Elmer Crowell Redhead

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1910 16 in. long

With their uplifted head postures, birds from this rig are among Crowell's best redhead gunning models. The bird is pre-brand and was never rigged for hunting. It has a large body, uplifted head, and carved tail detail. "Doc" Starr selected a closely related decoy to the front dust-jacket of his "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway." This bird is from a rig discovered on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1930s, the decoys having been found unused, wrapped in newspaper, and packed in a barrel. Traces of newsprint can still be seen on the underside. Excellent original paint with light wear. Touch-up to reset neck, and right side of bill tip, cheek, and shoulder.

Literature: Guyette and Schmidt, "Important Waterfowl Decoys & Bird Carvings at Auction, January 31 & February 1, 1992,” Virginia Beach, VA, lot 365, exact decoy illustrated. Decoy Magazine, March/April 1992, p. 42, exact decoy illustrated. George Ross Starr Jr. M.D., "Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway," New York, NY, 1974, front dust-jacket cover, closely related decoy illustrated. Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 68, related pair illustrated.