Elmer Crowell Canada Goose

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1920 This is possibly the fattest straight head Crowell goose that we have come across. The plump bird has a nicely rounded back with pronounced breast and graceful head. The bill carving is superb with incised mandible, nostril and nail. Marked with Crowell's oval brand. Strong original paint with minimal gunning wear. The white on the breast and lower body appear to be early working repaint along with the white cheek patch; age line runs along one side toward the breast; tight crack on the bottom (typical of birds this wide) has two copper gunning patches to prevent further splitting; remnant traces of old varnish that was successfully removed.

Literature: Hal Sorenson, Decoy Collector's Guide, Burlington, IA, April-June 1964, p. 15, exact bird illustrated. Brian Cullity, The Songless Aviary, Hyannis, MA, 1992, p.74.