Elmer Crowell Rigmate Yellowlegs Pair

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 A running greater yellowlegs and a sentinel lesser yellowlegs shorebird duo that were crafted at the same time. Their incredible near-mint condition suggests that they were never used in the field. In the early 1900s, Joseph F. Sherer hunted with A. Elmer Crowell and George Flynn, the largest landowner on Martha’s Vineyard at the time. This pair is from the same collection as the, then record setting, Crowell decorative running curlew sold by this firm as lot 198 in The Sporting ale 2007. In original paint with minimal wear.

Provenance: Joseph F. Sherer Collection, acquired directly from the artist Private Collection, by descent in the family to the current owner

Literature: Robert Shaw, "Bird Decoys of North America," New York, NY, 2010, pp. 162 and 163, similar decoys illustrated. Shirley and John Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1990, pp. 143 and 153, similar examples illustrated. Adele Earnest, "The Art of the Decoy," New York, NY, 1965, pp. 170 and 171, similar example illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A. E. Crowell & Son," Sandwich, MA, 1992, p. 60, figures 5 and 6, similar birds illustrated.

Provenance

Joseph F. Sherer Collection, acquired directly from the artist Private Collection, by descent in the family to the current owner