PEMBROKE, MASS. — Copley Fine Art Auctions’ Winter Sale, conducted February 20-21, was headlined by the Robert S. Doochin collection of sporting, wildlife and Western art, with curated additions from other estates and collections. The two-day, 638-lot sale realize a company record of $5.8 million, setting new records across multiple categories. Leading the charge was a significant painting by Aiden Lassell Ripley (1896-1969) that came from the Doochin collection. Done in oil on canvas in 1947, “The Pond Cover” was signed and dated to the lower left as well as being signed, titled and dated on the reverse. According to the catalog, “‘The Pond Cover’ is a pinnacle work by Ripley in every sense, with the hunters, dogs, bird and barn blending seamlessly into the bright, crisp fall landscape.” Despite its $60/90,000 estimate, determined bidders pushed the 27¼-by-40-inch work to $1292,000, including buyer’s premium. Additional highlights from the sale will be featured in an upcoming issue.
