In conjunction with North American Vintage Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show
A once in a life-time auction event The Jim and Diane Cook Collection Session I to be offered April 2026
For 45 years, Jim and Diane Cook’s aggressive pursuit of high-condition waterfowl decoys has resulted in the finest collection of rare and important decoys ever assembled. Many examples were auction records for the maker when they joined the collection and some were only surpassed when Jim bid on a rarer and more pristine example, setting the highwater mark once again. Over the years when a potential addition to the collection was selected, Jim would often hold up his bid card and not lower it until the auctioneer sold the decoy his way.
The Jim and Diane Cook collection will be sold in its entirety over the next five Guyette and Deeter auctions, commencing on April 23 & 24 at the Westin Chicago Lombard, held in conjunction with the annual North America Decoy Collectors Association show. The opportunity to acquire some of the most important decoys known should not be overlooked.
A 364-page, hardbound book of the entire collection can be purchased for $100 by calling Guyette and Deeter at 410-745-0485. The book features over 75 carver biographies, as well as extended writeups about the Cooks and their collecting journey. It is extensively illustrated with over 700 photos of the collection, as well as vintage photos to accompany the many carver bios. If you have questions about any of the upcoming items or would like to consult with a specialist on starting your collection, call Jon Deeter at 440-610-1768 or Zac Cote at 207-321-8091.
Extremely rare species • One of a kind form Unique preening widgeon by A. Elmer Crowell. §400,000 – 600,000
Last sold publicly in 1986 for §205,000, which was 4x the previous
Last sold publicly in 1986 for $205,000, which was 4x the previous world record for any decoy Exceedingly rare and important wood duck by Joseph Lincoln. $400,000 – 600,00
Pair of mallards by Enoch Reindahl. $60,000 – 90,000
Pair of G.K. Schmidt rig pintails by Charles Perdew. $60,000 – 90,000
Bluewing teal by A. Elater Crowell. $150,000 – 250,000
Preening mallard hen by Robert Elliston. §100,000 – 150,000
Pair of black ducks by the Ward Brothers. §60,000 – 90,000
Sleeping black duck by Charles “Shang” Wheeler. §80,000 – 120,000
Hooded merganser by William Hart. §100,000 – 150,000
Swan by Charles “Shang” Wheeler. §100,000 – 150,000
Outstanding eider front Matinicus Island, Maine. $30,00 – 40,000
Frank Finney’s magnum opus — perhaps the most significant work of his career — hand carved it reimagines traditional folk depictions of the bountiful harvest, transforming them into a fully dimensional, living automaton, with butterfly wings gently moving and bees lifting and landing as the vase slowly turns. Approximately 19” tall, with a 24” diameter.
The April 2026 auction will also feature an excellent selection of original sporting art, folk art, and Americana
Excellent patriotic carved and painted shield
Excellent sunfish plaque and large carved vase by Oscar Peterson
Kennebec Canoe Model, 1st quarter 20th century.
Part of an outstanding collection of fish spearing decoys
Richard LaBarre Goodwin (1840-1910), oil on canvas. 42” x 31.5”
Lynn Bogue Hunt (1878-1960), oil on canvas. 15.5” x 20”
Chet Reneson (b.1934), watercolor. 18”x 28”
Miniature dog carvings by Moise Potvin (1876-1948).
Oil paintings by Frances Lee Jaques (1887-1969).
Part of a selection of tourist paddles by Alpheus Keech
410-745-0485 • guyetteanddeeter.com
1210 S Talbot St, Unit A • St. Michaels, MD 21663