Oscar W. Peterson

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Oscar W. "Pelee" Peterson (November 14, 1887 – October 7, 1951)^[1] was an American carver of fish decoys.

Oscar "Pelee" Peterson is among the best known and most widely imitated fish carvers.

— Smithsonian American Art Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum website

His works are the subject of the book - Michigan's Master Carver: Oscar W. Peterson, 1887-1951 by Ronald J. Fritz and can be found in the American Art Museum of the Smithsonian, the Brooklyn Museum and have also been seen in the following exhibits:.^[2]

• “Hooked On Carving: Oscar W. Peterson” - Michigan State University Museum, 10/24/1982 - 4/10/1983
• “Fishing for Art, an Exhibition of the Implements and Art of Angling” American Museum of Fly Fishing at the Addison Gallery of American Art, 3/17/1984 - 4/15/1984
• “Gone Fishin ... an Exhibition of the Art & Artifacts of Angling” - Leelanau Historical Museum 6/11/1989-1/29/1990.
• “Beneath the Ice: The Art of the Fish Decoy,“ Museum of American Folk Art 2/15/1990- 4/17/1990

Oscar Peterson was extremely prolific, creating more than 15,000 works of art. (including fish decoys, duck decoys, plaques, and other decorative items). He even obtained a US Patent for a certain style of fishing plug (several of which were sold in a Cadillac MI Auction, 10/3/2010). Estimates are that around 1,500 to 2,000 of his art form are still in existence.^[3]

Oscar Peterson pieces show up in many places, one even appeared on the TV Show- Antiques Roadshow from Grand Rapids.^[4] Prices for Oscar Peterson's work are often very good, especially on his decorative carvings, with one plaque recently selling for as high as $100,000.^[5] His fish have been sold at Sotheby's and have obtained prices over $18,000 for a single piece.^[6]