Sale 1258 — The Richie Prager Collection of United States Hunting Permits
Sale Date — Tuesday, 14 June, 2022
Category — Duck Stamp Prints from Winning Artists, 1934-2021
1934, Mallards Dropping In, First Edition (RW1). Etching, design size 216 x 149mm on 270 x 213mm paper, pencil manuscript "Design for first Federal 'Duck Stamp' - 1934" and signed Ding Darling, exceptionally freshEXTREMELY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL SIGNED PRINT OF THE FIRST FEDERAL HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE DESIGN.
There were actually two editions of this print, as the plate was re-surfaced several years after it was initially created and additional prints were made (second edition, or second state). Both editions are very scarce. In fact, the often quoted number of 300 total printed may well be overstated. A letter from Darling in the the William Webster collection stated that fewer than 100 first edition prints were made before the plate wore out (see waterfowlstampsandmore.com for a full commentary on the 1934 prints).
Stearns and Fink value $6,000.00.
1934, Mallards Dropping In, First Edition (RW1). Etching, design size 216 x 149mm, mounted and framed with RW1 stamp below, pencil manuscript "Design for first Federal 'Duck Stamp' - 1934" and signed Ding DarlingVERY FINE. A FRESH AND HIGH-QUALITY SIGNED PRINT OF THE FIRST FEDERAL HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE DESIGN.
There were actually two editions of this print, as the plate was re-surfaced several years after it was initially created and additional prints were made (second edition, or second state). Both editions are very scarce. In fact, the often quoted number of 300 total printed may well be overstated. A letter from Darling in the the William Webster collection stated that fewer than 100 first edition prints were made before the plate wore out (see waterfowlstampsandmore.com for a full commentary on the 1934 prints).
Stearns and Fink value $6,000.00
1935, Canvasbacks Taking to Flight (RW2). Etching, signed Frank W. Benson in pencil at bottom left, image area 125 x 75mm, mounted and framed with signed stamp below, beautiful and fresh (scan shows some reflection from glass)VERY FINE AND RARE SIGNED PRINT OF THE SECOND FEDERAL HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE DESIGN.
This was produced as an unnumbered edition of 100 and is the rarest design-different Duck Stamp print. We have offered only a handful of examples over the years, and all but one had condition problems.
Stearns and Fink value $9,500.00.
1936, Canada Geese in Flight, or "Coming In" (RW3). Etching, signed Richard E. Bishop in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp Design" in pencil at bottom left, "Richard E. Bishop C" copyright notation at bottom of image which is 205 x 125mm, paper size 250 x 186mm, fresh and Very Fine, Stearns and Fink value $1,800.00
1937, Scaup Ducks Taking to Flight (RW4). Print with printed copyright notice at top left and "Edition limited to 260 Proofs", signed J D Knap in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp - 1937" in pencil at bottom left, image area 218 x 145mm, paper size 280 x 212mm, prior mounting adherences in margins, otherwise Very Fine and scarce, the artist would later suffer a stroke and would then use block printing, Stearns and Fink value $3,000.00
1938, Pintail Drake and Hen Alighting (RW5). Etching, signed Roland Clark in pencil with "Duck Stamp Design 1938" in pencil at bottom left and "Eagle" at bottom right, image area 275 x 175mm, paper size 365 x 268mm, small repair in bottom left margin and some prior mounting thinning in left margin, neither is particularly noticeable from the front, still Very Fine and rare, possibly 300 issued, Stearns and Fink value $3,800.00
1940, Black Mallards, First Edition (RW7). Lithograph, signed F. L. Jaques in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp Design 1940" in pencil at bottom left, image area 276 x 218mm, paper size 341 x 300mm, bright and pristineEXTREMELY FINE. THE FINER OF ONLY TWO FIRST EDITION PRINTS OF THE 1940 FRANCIS LEE JAQUES FEDERAL DUCK STAMP DESIGN WE HAVE OFFERED. ONLY APPROXIMATELY 30 WERE PRODUCED, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE RAREST DUCK PRINTS.
The 1940 first and second edition prints are extremely rare, with approximately 30 of each produced. The first edition is of course the most desirable as the earliest edition. There were a total of three editions, each represented in the Prager collection. The differences between the three are found in the top wing of the right duck, where it meets the body.
This is one of only two examples we have offered since keeping computerized records. The other was part of the William Webster collection (Sale 1121, lot 2063). It was also fresh but had a rectangular cut-out at the bottom.
Stearns and Fink value $15,000.00
1940, Black Mallards, Second Edition (RW7). Lithograph, signed F. L. Jaques in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp Design 1940" in pencil at bottom left, image area 276 x 218mm, paper size 303 x 272mm, faint outline outside designVERY FINE AND VERY RARE SECOND EDITION PRINT OF THE 1940 FRANCIS LEE JAQUES FEDERAL DUCK STAMP DESIGN. ONLY APPROXIMATELY 30 WERE PRODUCED,
The 1940 first and second edition prints are extremely rare, with approximately 30 of each produced. There were a total of three editions. The differences between the three are found in the top wing of the right duck, where it meets the body.
Stearns and Fink value $8,000.00
1940, Black Mallards, Third Edition (RW7). Lithograph, signed F. L. Jaques in pencil, image area 276 x 215mm, paper size 403 x 270mm, some very faint yellowing along top edge from prior mounting, Very Fine, approximately 200 were produced, the differences between the three editions of the 1940 prints are found in the top wing of the right duck, where it meets the body, Stearns and Fink value $4,000.00
1941, Family of Ruddy Ducks, First and Second Editions (RW8). Etchings, first edition with ducks swimming right to left (mirror of the issued design and the second edition print), signed E. R. Kalmbach in pencil with "Duck Stamp Design, 1941" in pencil at bottom left, image area 223 x 166mm, paper size 318 x 265mm, second edition with ducks swimming left to right as on the stamp, image area 229 x 181mm, signed E. R. Kalmbach in pencil at bottom right and "Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp 1941-42" in pencil at bottom left, bright and freshVERY FINE PAIR OF PRINTS. THE FIRST EDITION 1941 FEDERAL HUNTING PERMIT PRINT, WITH DUCKS SWIMMING RIGHT TO LEFT, IS EXTREMELY RARE.
It is reported that approximately 100 of each edition were printed, but we suspect the first edition is much rarer than that information indicates.
Combined Stearns and Fink value $6,500.00
1942, American Widgeon, First Edition (RW9). Etching, signed A. Lassell Ripley in pencil with "American Widgeon" in pencil at bottom left, image area 215 x 150mm, 23mm margins all around, bright and fresh, Very Fine, Stearns and Fink value $1,800.00
1943, Wood Ducks, Second Edition (RW10). First state of the second edition etching without "II", signed Walter E. Bohl in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp Design - 1943" in pencil at bottom left, image area 173 x 125mm, mounted and framed with stamp below (scan shows reflection from the glass), Very Fine, both the first edition and the second edition (first state) of this print are very scarce, Stearns and Fink value $750.00
1945, Shoveller Ducks in Flight (RW12). Print, signed Owen J. Gromme in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp Design 1945" in pencil at bottom left and "10" print no. at far bottom left, image area 178 x 128mm on paper measuring 250 x 198mm, printed "Copyright 1945 by The F. H. Bresler Co., Milwaukee" at top left, absolutely pristineEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1945 FEDERAL DUCK STAMP PRINT AND RARE IN A SIZE SHOWING THE NUMBER.
The Stearns and Fink album notes that this print is "possibly" numbered but that the numbering could be cut away or covered. The examples in this sale with "9" and "10" (of 250) and another example with "146" from the William Webster collection demonstrate that they were numbered. This is noted by Stearns and Fink as the second most difficult print to obtain.
Stearns and Fink value $7,000.00.
1945, Shoveller Ducks in Flight (RW12). Print, signed Owen J. Gromme in pencil with "Federal Duck Stamp Design 1945" in pencil at bottom left and "9" print no. at far bottom left, image area 178 x 128mm on paper measuring 250 x 200mm, printed "Copyright 1945 by The F.H. Bresler Co., Milwaukee" at top left, some mounting tape remnants on back at topEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1945 FEDERAL DUCK STAMP PRINT AND RARE IN A SIZE SHOWING THE NUMBER.
The Stearns and Fink album notes that this print is "possibly" numbered but that the numbering could be cut away or covered. The examples in this sale with "9" and "10" (of 250) and another example with "146" from the William Webster collection demonstrates that they were numbered. This is noted by Stearns and Fink as the second most difficult print to obtain.
Stearns and Fink value $7,000.00.
1946, Redhead Ducks, First Edition (RW13). Lithograph, signed Bob Hines in pencil at bottom with "1946", also "Redheads" and A-76 number at bottom left, design size 278 x 205mm, 23mm margins all around, Extremely Fine, only approximately 300 were issued, Stearns and Fink value $1,800.00, accompanied by an artist signed RW13 stamp
1947, Snow Geese, First Edition (RW14). Print, signed Jack Murray 1947 in pencil with "From Beyond the North Wind" in pencil at bottom left, image area 290 x 205mm, paper size 375 x 290mm, some minor mounting adherence along edges on back at bottom left outside the design, Very Fine and scarce, only 300 were issued and no further editions were printed, Stearns and Fink value $2,700.00
1948, Buffleheads in Flight, First Edition (RW15). Lithograph, signed Maynard Reece in pencil with "Duck Stamp Design - 1948" in pencil at bottom left, image area 234 x 171mm, paper size 306 x 280mm, pristine and Extremely Fine, scarce with only 200 printed, Stearns and Fink value $2,000.00
1950, Trumpeter Swans in Flight, First Edition (RW17). Print, signed Walter A. Weber at bottom right with "Duck Stamp Design 1950" at bottom left, both in pen, design size 178 x 127mm on 256 x 201mm paper, printed "Copyright 1950 Walter A. Weber" at top left, fresh and Very Fine, while this was reportedly printed in a quantity of 500, only approximately 250 were signed and the balance was lost, Stearns and Fink value $1,900.00
1951, Gadwall Ducks, First Edition (RW18). Lithograph, signed Maynard Reece in pencil with "Duck Stamp Design - 1951" at bottom left, design size 232 x 170mm on 286 x 220mm paper, Extremely Fine, only 250 of the first edition were printed (the second edition prints have a "2nd" notation), Stearns and Fink Value $2,000.00
1952, Harlequin Ducks, First Edition (RW19). Lithograph, signed John H. Dick in pen at bottom right and "Duck Stamp Design 1952" at bottom left, image size 238 x 182mm, the edges of the paper with some adherences from prior mounting but well clear of design, Very Fine and rare, it is not known with certainty how many of the first edition were printed (the artist estimated only 250), Stearns and Fink value $2,700.00
1959, Labrador Carrying Mallard Drake, First Edition (RW26). Lithograph, signed Maynard Reece in pencil at bottom right and "Duck Stamp Design -- 1959 1st Edition" in pencil at bottom left, image size 231 x 168mm, matted and framed with stamp below (scan shows reflection from glass), absolutely pristine without a hint of aging or spottingVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST EDITION 1959 LABRADOR RETRIEVER DUCK STAMP PRINT -- ARGUABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND CERTAINLY THE MOST POPULAR DESIGN OF THE DUCK STAMP SERIES.
The Labrador retriever depicted on the 1959 issue was named King Buck and was a national champion dog. This is the only Duck Stamp issue to depict a dog as its central theme. Four editions of this print were issued, the first three differentiated mainly by the reeds to the left of the duck in King Buck's mouth. The First edition is the most desirable though all editions are in high demand due to the popularity of the design.
Stearns and Fink value $6,000.00
1948, 1951, 1959, 1969, 1971 Duck Stamp Prints, Maynard Reece Limited Edition (RW15, RW18, RW26, RW36, RW38). Five prints from the Limited Edition set released by artist Maynard Reece, each numbered 23/125, all remarqued and signed and also accompanied by a signed stamp, in original folders and box, Extremely Fine, as the only five-time winner of the competition Reece is by far the most prolific artist in the history of the Federal Duck Stamp program
1970, Ross' Geese, First Edition Remarqued (RW37). Multicolored lithograph, signed Edward J. Bierly in pencil with "221/300 Ross' Geese" in pencil at left, image area 250 x 175mm, matted and with unused stamp below, neat pair of ducks pencil remarque next to Bierly's signature, Extremely Fine, only 300 First editions were remarqued, Stearns and Fink value $3,750.00
1971, Cinnamon Teal, First Edition (RW38). Hand-colored lithograph, signed Maynard Reece in pencil with "600/950 Duck Stamp Design - 1971 - 1st Ed." in pencil at left, image area 230 x 165mm, neatly matted with signed unused stamp below, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, this issue represents the fifth and final win for the illustrious Maynard Reece, this is one of the most beautiful duck prints ever produced and is a fitting tribute to Reece, Stearns and Fink value $5,200.00
1973, Steller's Eiders, First Edition Remarqued (RW40). Multicolored print, signed Lee LeBlanc in pencil with no. "516/1000", lovely pencil remarque at bottom, full size with large margins in original folder, fresh and Extremely Fine, Stearns and Fink value $2,800.00
1975, Canvasback Decoy, First Edition Remarqued (RW42). Multicolored print, signed James P. Fisher in pencil and numbered "640/3150" with additional signature and unused signed stamp, beautiful pencil remarque of ducks skipping on water, full size with large margins in original folder, Extremely Fine, this is the first and only Duck Stamp design to depict a decoy, subsequent rules required a living waterfowl as the primary design, Stearns and Fink value $1,600.00
1980, Mallards, Artist Proof Edition Remarqued (RW47). Multicolored print, signed Richard Plasschaert with "119/250 Artist Proof" in pencil, also with beautiful multicolor painted remarque initialed by the artist, full size and in original folder, Extremely Fine and rare, the regular edition of this print was numbered 1-12,950 (an example is included in this lot, numbered 26), this artist's edition was not sold according to the Stearns and Fink book (and is also unpriced), we are not aware if the others from the artist's edition have the painted remarque but this is certainly a beautiful and rare print
1938-2014 Hunting Permits, Artist Prints (RW5/RW81). Extensive group of approximately 59 prints, earliest are from the years 1938, 1940 (two, both third edition), 1944 (third edition), 1949 (second edition) and 1966 (second edition), from 1972 through 2014 the collection is complete except missing one (1973, offered as an individual lot), the 1982 print is the special Artist Proof, of which 400 were made and they were not offered for sale, many prints are accompanied by signed stamps and later prints show a good mix of companion piece editions and some executive editions, fresh condition throughout, Very Fine collection, see our attached website PDF for a complete list of years, editions and Stearns and Fink values, which total more than $37,000.00