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ELMER CROWELL, EAST HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, CIRCA 1915
Details
AN OUTSTANDING PREENING PINTAIL DRAKE
Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts, circa 1915
Crowell is certainly among the very best decoy makers of this century, and this pintail is arguably the finest piece he has ever created. In fact, no others like it are known. It was made for Crowell's friend, Dr. John C. Phillips of Beverly, MA., for whom Crowell ran a gunning stand at the beginning of the century.
The Crowell birds in the Phillips rig were all of a very high caliber, and this pintail is the finest of that esteemed group. The decoy, though never rigged for hunting, bears the Crowell large oval brand on and the initials J.C.P. written in pencil on the underside. With its turned head, crossed-wing carving and superb paint, Dr. Phillips may have decided to reserve it for the mantel.
ThisbBird established the world record price for any decoy in 1986; a record that endured for 11 years.
Slight loss of filler where tail piece joins body; paint is virtually mint; slight dent on lower right side of body
Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, Massachusetts, circa 1915
Crowell is certainly among the very best decoy makers of this century, and this pintail is arguably the finest piece he has ever created. In fact, no others like it are known. It was made for Crowell's friend, Dr. John C. Phillips of Beverly, MA., for whom Crowell ran a gunning stand at the beginning of the century.
The Crowell birds in the Phillips rig were all of a very high caliber, and this pintail is the finest of that esteemed group. The decoy, though never rigged for hunting, bears the Crowell large oval brand on and the initials J.C.P. written in pencil on the underside. With its turned head, crossed-wing carving and superb paint, Dr. Phillips may have decided to reserve it for the mantel.
ThisbBird established the world record price for any decoy in 1986; a record that endured for 11 years.
Slight loss of filler where tail piece joins body; paint is virtually mint; slight dent on lower right side of body
Provenance
Philip De Normandie, who purchased this bird directly from the Phillips family
Literature
J. Engers, ed. The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys, San Diego, 1990, p. 52 (illustrated), recorded on p. 314
New York Times, July 18, 1986
Wall Street Journal, 12 September 1986.
U.S. News & World Report, 22 December 1986, p. 48
Art & Antiques, January, 1987
Sports Afield, December 1987, p. 50, "The Legacy of Elmer Crowell."
J. and S. Delph, New England Decoys, Exton, 1981, p. 110 (illustrated).
New York Times, July 18, 1986
Wall Street Journal, 12 September 1986.
U.S. News & World Report, 22 December 1986, p. 48
Art & Antiques, January, 1987
Sports Afield, December 1987, p. 50, "The Legacy of Elmer Crowell."
J. and S. Delph, New England Decoys, Exton, 1981, p. 110 (illustrated).