American Fish Decoys

Folk art is recently seeing a major increase in consumer interest since the economic downturn of a few years ago. One of the latest major up-ticks among folk art collectors is the increased number of people who have become involved in collecting old and original fish decoys.

Gary Miller of Williamsburg, Michigan is acknowledged by Steven Michaan, author and producer of a wonderful book called American Fish Decoys, as “the foremost historian of fish decoys. Miller had assembled many of the Oscar Peterson fish decoy carvings that form the core of my collection.” Decoys similar to those of Michaan’s will be auctioned in early October (see below).

The collection of Michaan is indeed a wonderful example of the folk art of fish decoy making, and of the work of the late Oscar Peterson (1887-1951) of Cadillac, Michigan. The book features many Peterson fish, as well as decoys from other makers.

Oscar Peterson fish decoys are a big portion of this decoy auction.

Miller, a longtime collector of folk art and especially the works of Oscar Peterson, has become a noted authority on fish decoys, and at one time sold Michaan many of the wood fish that appear in the pages of American Fish Decoys, and especially Chapter 3 of this book that deals with Peterson and his work.

This book normally sells for $95, and is in mint condition. Those of you who have followed my daily weblog know that I am a collector of fine fishing, hunting and natural history books. Michaan’s book is not cheap but is reasonably expensive but worth every penny of it.

The book, an oblong volume, with 208 pages, has the decoy photos published in full color. All text is white text and printed on black paper, and the wonderful photos seem to jump right off the page. This is truly a collector’s item, but more so than for its immediate value, the book is worth more for its great descriptions and its unique blend of beauty and knowledge of fish decoys.

Make no mistake about it, American folk art is, in fact, true American art. Fish decoys are distinctly American sculptures that uniquely present the best side of the national personality.

“Ingenious and practical,” Michaan wrote, “they transcend their utilitarian nature to take their place in the pantheon of true American art forms.”

This book is available at a special sale price while supplies last.

Color photos are on every other page, and descriptive text accompanies each wood fish photo. All page edges are coated with silver, and miniature fish decoys are placed on the front and back endpapers. A wonderful dust jacket is present on every one of these hard-bound books.

Miller said copies of this rare and gorgeous book normally sell for $95 but he will offer a limited quantity of them as long as supplies last, at $75 plus postage & handling. Anyone interested in more information about this book can contact Miller at <garylmiller@mac.com> .

Information about an important fish decoy auction of the decade.

Miller notes that a “fish decoy auction of the decade” will be held Oct. 3rd, beginning at 10 a.m., at Bill Oliver's Conference Center at the Rodeway Inn, 5676 M-55, Cadillac, Michigan. This major auction features approximately 150 high-quality fish decoys. Miller wrote the descriptions for all the fish decoy and wall plaque lots. Duck decoys, spears, lures and firearms also will be auctioned throughout the day. A preview of each lot will be made available on Oct. 2nd from Noon through 3 p.m. and again on Oct. 3rd before the sale from 8 a.m. through 10 a.m. at the above location.

Additional information about the auction can be found at <http://www.centuryassets.com/> . This is the first major auction of Peterson and other fish decoys in many years, and interest in some of these rarities is high. This sale is from the estate of the late John L. Warner of Newark, Ohio, and provenance is provided. Many of the Peterson fish decoys and wall plaques have been featured in numerous prestigious museum displays and many were originally purchased directly from the Oscar Peterson estate.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors