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A PREHISTORIC ARTIFACT AUCTION
THE FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
PAGE 1 OF 3 PAGES
COPYRIGHT JULY 31, 2005 PETER A. BOSTROM

A GROOVED AX THAT WAS SOLD ON AUCTION

Abstract image of large Mississippian "sword."

abstract
A PREHISTORIC ARTIFACT AUCTION
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

    Private collections of prehistoric artifacts are often times sold on auction. This article describes and illustrates some of the artifacts and the auction process of a recent sale of an old collection from southern Illinois. The collection was assembled by Harry Franke who was born in 1899 and died in 1965. His son, Marvin, maintained the collection until his recent death. Some of the artifacts in the collection were illustrated in various publications, beginning in the 1930's to the 1950's.
    The buying and selling of prehistoric artifacts is controversial. The subject can stir the emotions of Native Americans, scientists and even collectors. Some countries in the world have very strict antiquities laws that do not allow the sale of artifacts. There are no such laws, concerning legally acquired prehistoric artifacts, in the United States. The purpose of this article is not to argue whether it is right or wrong, only to show an example of an auction where prehistoric artifacts were sold. 

    "Auction: A public sale of items, one by one, to the highest bidder, usually by a person licensed and authorized for the purpose."---1979, "Webster's Dictionary."
   
"It's too bad that the Franke collection can't remain intact and available for study. Auctions of prehistoric artifacts like this (Franke auction) also serve to encourage people to disturb archaeological sites, sometimes doing irreparable damage"---2005, Brad Koldehoff (archaeologist).
   
" With more than 500 Native American artifacts going for high prices at the Franke Indian Artifacts Auction July 9, collectors and amateurs might have gotten the idea they too could get rich by going out and scouring the area for these same things
    But before they go picking up arrowheads and spears off the ground, people might want to look at the laws in Illinois, pertaining to the preservation of Native American artifacts."
---2005, Kevin Darr, "Monroe County Clarion."
    "Auction service owner Brad Schaller said the sale at the VFW in Millstadt took in more than $200,000 for the family of long-time collector Harry Franke, who died in 1965. The Franke family resides in Columbia (Illinois)."---2005, George Pawlaczyk, "Bellville News Democrate."



A PREHISTORIC ARTIFACT AUCTION
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

     Not a week goes by that somewhere in the U.S. someone is selling their small, or sometimes large, collection of prehistoric artifacts on auction. Collections are being sold for any one of a number of different reasons. They are sold because of illness or they were inherited or  because the person needs the money.  Auctions are one of the most common ways that collections are dispersed. This was the situation recently with the Franke collection.


CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE
THE AUCTIONING OF THE FRANKE COLLECTION
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

      The auctioneer is speaking at the microphone and everyone is beginning to settle down for the 6 1/2 to 7 hour sale of the Franke collection. The artifacts can be seen on the tables in the front. 

    The Franke collection was sold on auction because there were no more collectors in the family. The collection was originally assembled by Harry Franke who was born in 1899 and died in 1965. The collection then passed on to his son Marvin who continued the family tradition for many years. But with the recent deaths of Marvin and his son Dennis, who was also a collector, the family decided to sell this locally famous "old time" collection.


PROSPECTIVE BUYERS VIEWING THE ARTIFACTS
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

     People are previewing the artifacts. This picture shows many of the ground stone artifacts in the collection. Several axes can be seen on the tables along with various other artifacts. 

     The auction process of the Franke collection was unique, if compared to other auctions of famous private collections. Most large collections are sold by established "auction houses" who advertise in large well illustrated catalogs. They encourage people to bid by phone, accept credit cards,  they charge a 10% buyers premium and sometimes a sales tax. On the other hand, the Franke collection was sold in a small southern Illinois town by auctioneers who specialize in real estate. There was very little advertisement-- no catalog, buyers premium, phone bids, credit cards or sales tax.


STUDYING A BASAL-NOTCHED POINT
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

      A prospective buyer is studying a large basal notched point, prior to the sale. Several other archaic points can be seen in the frame on the table.

    The Franke auction was held in the VFW Hall in Millstadt, Illinois on July 9, 2005. The sale contained approximately 540 lots. The auction starting time was 9:30 and the sale was over by 4:30. "Hosted by Schaller Auction Service in Millstadt, the sale was brisk and all the items were gone by 4:30 p.m." (Kevin Darr, "Monroe County Clarion).

CONTINUE ON TO PAGE TWO

"REFERENCES"

1938, Titterington, P.F., "The Cahokia Mounds Group," p. 27.
1953
, Grimm, R.E., "Prehistoric Art," pp. 36-43.
1956
, Hannant, Owen, "Neolithic Grooved Axes of the North American Indian," Central States Archaeological Journal, p. 134.
1958
, Franke, Harry, "Central States Archaeological Journal," pp. 116, 118 & 119.
2005
, Darr, Kevin, "Auction Showcases Extra Large Collection," Monroe County Clarion.
2005, Pawlaczyk, George, "Prehistoric Indian Artifacts Bring In $200,000 At Auction," Bellville News Democrat.
Personal communications with Brad Koldehoff.

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