Elmer Crowell The Mccleery Summer Yellowlegs

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 8 3/4 in. long

Crowell's lesser yellowlegs decoys are exceptionally rare. As stated by Crowell author and historian Brian Cullity, "The lesser yellowlegs was a relatively uncommon species to be used as a model for a decoy." On the pattern for this decoy, Crowell identifies the species as "summer yellow leg."

This important example was exhibited in Dr. McCleery's "Call to the Sky" museum exhibition and accompanying book. It was also held back by the McCleery estate from the 2000 sale, along with four other of his best Crowell shorebirds. This select important group of five was offered at Sotheby's in 2005, where this lot was selected for the catalog cover. Original paint with light gunning wear and a professionally replaced bill.

Provenance: Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Private Collection, Florida

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 14-15, exact decoy illustrated. Sotheby's, "Important American Folk Art, Furniture and Silver," New York, NY, May 2005, front cover and lot 104, exact decoy illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A. E. Crowell & Son," Hyannis, MA, 1992, pp. 60 and 114, pl. 116, Crowell's pattern and related example illustrated.

Exhibited: Houston, Texas, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston Museum of Natural History, 1992-1993.

Provenance

Dr. James M. McCleery Collection Private Collection, Florida