$6,000
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $5,000–$7,000
Sold 25 Jul 2015at The Sporting Sale 2015 — Copley
SpeciesPintailConfigPairPaintOriginalQuantity2
The catalog record
Bert Graves (1880-1956) Peoria, IL, c. 1930
A hollow rigmate pair of Illinois River decoys displaying glass eyes, incised bill detail, and detailed paint by Catherine Elliston (1849-1953). Branded "J.L.S." on the underside of each with an original Graves raised-letter strip lead weight. Original paint with gunning wear and a minor professional repair to right side edge of hen's bill.
Literature: Stephen O'Brien, Jr. and Julie Carlson, "Masterworks of the Illinois River," Boston, MA, 2005, p. 103, similar decoys illustrated.
Comparable sales
The 5 most recent Bert Graves Pintails to cross the block.
| Sold | Condition | Paint | Brought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | — | Original | $10,800 |
| Jul 2026 | — | Original | $2,760 |
| 6 Jun 2025 | — | Original | $2,400 |
| Apr 2025 | — | Original | $3,300 |
| Feb 2025 | — | Original | $5,100 |
Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Bert Graves sales