Makers / John R. Wells / Scaup/Bluebill
John R. Wells Bluebill
John R. Wells (1861-1953) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1888
$2,520
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $600–$900over estimate
Sold Jul 2017at Copley, July 2017
SpeciesScaup/BluebillConfigRigSize14.5"PaintOriginalCarved1888
The catalog record
John R. Wells (1861-1953) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1888 14 1/2 in. long
Branded “W. H. B.” identifying the rig of Ward Hamilton Bowlby (1834-1917). Bowlby was a lawyer, politician, and a brief member of the St. Clair Flats Shooting Company from 1888-1889.
This decoy displays the maker's signature feather paint along the sides.
Original paint with hairline crack in bill.
Provenance: Ward H. Bowlby Rig Rafe Lapham and Martha Andrea Collection
Provenance
Ward H. Bowlby Rig Rafe Lapham and Martha Andrea Collection
Comparable sales
The 5 most recent John R. Wells Scaup/Bluebills to cross the block.
| Sold | Condition | Paint | Brought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | — | Original | $545 |
| Jan 2025 | — | Repaint | $540 |
| Jan 2025 | — | Repaint | $450 |
| Jul 2024 | — | Original | $840 |
| Jul 2022 | — | Original | $1,140 |
Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All John R. Wells sales