Makers / Elmer Crowell / Plover

Elmer Crowell Golden Plover

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910

Elmer Crowell – Golden Plover – 2008
$42,550
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $25,000–$35,000over estimate
Sold Jul 2008at Copley, July 2008

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesPloverConfigRigConditionExcellentPaintOriginal

The catalog record

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 An early Crowell shorebird decoy in breeding plumage. Featuring the maker’s best “ocean wave” paint and early tack eyes. Out of the half dozen golden plover that are known out of this gunning rig, this is the finest in terms of condition. In excellent original paint with minimal gunning wear. A few minor rubs; a single shot hole towards the tail; original bill.

Provenance: Private Collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Literature: William, J. Mackey, Jr., American Bird Decoys, New York, NY, 1965, color plate II, p. 65. Quintina Colio, American Bird Decoys, Ephrata, PA, 1972, p. 51.

Provenance

Private Collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Elmer Crowell Plovers to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Jul 2026Mint—$36,000
Jul 2026ExcellentOriginal$32,400
Jul 2026ExcellentOriginal$25,200
Jul 2026—Original$22,800
Jul 2026—Original$21,000

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