A stuffed tench by Griggs

 This piece comes from the period before Griggs purchased the Cooper business, when he was working under his own name.

William (Bertie) Griggs (1884 - 1953) and Lionel Griggs (1915 -1984)

Bertie (as he generally came to be known) Griggs is usually regarded as the man who took antique fish taxidermy to its highest level and his work today is highly sought after, as is that of his son Lionel. Although in business under his own name for many years, Bertie is best known for the fact that he took over the famous old firm of Cooper's during the early 1930s. Such was the prestige of the Cooper name that although Bertie Griggs now owned the company he continued to label his cases 'J. Cooper and Sons' even though everything produced was his work.

After Bertie's death during 1953, his son Lionel continued the business using the same high standards that he had learned from his father. The business lasted for several years producing top quality cases but by 1960 taxidermy was in the doldrums, and in 1962 it was decided to close the doors forever.

Natural History, Taxidermy, Fishing