A Lifetime in the Hobby — The Douglas Watkins Collection

Turkey Tail Point — A Sonora Flint Turkey Tail recovered in Madison County, Indiana with provenance including T. Hendricks, Earl Townsend, Gilbert Cooper, and Doug Watkins. 2. Fluted Wing Bannerstone — Rare ferruginous red slate fluted wing bannerstone recovered in Wabash County, Indiana with provenance including David Root, Mel Wilkins, Dean Driskel, Judge Claude Stone, and Doug Watkins. 3. Glacial Kame Three-Hole Gorget — Banded slate Glacial Kame gorget recovered in Madison County, Indiana from the collections of Herb Meyers, Marvin Gillie, Mel Wilkins, and Doug Watkins. 4. Galena Perforated Loaf Stone — Rare perforated loaf stone made from exotic galena material with visible lead inclusions throughout the surface from the Doug Watkins Collection. 5. Popeye Birdstone — Salvaged Popeye birdstone recovered in Leo, Allen County, Indiana from the collections of and Doug Watkins.

For many collectors, the story starts with a single find.

For Douglas Watkins, that moment came nearly 80 years ago while walking out of the woods after a mushroom hunt with his father and uncle in Huntington County, Indiana. There may not have been many mushrooms that day, but Doug found something else instead — his first arrowhead. He still has it today.

That discovery sparked what would become a lifelong appreciation for prehistoric artifacts, ancient workmanship, and the stories preserved within the objects themselves.

Over the decades, Doug assembled a carefully curated collection focused heavily on authentic Midwestern material. Rather than simply accumulating quantity, Doug developed an appreciation for artifacts that exhibited honest age, refined workmanship, and distinctive character. Whether studying a finely made Paleo point, a heavily polished celt, or a uniquely shaped tool designed for a specific purpose, Doug’s fascination always centered around the people behind the objects and the incredible amount of labor that went into creating them.

One material in particular consistently caught his attention — Hixton Silicified Sandstone. Doug notes that there were certainly easier materials for prehistoric people to work with, but the beauty of Hixton immediately stood out to him the first time he encountered it. That appreciation remained with him throughout his years in the hobby, and today the collection contains numerous outstanding examples of Hixton points, knives, and tools from Wisconsin and the surrounding region.

A 2 3/4” Contracting Stem Point - Made of Hixton Silicified Sandstone

A personal find of Robert Hruska in Wisconsin, later acquired and collected by by Douglas Watkins.

Doug’s interests also evolved over time. While he appreciated exceptional artifacts from across the country, he increasingly found himself drawn toward local material and artifacts with personal or regional significance. Like many longtime collectors, the hobby became about more than simply owning objects — it became about preserving history, appreciating craftsmanship, and maintaining the stories connected to old finds and old collections.

Collectors who spend time with the Watkins Collection will notice that balance throughout the sale. There are investment-grade pieces alongside honest field finds. Highly refined examples sit beside unusual utilitarian tools showing extensive use wear and ancient resharpening. The collection reflects the perspective of somebody who appreciated artifacts for what they truly were — prehistoric tools made and used by real people thousands of years ago.

Doug still maintains a collection of paint cups today, tying into another longtime interest of his: painting. But as he jokes, the artifacts themselves were never used for that purpose.

After decades in the hobby, Doug reached the point many collectors eventually face — deciding it was time for the collection to move on and be appreciated by others. Through that process, we had the privilege of getting to know Doug, hearing the stories behind the artifacts, and helping present the collection in a way that reflects both the quality of the material and the personality behind it.

From investment-grade flint and slate to historic reference literature and old collection pieces, the Douglas Watkins Collection represents a lifetime spent appreciating prehistoric antiquities and preserving the history connected to them. We’re honored to help share that collection with the collecting community.