Mason Robin Snipe Soars At Frank & Frank Sale

BELMAR, N.J.

:A very rare Mason Decoy Co. factory tack eye Robin Snipe in untouched original paint and fine condition brought a record-setting $11,500 at Frank and Frank Sporting Collectibles sale on March 26.

The decoy, made in Detroit circa 1910, had been purchased from Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City by a couple in the early 1970s for "probably $30-$40 at the time," according to Jon Frank. The tack-eye model was exceptionally well executed with original paint and bar feather work down back and sides. It retained its original nail bill.

The Robin Snipe was the highlight of the spring auction, which Frank said was very successful. "We had several new clients from the West Coast who became buyers," said Frank, who attributed advertising the sale as a factor in attracting the new interest.

The auction was conducted at the Taylor Pavilion on the beachfront, drawing a large crowd, with 145 registered bidders in the gallery, between 400-500 absentee bids and as many as six telephones active at times. "We sold out of our catalogs for the first time," said a gratified Frank.

Featuring about 400 items, mostly decoys, the sale also offered original artwork by G.R. Hardenbergh, A.B. Frost and the Ward Brothers.

Another top seller was a special pintail made for Beatrice Lawrence in 1965 by the L.T Ward Bros of Crisfield, Md. Accompanied by an interesting letter of provenance recounting a tale of gratitude for a pickup load of white pine, the highly detailed preener realized $10,925.

A pintail drake by Jess Heisler (1891-1943) from Burlington, N.J., exhibited good original paint showing some in-use wear to the head area. It was a low-head model, with the bird's bill resting on its chest. Its rig mate could be seen in American Bird Decoys by William Mackey, and it brought $5,060.

Frank pointed out that there was some good artwork offered in the sale as well, including some local Bay Head scenes by Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh, a native of the area. A watercolor by Hardenbergh, a Southern landscape with a large pine with Spanish moss hanging from branches, a pond and foliage sold for $2,415. The image was executed on artist paper and mounted on artist board, but appeared never to have been framed. Its size was 17 5/8 by 10 3/8 inches.

Another watercolor by Hardenbergh possibly depicted the lower Metedeconk River at sunset, a very sharp image of a tranquil river scene. Signed and dated 1903 lower left and measuring 5 by 11 inches, framed and matted, the scene went out at $2,415.

Less tranquil was a Hardenbergh oil on academy board depicting a fighting striped bass in pool of water with angler's hook in its mouth. At 21 by 15 1/2 inches, the crisp battling bass reeled in a buyer for $1,600.

In addition, there were three round watercolor and tempera works by Hardenbergh with image size measuring no more than 7 inches across, and these were of shore birds feeding in placid settings. All from a Bay Head estate, they drew winning bids ranging from $2,530 to $3,450.

Prices reported include 15 percent buyer's premium. For information, www.frankandfrankdecoys.com or 732-938-2988.