Proceeds from the Feb. 21-22 auction to be donated to benefit Delta’s conservation programs
PEMBROKE, MASSACHUSETTS — Copley Fine Art Auctions is excited to present Session II of The George Secor Decoy Collection to benefit Delta Waterfowl at The Winter Sale on Feb. 21-22, 2025. This auction will offer premium Ontario carvings from the Secor collection, with the proceeds of the hammer to be donated in their entirety to Delta Waterfowl.
Leading the decoys on offer is an exceedingly rare canvasback pair by Henry “Hank” Catton (1854-1933) of Ridgetown, Ontario. The Catton canvasbacks—which Secor ranks as favorites in his collection—carry an estimated auction value of $15,000 to $25,000. Another exceptional Ontario carving set to cross the block is an early Canada goose by Long Point’s Phineas Reeves (1833-1896). This circa-1880 decoy will be joined by another early work: a circa-1870 Canada goose carved by Daniel B. Jones (1834-1903) of Crofton in Prince Edward County. Each goose decoy is estimated at $7,000 to $10,000.
The Secor Collection is represented in 31 lots of the February sale. To view an online catalog, visit https://www.copleyart.com/upcoming-auctions.
Copley would like to thank all of the Delta Waterfowl decoy collectors who helped raise money for waterfowl conservation during the Sporting Sale in July 2024. Session I of the collection generated more than $170,000 for Delta Waterfowl. The top Secor lot of the Sporting Sale was the Chambers Deming-Seitz Canada Goose at $37,200. Another lot by Thomas Chambers (1860-1948), the Rare Long-Body Canvasback pair, soared to $21,600.
“By generously donating his fine collection of decoys, George Secor is making a substantial investment in Delta’s mission to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting,” said Dr. Scott Petrie, chief executive officer of Delta Waterfowl. “We’re celebrating George’s legacy through the decoy auction and his gift, and we’re very grateful for his support.”
The revenue generated by the auction of the Secor Collection will fund Delta Waterfowl’s vital conservation programs. This initiative is the brainchild of George Secor, serving as a testament to his dedication to giving back to the species that have brought him so much joy throughout his life.
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.
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