The Edward W. Payne Stone Age Collection

Originally Published 1937

Republished with Additions by Hart Publishers 2002

Edward Payne (1857 – 1932) was a prominent banker and real estate owner in Springfield, Illinois. He became interested in prehistoric artifacts while a school boy and this passion continued to grow throughout adulthood. His lifelong desire was to bring together the best and most outstanding assemblage of prehistoric artwork. His business and financial acumen allowed him to expend hundreds of thousands of turn-of-the-century dollars to complete this goal. He developed an extensive network of buyers throughout the country (he called them “pickers”), who worked on commission to purchase for him the most outstanding pieces offered for sale. At the time of his death, his relic catalogue showed some 400,000 items. This book displays many of these finer artifacts. The Hart republication features include: 

1. All original works published in Payne’s 1937 book.
2. Brown hardbound leatherette cover with gold colored embossing.
3. 8 ½ x 11 inches, 160 pages.
4. Computer enhanced pictures of many, many outstanding artifacts of various types.
5. Current owners (2002) of many artifacts, where publisher received permission to display.
6. Many added additions by Gordon Hart including introduction by Gordon with biography of Payne, several of Payne letters to pickers and collectors, interesting quips, collection philosophy, histories, etc.