Lot #6: Robert Bateman Farm Lane and Blue Jays (1987) – Signed Print #401/950 with COA

Robert Bateman (Canadian, b. 1930) Farm Lane and Blue Jays (1987) – Highly Collectible Early Limited Edition Print 401/950, Hand-Signed with Original Mill Pond Press Documentation For your consideration is an exceptional, beautifully framed limited-edition photolithograph titled Farm Lane and Blue Jays (1987) by the world-renowned master of naturalist realism, Robert McLellan Bateman. This specific piece is hand-numbered 401 out of a strict edition of 950 and hand-signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right margin. It comes complete with its original Mill Pond Press registration card, backing documentation, and short biography, certifying its provenance and authenticity. • Artist: Robert Bateman • Title: Farm Lane and Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) • Year of Release: 1987 • Edition Number: 401 / 950 • Publisher: Mill Pond Press, Inc. • Frame Dimensions: Approximately 23" x 28" (Image size: 17.375" x 13.5") • Framing Details: Professional gallery custom framing by Proctor Framers & Art Supplies (Kanata, ON), double-matted with coordinated crisp white and cool blue matting, and presented in a classic metallic-wash wood frame. Historical Significance & Artist’s Notes This artwork represents a deeply personal slice of Canadian heritage. The scene portrays a tranquil, leaf-strewn farm path running east off of Blind Lane, just south of Britannia Road in Burlington, Ontario—located directly beneath the rural property where Bateman lived and walked daily for over two decades. Bateman painted this piece to pay homage to the early North American pioneers who intentionally planted rows of protective deciduous trees along their farm lanes. In the artist's own words regarding the piece: "In this painting, I tried to capture the feeling of autumn and the smell and rustle of that golden carpet. To give a little cool contrast, I put in a couple of flashes of blue. Blue jays are also very much a part of the sounds of autumn for we always hear their ringing cry..." Collector’s Note: Why This Piece Stands Above the Rest The market contains countless Robert Bateman prints, but serious collectors distinguish heavily between mass-produced open editions and premium archival print runs. This piece is vastly superior to the average Bateman print for three key reasons: 1. A Scarcity of 950: Many of Bateman's later, highly commercialized print runs in the late 1980s and 1990s climbed to staggering edition sizes of 7,000 to over 15,000 prints (such as Vigilance or End of Season Grizzly). At only 950 signed and numbered impressions, Farm Lane and Blue Jays belongs to a significantly smaller, more exclusive run. 2. The "Full Package" Provenance: A significant percentage of secondary market prints lose their paperwork over forty years. This lot includes the original Mill Pond Press publisher card hand-matched to print #401/950, the attached biographical essay, and the stamp of a dedicated custom framer. This complete documentation preserves maximum institutional and resale value. 3. Impeccable Archival Presentation: Unlike raw, rolled prints or pieces subjected to cheap pre-fabricated frames, this print has been professionally housed behind glass with acid-free double matting since its early history, keeping the paper perfectly flat and clear of edge damage. An ideal addition for collectors of fine Canadian art, wildlife enthusiasts, or those wishing to bring a brilliant, nostalgic piece of the Ontario autumn landscape into their home. Pickup category timeslot {A}