Elmer Crowell Running Golden Plover

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 This early golden plover is from the Parker Williams Whitmore rig of West Gloucester, Massachusetts, and bears his “P.W.W.” brand. Known for their animated forms and exceptional paint patterns, Crowell took tremendous care in carving these early shorebird rigs. The brief period during which he carved these life-like working decoys was just prior to the passing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The legal shooting of plover was outlawed by 1928. Original paint with even gunning wear and some flaking to bare wood. The bird retains its original glass shoe button eyes and the original bill.

Provenance: Private Collection, New England

Literature: Linda and Gene Kangas, "Connecting the Dots: Exploring the Provenance of Elmer Crowell's Decoys," "Decoy Magazine," Lewes, DE, March/April, 2010, p. 33, rigmates illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Rare American Decoys & Bird Carvings," Hyannis, MA, July 9-10, 1985, Session I, Lot 102, exact bird illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, New England