KRa-59
Miargyrite (Type Locality)
Neue Hoffnung Gottes Mine, Braunsdorf, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany (TL)
Miniature, 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 cm
Ex. Smithsonian Institution; Carl Bosch; Kay Robertson
SOLD
This sparkly matrix specimen shows off nicely defined, textbook-sharp Miargyrite crystals from the Neue Hoffnung Gottes Mine, the Type Locality. The lustrous to matte, gray-black Miargyrite crystals to 5 mm are scattered on a drusy Quartz matrix, and are attractive for what they are. This old-time miniature from Freiberg has outstanding provenance, and any quality specimen from here is hard to find. Kay purchased it from the legendary dealer, Walt Lidstrom, in the 1971 Tucson show. This is 1800-s era material from the Carl Bosch (1874-1940) and Smithsonian collections. Bosch was known for collecting quality, big or small in any size. Note that this specimen includes his custom gold foil on black leather display label, which is said to have gone with his particular favorites, many of which were on display in his home. These labels are precious, few, and seldom seen for sale. The provenance is very important: http://minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=205. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1931 for his work on high-pressure ammonia (fertilizer) synthesis.