Rare Lesser Yellowlegs by A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)

Lot 26

About Seller

65 Sharp Street
Hingham, MA 02043
United States

Copley Fine Art Auctions is the world's leading American sporting art auction company. Located in Hingham, MA, Copley specializes in antique decoys and 19th- and 20th-century American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Principal Stephen O'Brien Jr., a fourth-generation sportsman with a refined colle...Read more

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About Auction

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

Live

The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 24, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-24 10:00:00 2023-02-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2023, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2023-day-1-11939 Lots 1-337 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Rare Lesser Yellowlegs
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1910
9 1/2 in. long

Crowell author and historian Brian Cullity states, "The lesser yellowlegs was a relatively uncommon species to be used as a model for a decoy." On the pattern for this decoy, Crowell identifies the species as "summer yellow leg."

A closely related example with a replaced bill was exhibited in Dr. McCleery's "Call to the Sky" museum exhibition and accompanying book. It was also held back by the McCleery estate from the 2000 sale, along with four other of his best Crowell shorebirds.
Original paint with light gunning wear and a replaced bill.

Provenance: Private Collection, Cape Cod

Literature: Sotheby's, "Important American Folk Art, Furniture and Silver," New York, NY, May 2005, front cover and lot 104, McCleery example illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary: The World of A. E. Crowell & Son," Hyannis, MA, 1992, pp. 60 and 114, pl. 116, Crowell's pattern and related example illustrated. Robert Shaw, "Call to the Sky: The Decoy Collection of James M. McCleery, M.D.," Houston, TX, 1992, pp. 14-15, McCleery example illustrated.

Condition

Please email condition report requests to colin@copleyart.com. Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.
Shipping Info
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