Jack Crowell Pintail Pair

Wildfowl Decoys of California by Michael Miller identifies this rig of 30 pintails as the "Otto Loat Rig" of Alameda, CA. Since the book was published additional research has identified these stylish, hollow carved pintails as being the work of Jack Crowell (San Leandro, CA) circa 1950s. Many of the examples (such as this drake) are branded "JC" on the bottom. Crowell hunted the Tule Bell Duck Club in the Suisun Marsh. Both of these examples are pictured in the book. Only 30 examples are known by this maker. Good original paint. Both measure approximately 17” in length. This exact pair are pictured on page 287 of Wildfowl Decoys of California (top left photo).