The "Smithsonian" Birdstone. An iconic 4" Porphyry Popeyed Birdstone. Its elaborate coloring and exquisite shape make it the most recognizable of all Porphyry Popeyes. Found in Vernon County, WI in 1882. It made its way to the Smithsonian where it resided until 1953 when Earl Townsend acquired it in trade. It remained in the Townsend Collection for 60 years, being acquired by Gary Cuckler from the estate in 2013. This work of prehistoric art has been documented in many prominent publications; Birdstones of the North American Indian (Color Plate IV), 2009 Birdstone Issue of Prehistoric American (p173), 2013 #4 Prehistoric American (solo front cover), Who's Who #5 (The King and his Court, p19), Legends of Prehistoric Art I (pp230-231) and II (pp140, 202). Well pictured in Masterpieces of Prehistoric Art (p4). In Townsend's Who's Who #7 publication, Earl can be seen holding this masterpiece his full page photo. With its large eyes (one eye was formed around a sold phenocryst in the porphyry) and graceful features, this Birdstone became Earl's favorite. It is embossed on the cover of Townsend's Birdstone Book cover. Earl considered it his finest Popeyed Birdstone, stating in his book, "for color, design and perfection, it has no peer".