Ivan Kozlov (B. 1937) "Greater Scaup - 1991 USSR Duck Stamp Shoveler Duck - First Day Cover" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was published on the First Day Cover for the USSR 15k Greater Scaup stamp issued July 1, 1991.

The tundra potholes of Siberia are home to the Greater Scaup, a species of diving duck. After the breeding season on the arctic tundra, the Greater Scaup will lead its seven to ten offspring south to warmer climates, with "lay-overs" on such waters as the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Japan, where large flocks will rest and ride out the choppy waves, diving and feeding. Known also as "big bluebill," huge rafts of the Greater Scaup -- as many as 50,000 birds -- will converge on open saltwater bays during late autumn and winter. There, ducks will dive for mollusks and other tidbits of food. Entire flocks will often dive in unison after a strange ritual of rearing into the air, shaking their wings and then, plunging. Even these large flocks are eerily silent; only when the Greater Scaup is alarmed does it voice the sound that is part of its name: scaup, scaup, scaup. The drake's harlequin plumage is often confused with the Lesser Scaup, but the latter duck is both smaller and darker. Shades of iridescent green cover the head of the drake Greater Scaup when observed through field glasses and from nearby. The profile of the head is also an aid to identification; the Greater Scaup's is rounded and not as pointed as that of the Lesser. Yet for the novice birder, distinguishing the Greater Scaup from the Lesser is an art which is mastered only through experience and practice.

Image Size: 13.75 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 18.25 x 14.75 in.
Unframed.
(B12917)

- By registering to bid for this auction either in-house or online and/or placing a bid in this auction the BIDDER/BUYER agrees to all the terms and conditions of Helmuth Stone Gallery Auctions.

- All silver, gold and/or jewelry lots or invoices containing said lots MUST be paid for via wire transfer or cashier’s check, no other forms of payment will be accepted.

- All sales are final; no refunds will be given under any circumstances.

- Helmuth Stone Gallery provides condition reports as a courtesy to our clients and assumes no liability for any error or omission. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client and is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Descriptions are our opinions and should in no way be construed as a guarantee of any kind as to age, condition, mater. The bidder assumes responsibility for ensuring that the condition of the item(s) meets with their satisfaction prior to bidding. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.

- Online images can sometimes be low quality due to the uploading process, original high-resolution images can be requested via email at HelmuthStone@gmail.com

- We recommend looking into shipping quotes prior to bidding, shipping quotes can take up to a week or more post-sale as we host our auctions through 6 online platforms and shipping can become backlogged, if you would like a list of local shippers please email us directly.

- Our auction catalogs are hosted through multiple online platforms along with phone and in-house bidding. Bids placed on other platforms are not shown through this catalog. Because of this, even if it appears you are the only absentee bid or bidder on a lot, you may already be out bid or may have placed a bid equal to another bidder. Therefore, we always recommend bidding live.