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COPPER SPECIMENS from the old Champion Mine in Michigan (circa 1900-1967) Classic specimens of copper came from this now defunct mine, in the early to mid-1900s. They are characterised by a unique style: complex, herringbone-like spinel twinned crystals of copper, in interconnected masses. Today, such pieces are rare on the market, and are treasured by copper collectors and American collectors. We recently bought the stashed duplicates from the well-known Robert Nowakowski collection of Michigan classics, and this is certainly the biggest trove of these unique coppers for sale in some time. These were all obtained from yet earlier collections.
TUC10-C01 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 1500 Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan cabinet, 13.0 x 9.3 x 3.9 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
This is a solid mass, composed almost completely by spinel-twinned copper crystals which reach over 3 cm in length. The surface patina is a rich brownish-red, natural and unburned by acid as usual; with the brighter red coloring probably due to a coating of cuprite.The specimen appears to be a floater, with part of the back side covered by microcrystals of a light tan-colored mineral, possibly calcite. Overall this is a more massive piece than on enormally finds from Champion finds, heavy and with good impact and presence.
TUC10-C02 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 2000 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan cabinet, 13.6 x 4.5 x 3.1 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
This graceful and aesthetic, arching copper specimen has spinel twins, to 3.3 cm in length, emanating from a central spine. This is CLASSIC style for the Champion finds! It is , however, unusually elegant in its presentation. The patina color is a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) and this specimen can be viewed from more than one direction since it appears to be a floater. The back side is lightly covered in a crystal druse, probably calcite. Architecturally, this looks a lot like a fish skeleton and so you can see why the nickname "herringbone coppers" has been attached to these. A striking specimen, and a very stylish old classic . Out of all the Michigan coppers, this is really one of the few styles totally unique and recognizable to one specific mine. Absolutely elegant!
TUC10-C03 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 1600 Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan cabinet, 13.8 x 4.4 x 3.8 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
A curving, central spinel-twinned copper crystal, reaching nearly 9 cm in length, is the highlight of this specimen which has literally tens of spinel twin copper crystals in parallel growth supporting it on a pedestal. This graceful and aesthetic, arching copper specimen has dozens of spinel twins emanating from a central spine. This is CLASSIC style for the Champion finds! It is , however, unusually elegant in its presentation. The patina color is a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) and this specimen can be viewed from more than one direction since it appears to be a floater. The back side is lightly covered in a crystal druse, probably calcite. Architecturally, this looks a lot like a fish skeleton and so you can see why the nickname "herringbone coppers" has been attached to these. Striking specimen, and a very stylish old classic . Out of all the Michigan coppers, this is really one of the few styles totally unique and recognizable to one specific mine. This large specimen is of a size and quality to make it stand out dramatically from the crowd, and from other coppers. This specimen is a major, robust example.
TUC10-C04 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 1250 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan cabinet, 12.2 x 5.6 x 4.0 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
A complete floater, this copper specimen looks like a growing bush or tree with the top much wider than the base. The whole specimen is composed of spinel twins of copper, elongated and graceful, to 6.7 cm in length. The patina color is a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) with the brighter red possibly being a coating of cuprite.Another fine sculptural copper from this classic mine. Like others here, it has immediately recognizable, complex form that is very distinct in the mineral world from other coppers. This piece is a robust, complete-all-around display quality
TUC10-C05 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 950 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan cabinet, 13.2 x 2.7 x 2.4 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
Emanating from a central spine which itself is a giant, elongated spinel twinned copper crystal, are a series of parallel growth copper spinel-twins to 1.75 cm in length. The crystals have a patina colored a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) with the brighter red probably representing a thin coating of cuprite. In cross section, the specimen resembles a forest or a fishbone. Architecturally, this looks a lot like a fish skeleton and so you can see why the nickname "herringbone coppers" has been attached to these. Striking specimen, and a very stylish old classic . Out of all the Michigan coppers, this is really one of the few styles totally unique and recognizable to one specific mine.
TUC10-C06 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 250 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan miniature, 4.0 x 1.7 x 1.3 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
This is a doubly-terminated floater of a spinel twinned copper crystal , measuring 4.0 cm in length. The crystals have a patina colored a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) . Classic Champion Mine style, in this cute miniature. Note that many of these on the market are brightended by acid wash, but this remains in its natural patina and color.
TUC10-C07 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 125 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan thumbnail, 2.9 x 1.2 x 0.8 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
An exquisite, curving, doubly terminated, spinel twin of copper that is symmetrically shaped like a fish skeleton. A superb thumbnail for the mine, showing the classic style ! ELEGANT! In fact, one seldom sees such finely formed specimens in a thumbnail size from this mine. The crystals have a patina colored a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing)
TUC10-C08 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 250 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan miniature, 4.8 x 2.7 x 1.9 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
This "v" shaped cluster of two major spinel twins, smothered in smaller and filigreed offshoot twins, exhibits dendritic growth with a rich brownish-red color and good luster. The crystals have a patina colored a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) . The largest crystal is a spinel twin measuring 5.0 cm in length. Classic form and style!
TUC10-C09 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 350 Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan small cabinet, 7.2 x 3.2 x 2.3 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
A central spine comprising a single robust, elongated spinel twin copper crystal is host to parallel-growth spinel twins of copper, to 1.7 cm in length. The net effect is to give this lustrous, brownish-red specimen an intriguing, three dimensional appearance. Architecturally, this looks a lot like a fish skeleton and so you can see why the nickname "herringbone coppers" has been attached to these. Out of all the Michigan coppers, this is really one of the few styles totally unique and recognizable to one specific mine. The patina color is a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing); and this specimen can be viewed from more than one direction since it appears to be a floater. The back side is lightly covered in a crystal druse, probably calcite.
TUC10-C10 - Copper (spinel-twinned) - $ 400 SOLD Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan miniature, 5.1 x 2.6 x 1.8 cm ex. Robert Nowakowski
ELEGANT! In fact, one seldom sees such finely formed specimens in a miniature size from this mine. Most are bigger and bulkier. This features a central, curving, doubly-terminated, spinel twin of copper, measuring 5.1 cm in length. This graceful core crystal is offset at right angles by smaller parallel-growth spinel twin crystals. The crystals have a patina colored a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing) which was so classic for these pieces. Aesthetic! All Content and Design ©1996-2010 The ArkenstoneBy-species Galleries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
