Bert Graves Rigmate Mallard Pair

George "Bert" Graves (1887-1956) Peoria, IL, c. 1920 A fine pair of hollow decoys with glass eyes from the hunting rig of Chester J. Caswell. This pair of mallards showcases Catherine Elliston's finest original paint and they retain their original G.B. Graves impressed lead strip weights and "CJC" rig brands. The drake also bears a stamped "133" and an old paper label identifying the bird as having come from the Willis Pennington of LaGrange, Illinois Collection. Both are in original paint, the drake is in very good condition with light gunning wear. The hen has even gunning wear to include wear to the paint, a couple of age lines in the breast, one in the neck, and a small bill tip chip.

Provenance: Chester J. Caswell Rig Willis Pennington Collection Mark R. Mahoney Collection

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, p. 105, similar decoy illustrated. Donna Tonelli, "Fish and Fowl Decoys of the Great Lakes," Atglen, PA, 2002, pp. 8, 120-121, similar decoys illustrated. Stephen O'Brien and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, pp. 98-100, rigmates illustrated.

Provenance

Chester J. Caswell Rig Willis Pennington Collection Mark R. Mahoney Collection