Makers / Robert Elliston / Pintail

Robert Elliston Pintail Drake

Robert Elliston (1847-1925) Bureau, IL, c. 1890

Robert Elliston – Pintail Drake – 2019
$2,160
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $1,500–$2,500
Sold 16 Feb 2019at The Winter Sale 2019 — Copley

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesPintailConfigDrakeSize17.5"PaintOriginal

The catalog record

Robert Elliston (1847-1925) Bureau, IL, c. 1890 17 1/2 in. long

An elegant Illinois River decoy featuring Catherine Elliston's finest paint. The underside retains its "THE ELLISTON DECOY" lead-strip weight. Original paint with gunning wear, including a professional repair to tip of bill, two neck cracks, one of which is reset with touch-up.

Provenance: Ronald S. Swanson Collection

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien, Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 34, similar decoy illustrated.

Provenance

Ronald S. Swanson Collection

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Robert Elliston Pintails to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
14 Oct 2026——$688
Jul 2026——$4,200
Jul 2026ExcellentOriginal$3,000
Apr 2026—Original$4,200
Jul 2025—Original$5,100

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Robert Elliston sales