81540--Extra large Illinois four-sided blade

The picture, back lighted, shows what's 'special' about this big Burlington chert (or the higher grade of Burlington, Crescent Quarry Chert) blade: very high grade quartz inclusions that are 'moderately' translucent. A little bit of imagination, you can see the Late (?) Archaic Culture knapper admiring his work as the blade finished-out. Length is 4&1/2" by 2&1/8" yet the center thickness tops-out at only 3/8"--that's some superb flintworking, imho. The reverse side has a thin line of glue where it was fastened for display--must have been on a wood back frame as there is no trace of felt--the glue should come off easily, a bit of soaking. Patina--two words: simply fine, every detail is guaranteed authentic. Interesting feature: The quartz end shows HEAVY grinding--your hands will confirm that as soon as you touch the base. Did that grinding make this a hand-held knife, a Red Ochre Blade--or is it a Harahey Knife from the Mississippian Period--deciding which to call the piece may come down to an opinion--those large, extra large flake scars make me think the piece is earlier than a Mississippian Culture artifact, though That grinding in the basal area, you'd think the piece was intended as a hand-held knife, not to be hafted. Shipping is $9.00...sorry, postal rates are-what-they-are. I welcome checks or money orders, but I do do not use paypal-type services--Roy A.