ARTIFACTS 

Ben Waller Collection

As many collectors of Florida artifacts already know, the late Ben Waller of Ocala is considered the father of Florida underwater archaeology.  Ben started diving the Florida springs and rivers in the late 1940s and soon discovered that many artifacts and fossils could be found there.  After a great deal of time and effort, he was able to convince the professionals that indeed there were artifacts in the rivers.  He amassed a collection of upwards of ten thousand cataloged items, most of which were dispersed by a poorly administered auction after his death.  Ben had such a congenial personality that I don't  think he could possibly have been disliked by anyone. 

I recently had the good luck to acquire a small collection of odds and ends from the Waller collection, which is offered here.  Every item listed here is recorded in his  records.  A few of the items have a certificate made up showing the item on one side and a photo of the corresponding record page on the obverse, and these are included with the artifact.  Identical certificates can be made up for the items here without them, for an additional charge of $25.  This is a rare opportunity to acquire a documented artifact from the Waller collection at a very reasonable price. 

Pinellas  Mississippian-historic
Marion Co. FL
1" $35 order a2609
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 8865.  Records say: "Pinellas: behind B.P. Creek  Mar Co., 2/14/82  BIW

Hafted Scraper
1 1/2"  $20 order a2591
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 7802, "hafted scraper" Perry, FL, 3/77 Ellis Moore to BIW

.

Broken Paleo Dalton
1", $50 order a2583
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 7816: Clovis (broken) off 225-A Fairfield, Marion Co. 1971  BIW

Molten Lead
1 1/2"  $10 order a2578
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 6880:  "Molten Lead"  Lake George, Lake Co. FL 5/72  BIW

Hafted Scraper
1 1/2"  $15 order a2577
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 8145, "hafted scraper" Perry, FL, 1979 Bob Annin to BIW

Hafted Scraper
1 3/8"  $30 order a2576
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 7804, "hafted scraper" Perry, FL, 3/77 Ellis Moore to BIW

Newnan
1 5/8"  $75 order a2572
COMMENTS:  Ben's number 6670:  "Marion"  Astor Park, St. Johns  1960,  Dick Bowers to BIW.
Has a bolo clip glued to back side.  Pretty little point, can be worn as jewelry or the clip soaked off.