A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1925
16 1/2 in. long
A rare turned-head black duck with fine feather paint to the head and body. Crowell patron William H. “Boss” Hoover (1849-1932) was the founder of the largest vacuum cleaner manufacturer in the world. A monumental American figure, even today the act of vacuuming in England is often referred to as “hoovering.” The underside of this carving bears the maker's early oval brand, a painted “HOOVER” owner's designation, and a "JHD" stamp for collector John H. Dunham.
In excellent original paint with touch-up around neck crack, faint age line along back.
Provenance: William H. "Boss" Hoover Rig
John H. Dunham Collection
Alan and Elaine Haid Collection
Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, p. 152.
John and Shirley Delph, "New England Decoys," Exton, PA, 1980, p. 147, bottom of exact decoy illustrated.
Condition
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