Elmer Crowell Wing-up Greater Yellowlegs

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1930 12 1/4 in. tall, 8 in. long

A rare and exceptional greater yellowlegs with a raised wing and preening feather. Crowell was a master of preening forms, and he used this special wing-up model to showcase his deft painting abilities. He seems to thrive within the self-presented challenge of doubling the size of his canvas and adding two different plumage presentations, one on each side of the wing.

This grand wing-up mantel bird has carved tail feather detail and a dropped left wing tip. The bill tip is slightly open and preening an individual feather made from metal. It is signed by the maker on the bottom of the base "A. E. Crowell, Cape Cod,” and “Winter Yellowlegs” and marked with the rectangular stamp.

Playing to the Cape Codder’s strengths, it is no surprise that this model has been coveted and challenging to acquire since its introduction in the late 1920s. Harry V. Long illustrates a virtually identical greater (winter) yellowlegs carving in his 1932 journal with a caption reading “Elmer Crowell at work, he promised me that winter [yellowlegs] on the right four years ago -- ‘just a dream.’” David and Peggy Rockefeller owned a Mackey Collection bookend-pair of raised-wing lesser yellowlegs, which were stars in the sale of their bird carving collection. Additionally, a singular wing-up curlew now resides in the Tom and Tania Evans Collection and was featured prominently on the inside back cover of the “Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving" book. Excellent original paint with light wear.

Provenance: Michael Boxer Collection

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 146-147, 258-261, back inside cover, wing-up mantle birds illustrated. Christie's, "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller," New York, NY, May 10, 2018, lot 1017, related lesser yellowlegs pair illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary," Hyannis, MA, 1992, p. 78, pl. 35, related bird illustrated and discussed. Kory W. Rogers, “Birds of a Feather,” Shelburne, VT, 2017, p. 114, related example illustrated. Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., "Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys, from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey, Jr. of Belford, New Jersey," Hyannis, MA, Session III, August 21, 1973, lot 285, Mackey-Rockefeller lesser yellowlegs pair illustrated.

Provenance

Michael Boxer Collection