
About Seller
Copley Fine Art Auctions
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
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
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About Auction
Live
By Copley Fine Art Auctions
Jul 10, 2025
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2025-07-10 10:00:00
2025-07-10 10:00:00
America/New_York
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Bidsquare : The Sporting Sale 2025, Day 1
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-sporting-sale-2025-day-1-19844
Lots 1-316 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
Lots 1-316 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (315)
- Lot Description
The Hunter Blair Mallard Pair
John Blair Sr. (1842-1928)
Philadelphia, PA, c. 1870
16 1/2 in. long
"John Blair's work at its very finest." - Henry Fleckenstein Jr., discussing this exact pair in "New Jersey Decoys"
An outstanding and exceedingly rare matched hollow pair of Philadelphia mallards with reared-back heads. These well-documented mallards have hollow bodies with two construction dowels in each. The birds were originally owned and gunned over by Joseph Chandler Roach (1847-1888) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later collected by noted decoy collectors Jack Conover and Charlie Hunter.
The birds feature raised neck shelves, which are associated with Blair's best work. Meticulously crafted with delicate and accurate bill carving, full cheeks, and boldly carved bodies, this pair, along with the McCleery swimmers, represents the high-water mark for the maker. Each is finished with the region's best paint, which Blair is renowned for showcasing. Both are branded "CHANDLER ROACH" on their underside and retain several collectors' tags and markings.
Original paint with minor flaking which is slightly darkened, and small chip from left side of hen's tail.
Provenance: Chandler Roach Rig
Jack Conover Collection
Charles Hunter Collection
Jeff and Joyce Hay Collection
Literature: Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., "New Jersey Decoys," Exton, PA, 1983, p. 49, pl. 37, exact decoys illustrated. Harrison Huster and Doug Knight, "Floating Sculpture: The Decoys of the Delaware River," Spanish Fork, UT, 1982, p. 147, exact decoys illustrated.Please refer to the description; if you have additional questions, email colin@copleyart.com.Condition
- Shipping Info
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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.
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