Inside One of the Greatest Decoy Assemblies Ever Sold: The Jim & Diane Cook Collection (Ep 764) — Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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One of the most important events in the history of decoy collecting is about to unfold.

Host Katie Burke sits down with Jon Deeter of Guyette & Deeter Auction Company to discuss the Jim & Diane Cook Collection — a 400‑piece assemblage widely regarded as the most valuable and significant decoy collection ever assembled. The collection will be offered at auction beginning this April during the North American Decoy Collectors Association (NADCA) show.

In this episode, Jon shares the story behind Jim Cook — a visionary entrepreneur, avid waterfowler, and early conservationist — and how his passion, resources, and eye for quality shaped a once‑in‑a‑generation collection that spans nearly every major carving region in North America.

In this episode:

Who Jim Cook was and how the collection came together
Why this is one of the most important decoy events ever
How Guyette & Deeter vetted nearly 400 top‑tier decoys
The role of private collectors in preserving decoy history
Jim Cook’s early prairie pothole conservation efforts
Why now is a historic moment for new collectors
The importance of collection provenance and maker stamps
Why collections break up — and why it matters for the hobby
How collectors, museums, and historians benefit from this sale

The conversation then dives deep into highlights from the collection, including works by Joe Lincoln, Elmer Crowell, the Ward Brothers, Robert Elliston, Charlie & Edna Perdew, and Enoch Reindahl — explaining why these pieces matter and what sets them apart.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

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