Elmer Crowell Black Bellied Plover

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 A superb and early Crowell gunning shorebird that shows the maker’s best carving with split tail, chines in the back of the neck and throat. From the Parker Williams Whitmore rig of West Gloucester, Massachusetts, and bears his “P.W.W.” brand. Original paint with even gunning wear, some discoloration to the left side of the face and lower part of the tail.

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, exact decoy illustrated. William J. Mackey, Jr., "American Bird Decoys," New York, NY, 1965, color plate III, p. 64 and dust jacket, similar examples Illustrated. John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1990, dust jacket,, similar examples illustrated. Joe Engers, ed., "The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys," San Diego, CA, 1990, p. 53, similar example illustrated. Jeff Waingrow, "American Waterfowl Decoys," New York, NY, 1985, pp. 90-91 and back cover, similar example illustrated.

Provenance

Private Collection, New England