Set of 22 Miniature Shorebirds
A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952)
East Harwich, MA, c. 1930
largest is 4 3/4 in. long

Crowell created three different sets of miniature birds, twenty-five ducks, twenty-five songbirds, and twenty-five shorebirds, which he sold to not only his decoy buyers and seasonal tourists, but also schools and museums around the nation for species identification purposes. Author and collector Joseph Ellis, who tallied the maker?s miniature species in "Birds in Wood and Paint," writes, "The result-50 ducks, geese, and upland game birds (including females), 42 shorebirds and wading birds, and 91 songbirds, for a grand total of 183-is staggering."

The vast majority of the original Crowell sets to come to market are his waterfowl species, making this a rare opportunity to acquire a nearly complete shorebird flock with remarkable consistency from bird to bird. Absent from the set are the obtainable jacksnipe (#20), lesser yellowlegs (#24), and spotted sandpiper (#25). Indeed, the number of complete sets of shorebird miniatures that have come to auction can be counted on one hand.

Each miniature bears the "A. E. Crowell MAKER East Harwich MASS" rectangular stamp on the bottom of the base, along with a penciled number in reference to Crowell's published shorebirds set list. The group includes the following with Crowell's alternate names in parentheses: greater yellowlegs, ruddy turnstone, golden plover, upland sandpiper (upland plover), piping plover, black-breasted plover, killdeer plover, dowitcher, purple sandpiper, dunlin (redback sandpiper), white-rumped sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, least sandpiper (least peep), marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, whimbrel (jack curlew), sanderling, willet, redknot (redbreast), black-neck stilt, semipalmated plover, and semipalmated sandpiper.

This set was originally acquired directly from Crowell by Alice "Dotty" Herrick Mumford of Pegan Hill in Dover, Massachusetts, and Great Pond, located in Eastham, Massachusetts. The Mumford family farmed Pegan Hill for many generations before conserving the land, now called the Mumford Wildlife Forest, as open space.

The carvings come with their original custom-built wood and glass case with a mirrored back. In addition to the structural protection, the case appears to have prevented any fading or discoloration. Given their condition, provenance, and the rarity of shorebird sets, these birds present the infrequent opportunity for acquisitors to obtain an excellent and cohesive set.
Outstanding original paint with minimal wear.

Provenance: Alice "Dotty" Herrick Mumford Collection, Pegan Hill, Dover, Massachusetts, and Great Pond, Eastham, Massachusetts, acquired from the artist
Private Collection, by descent in the family

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 239-241, shorebird set list, and miniature song bird and waterfowl carving sets illustrated. Brian Cullity, "The Songless Aviary," Hyannis, MA, 1992, pp. 90-99, similar birds illustrated.

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