The Lindsay Greenbank Collection: Classic Minerals of Northern England

The Lindsay Greenbank Collection:
Classic Minerals of Northern England

I am truly honored to begin offering online now, specimens from the collection of Lindsay and Patricia Greenbank of Kendall, England. Their collection of fine quality aesthetic specimens illustrates, in breadth and beauty both, the history of this important mining district. I felt that the collection was of such importance, and educational value, that I worked with the Greenbanks and with The Mineralogical Record for over a year and a half to bring a book to the public (given out for free to give back to the hobby, to all subscribers of the Record ). I hope that by preserving this legacy in print, it will inspire others to follow suit with important locality and historic collections. Approximately 150 specimens, over several updates, will now be offered for sale through this site.

The Lindsay Greenbank Collection:

Classic Minerals of Northern England

by Wendell E. Wilson (editor), Published by Mineralogical Record, 148 pp, 2010

This special supplement to the January-February 2010 issue is devoted to the mines and minerals of northern England, an area that many American collectors are not especially familiar with. And yet, it is a region containing many famous localities: names that resonate with collectors but have carried a certain mystery. Illustrated in color with over 100 superb specimens from the uniquely comprehensive and well-documented collection of Lindsay and Patricia Greenbank, this book documents enough detailed background, history and mineralogical information to qualify as an important reference work for the serious collector. Maps, crystal drawings, old historic specimen labels, and 40 locality photos old and new give life and depth to the story.

CLICK HERE to order from	www.MineralogicalRecord.com

CLICK HERE FOR excerpt from the Introduction, by Mick Cooper

CLICK HERE FOR BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, by Mick Cooper

CLICK HERE FOR BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, from

MineralogicalRecord.com

Please see this fun advertisement which sums up the romance of historic English classics so nicely (dated January, 1895):

THE BEAUTIFUL, RARE, AND CHOICE MINERALS OF ENGLAND.

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US$ € EURO ¥ YEN £ POUND CAN$ AUS$
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page 1 / 5 - 67 specimens selected - next - bottom - back to the Galleries

LGC-61 - Pyrrhotite - $ 900
320-325 level, Cambokeels Mine, Weardale, Durham, England
miniature, 3.4 x 2.0 x 1.4 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This is an aesthetic miniature composed of splendent, brassy yellow, pyrrhotite crystals to 1.7 cm in length. The crystals, intergrown , are elegant and slightly curving. Found in 1990 at the 320-325 level of the Cambokeels Mine in Weardale: Pyrrhotite is in fact extremely rare in the UK and these distinct crystals are significant for the species from this country. More than that, they are uniquely pretty and aesthetic, as well.

LGC-60 - Hilgardite with Boracite - $ 900
215 panel, Boulby Potash Mine, Loftus, Cleveland, England
small cabinet, 6.4 x 4.7 x 2.7 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This is a solid intergrown boracite matrix lined with lustrous and translucent, light blue-green boracite crystals to 5 mm across. Atop, it has a 2x3 cm window-like vug which is lined with lustrous, orange hilgardite to 2mm across. Both species are here in excellent representation and in fact the hilgardite is unusually well-crystallized.

LGC-56 - Witherite with Alstonite - $ 6000
Fallowfield Mine, Hexham, Northumberland, England
small cabinet, 7.3 x 7.0 x 6.1 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This large display specimen showcases a superb, 5.5 cm-long lustrous and translucent, milky-white crystal of witherite perched ato. The termination does exhibit very minor bruising but this lok sto me old wear, only, and is hard to see . Along with the specimen comes an old late-1800s Century label from the dealership of Boubee, Paris. These English witherites are significant for the species, and such large and isolated crystals are uncommon. As a bonus, this specimen is richly associated with the rare species alstonite, from this co-type locality. formerly exchanged out to the (well-noted) Eric Asselborn collection, much of which I also purchased a few years ago.

LGC-55 - Boracite - $ 2500
Boulby Potash Mine, Loftus, North Yorkshire, England
small cabinet, 6.7 x 6.4 x 5.8 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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Lustrous and frosted, light green boracite crystals to 5 mm totally comprise this entire and very rich specimen. Recovered in 1993 by the mine surveyor, this is a significant, concentrated mass of sharp tetragonal crystals showing the classic form of boracite from this locale. Interestingly, these large nodules present a mining hazard because their hardness can damage equipment when veins are (were) hit.

LGC-54 - Scheelite - $ 900
Carrock Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
miniature, 4.7 x 4.1 x 2.4 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This is a very rare locality piece! It is a solid specimen of scheelite embedded in quartz, featuring a 2-cm-long lustrous and translucent, tan-colored crystal of scheelite (with other massive scheelite present). Collected in 1965 by Lindsay Greenbank from the hanging wall of the haulage level Harding vein, Carrock Mine.

LGC-52 - Scheelite on Quartz - $ 1800
Smith vein, Carrock Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
cabinet, 10.0 x 7.8 x 6.4 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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Scheelite on Quartz from Smith vein, Carrock Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg52b.jpg]

Scheelite on Quartz from Smith vein, Carrock Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg52b.jpg]

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Scheelite on Quartz from Smith vein, Carrock Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg52c.jpg]

Scheelite on Quartz from Smith vein, Carrock Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg52c.jpg]

Embedded in a milky quartz matrix is a lustrous and translucent,orangy-brown scheelite crystal measuring 3 cm in length. This is of exceptional color and size, for England. Fragments of other scheelite crystals are also present. From the Smith vein, Carrock Mine Caldbeck Fells. Ex Barstow collection after 1982 and Ralph Sutcliffe collection until 1991. Both of their labels accompany the specimen. I am told this was certainly an older piece, even when Barstow obtained it from an unkown old collection which he never revealed, though how old is unknown at this time. In any case, its a BEAUTY by English scheelite standards! Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 27

LGC-49 - Calcite included with Erythrite - $ 2000
Tynebottom Mine, near Garrigill, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
small cabinet, 7.9 x 5.3 x 3.0 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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Calcite included with Erythrite from Tynebottom Mine, near Garrigill, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg49a.jpg]

Calcite included with Erythrite from Tynebottom Mine, near Garrigill, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg49a.jpg]

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Calcite included with Erythrite from Tynebottom Mine, near Garrigill, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg49c.jpg]

Calcite included with Erythrite from Tynebottom Mine, near Garrigill, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/lg49c.jpg]

A deep magenta color makes this piece gorgeous, and simply a strange color to see in English minerals. It turns out that inclusions of erythrite (i.e. cobalt) inside the calcite are responsible for the shocking hot pink color here. I have not seen many for sale, ever...I am told this was a small dripstone formation collected only sporadically, a long time ago. This piece was collected in 1974 by Greenbank family friend Anthony Walshaw, when exploring old workings in the Tynebottom mine. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 69, as a full-page photo. A closeup of this piece is also shown in a panel of photos on the front cover of the book.

LGC-47 - Fluorite - $ 3500
Rogerley Mine, Frosterley, Weardale, County Durham, England
cabinet, 11.5 x 8.6 x 4.8 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This excellent, recently mined specimen features, several, glassy and gemmy, emerald green, penetration twins to 2.25 cm across. All are perched on a solid limestone matrix. This specimen comes from recent workings at the only mine in England currently being run exclusively (and legally) for specimens, the Rogerley Mine, Weardale as mined by U.K.Mining Ventures. This company, led by American investors, continued the legacy began by the Greenbanks and their partners here in 1975. So, Rogerley pieces are an important part of this collection. This material is super fluorescent, and fluoresces a rich purple color even just in daylight. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 94. A large and beautiful specimen - and because they are mined recently, about the only such large and beautiful English material that will not break the bank to own. Buy them now, is my advice, before this too passes....the mine almost shut down and only kept going by a lucky find at the end of the last season.

LGC-46 - Pyromorphite - $ 800
High Level of the Mexico Mine, Roughton Gill, (South) lode, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
thumbnail, 1.6 x 1.5 x 1.4 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This was the only truly fine pyromorphite thumbnail in the collection (in fact, one of a very few thumbs, period). It is a special, sharply formed crystal that was mined from Barstow's Trench: an open cut exposure of the vein at high level Mexico Mine, Roughton Gill South. The specimen is basically one big crystal with a small cluster of lustrous and translucent crystals on one side which adds depth. Collected in the mid 1970's by Lindsay Greenbank, while working "Barstow's Trench" with his friend. It has a superb lustre and 3-dimensional form, making this an exceptional specimen and a world class English thumbnail. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 35 (Joe Budd photo shown here, atop)

LGC-44 - Pyromorphite - $ 3500
Roughton Gill Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
small cabinet, 7.3 x 5.3 x 4.5 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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A vuggy quartz matrix is the host for lustrous and translucent, apple-green crystals of pyromorphite, to 5 mm. This was mined in Roughton Gill in the mid-1800s and supplied by Bryce M. Wright Sr.: the top English mineral dealer at that time. The specimen went through two German collections and an unidentified German museum, before bein grepatriated. Note that one of the old labels mentions Hausmann! Could it be from his collection? The upper label shown is the Bryce Wright label, in his characteristic script. More than history an dpedigree, though, what makes this a valuable piece is simply that it is big, richly covered, and attractive. Such pyros are few and far between, from the English Isles. This piece has a long history back to the mid 1800s, and was sold from the eminent dealer of the time, Bryce Wright Sr., to British Museum in 1860. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 47, as a full-page photo with its old labels.

LGC-43 - Calcite Heart twin - $ 9500
Gillfoot Mine, Egremont, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
small cabinet, 9.0 x 8.0 x 4.5 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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Calcite Heart twin from Gillfoot Mine, Egremont, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/LG66-Calcite-GillfootMine-England_2350v2.jpg]

Calcite Heart twin from Gillfoot Mine, Egremont, Cumberland, Cumbria, England [db_pics/greenbank/LG66-Calcite-GillfootMine-England_2350v2.jpg]

This large and classic "heart twin" of calcite exemplifies the highest qualities in one of these beauties: it is glassy and gemmy , and shockingly colorless. Only a small amount of hematite stains the base of the twin - in this case an aesthetic accent and not distracting as I find most 6of them that are too included and thus murky. A few smaller calcite crystals are perched on the back side of the twin, as well. Ex Pohndorf collection in 1940; then to E. Mitchell Gunnell and still with his label attached. This is another large, classic, and superbly aesthetic calcite twin from the Greenbank collection , which will be remembered for this notable suite. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 120 (Joe Budd photo, shown here). Joe Budd photo

LGC-40 - Hilgardite on Boracite - $ 1500
Boulby Potash Mine, Loftus, North Yorkshire, England
miniature, 5.5 x 3.5 x 2.8 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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Emplaced on a vuggy matrix of massive boracite is a druse of lustrous, salmon colored crystals of hilgardite. These are quite rich and wellformed for the species, and are color-contrasted and associated with small, glassy, light blue boracite druse. Hilgardite is a rare, hydrated, calcium, borate. Recovered in 1993 by the mine surveyor, this is a significant specimen with large crystals for the species, and quite displayable. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 56, as a half-page photo (Joe Budd photo, shown here atop).

LGC-39 - Calcite with manganese & hematite inclusions - $ 2850
Banana Slide, Haile Moor Mine, Egremont, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
small cabinet, 7.9 x 6 x 5.5 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This unusual cluster of calcite crystals shows sharp colors and contrasts. The crystals, to 4 cm in length, are prismatic and have dispersed and attractive red hematite staining the lower 3/4 of the crystals. The terminations are colorless and transparent, but have sharp black dendritic manganese inclusions which add a very unusual accent to the piece. From the infamous Banana Slide area, Haile Moor Mine . Obtained from miner Arthur Scoble , purchased in 1994. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 124

LGC-38 - Calcite on Quartz stalactite - $ 1800
Slitt Vein, Black Dene Mine, Ireshopeburn, Weardale, County Durham, England
cabinet, 12.6 x 7.3 x 5.3 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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Aesthetically perched high on an unusual and elegant stalactitic quartz matrix, are two doubly terminated and complete-all-around disclike crystals of calcite, to 6 cm across (technically, flattened rhombohedrons). The calcites are lustrous, and translucent with an ivory color. The quartz matrix is coated with minor calcite and ankerite on front, and sparkling free of association on back so it looks good from either side. From the Slitt vein in Blackdene Mine, where it was in the collection of miner W.M. McGuire by the late 1960's when it was acquired by the Greenbanks. Illustrated in the Greenbank Collection book, page 74 (Joe Budd photo, shown bottom left)

LGC-33 - Calcite - $ 7500
Bigrigg Mines, Cumberland, Cumbria, England
small cabinet, 6.6 x 5.1 x 4.0 cm

ex. Lindsay Greenbank

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This is a superb group of "nail head spar" calcite crystals on matrix, highlighted by the large, thick crystal, measuring 4 cm in length. The crystals are glassy and gemmy, totally colorless and pristine. The piece has superb balance and display quality, combined with this condition, and is one of the most impressive such examples in its size class we have seen. It comes from the David Corse Glen collection in the Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow (by exchange out to Dick Barstow). It went from the Barstow collection in 1982 upon his untimely death, to the Ralph Sutcliffe collection, which went to the Greenbanks in 1991 . An outstanding and beautiful calcite that is both an old classic while still meeting modern standards of superlative quality! Illustrated in the Greenbank Collection book, page 113, along with another calcite from the same collection shown below (LGC-42). Joe Budd photo, atop

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page 1 / 5 - 67 specimens selected - next - top - back to the Galleries

Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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