PAGE 3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
A PREHISTORIC

BONE CAHOKIA POINT, FRANKE COLLECTION
ARTIFACT AUCTION
THE FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
PAGE 3 OF 3 PAGES
COPYRIGHT JULY 31, 2005 PETER A. BOSTROM
Large adz at the Franke auction.
VERY LARGE ADZ
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

    This was the largest adz in the Franke collection. It measures 13 1/4 inches (33.6 cm) long. This adz is similar in style to the adzes used in recent years in New Guinea to chop down trees. This adz sold on auction for $3,000. 

     More than half of the Franke collection was represented by Archaic culture knives and projectile points. The most impressive of these were the large Late Archaic period points and knives. There were 26 Etley's, 17 Wadlow's and 6 Morse knives. Most of these were above 5 inches in length but several were 7 (17.7 cm) to 13 inches (33 cm) in length.

Large Mississippian sword at the Franke auction.
MISSISSIPPIAN SWORD
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

     This "Mississippian Sword" was the largest flaked stone object in the Franke collection. It most likely originates from a site somewhere in Illinois. A small portion of the base is broken and the piece can be seen tapped to the end. This knife is made of Mill Creek chert and the surface is heavily patinated. It measures 18 1/2 inches (47 cm) long and sold on auction for $10,200.

     Other Archaic points and knives in Franke collection were represented by Hardin Barb, Dalton, Stilwell, Table rock, St. Charles "Dovetail," Thebes and various other types of side-notched, corner-notched and basal-notched points. There were 49 St. Charles "Dovetail" points and 40 Dalton points in the collection.

Mississippian bird effigy pipe at the Franke auction.
 MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE BIRD EFFIGY PIPE
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

   This picture shows one of two pipes that were once in the Franke collection. It's style places it sometime within the Mississippian culture and it's more than likely that it's connected with the Cahokia Mounds site. This pipe is carved into the shape of a bird. It has two wings but no head and it's drilled with two large conical holes. This pipe appears to be made of siltstone. It measures 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm) long.

     Another impressive part of the Franke collection were the Mississippian culture Ramey knives, Notched Hoes and Spades. The most significant flaked stone artifact in the collection was a large "Mississippian Sword" that measured 18 1/2 inches (47 cm) long. There were several Ramey knives. At least three of them were made of Kaolin chert. There were nine or more notched hoes and at least two of them were made of Kaolin chert. The spades were made of Mill Creek chert and ranged in size up to 15 3/4 inches (40 cm) long.

Frame of artifacts in the Franke auction.
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE
ARTIFACTS IN FRANKE AUCTION PLUS
A FEW EXAMPLES OF LOT NUMBERS & PRICES
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

     This picture shows several different types of artifacts that were once in the Franke collection. Of the 28 flaked stone artifacts in this picture, at least 21 of them relate to the Archaic period. It's very likely that number 325 is a  "Gray Ghost." The numbers indicate some of the lots and what they sold for.

    Grooved axes were well represented in the Franke collection. There were at least 31 examples and the majority of them were 3/4 grooved axes. The most significant artifact in the collection was a three quarter grooved ax made of hematite. It measured 8 1/8 inches (47 cm) long and weighed 10 pounds. It sold for $23,200 and brought "by far" the most money for any single artifact in the collection.

Auctioning a Tussinger point at the Franke auction.
TUSSINGER ECCENTRIC BEING SOLD ON AUCTION
FRANKE COLLECTION
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

      Mack Tussinger sold a large number of these intricate eccentrics, beginning in the 1920's. He claimed to have dug them from a mound in Oklahoma. This Tussinger eccentric is one of two in the collection. This one measures 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm) long and was sold on auction for $475.

    The Franke collection is good evidence for the saying that "nothing remains the same." Even the people are gone now. In recent years, Marvin and Dennis were more than happy to show the collection at the farm house. For more than half a century the artifacts were contained within two old half round china cabinets---the artifacts crowded within. There are good memories of it but "nothing remains the same" and the collection and good people have moved on.

"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.

RECENT LISTINGS HOME    ORDERING