Franklinite, Willemite & Calcite Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin...
Franklinite, Willemite & Calcite Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA "A sharp octahedral black franklinite crystal of about an inch perched up on a piece of matrix. Bought from Wayne Leicht. It was a specimen that he got from the Mitchell Gunnell collection." - Rock H. Currier Emory Mitchell Gunnell was by all accounts, "a piece of work" according to those who knew the reclusive and irascible dealer/collector. Whether that was true, or just vile slander spread by jealous competitors, remains to be seen. What is fact is that he had a discerning eye and amassed a collection of some 4,000 specimens that were the envy of many academic institutions. He particularly liked single crystals and specialized in them as a dealer. That fits neatly with the character of this sharp, single octahedron of Franklinite from the eponymous mine in New Jersey. The Franklinite is complemented by the presence of Willemite crystals in a groundmass of Calcite. It is assumed that being from Franklin, all but the Franklinite are fluorescent, but that has not been tested. Overall Measurements: 2.8 x 2.4 x 2.0 inches (7.0 x 6.0 x 5.0 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Bought from Wayne Leicht, Ex. Mitchell Gunnell Collection [RHC #5084, acquired 1987] [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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Franklinite, Willemite & Calcite Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA "A sharp octahedral black franklinite crystal of about an inch perched up on a piece of matrix. Bought from Wayne Leicht. It was a specimen that he got from the Mitchell Gunnell collection." - Rock H. Currier Emory Mitchell Gunnell was by all accounts, "a piece of work" according to those who knew the reclusive and irascible dealer/collector. Whether that was true, or just vile slander spread by jealous competitors, remains to be seen. What is fact is that he had a discerning eye and amassed a collection of some 4,000 specimens that were the envy of many academic institutions. He particularly liked single crystals and specialized in them as a dealer. That fits neatly with the character of this sharp, single octahedron of Franklinite from the eponymous mine in New Jersey. The Franklinite is complemented by the presence of Willemite crystals in a groundmass of Calcite. It is assumed that being from Franklin, all but the Franklinite are fluorescent, but that has not been tested. Overall Measurements: 2.8 x 2.4 x 2.0 inches (7.0 x 6.0 x 5.0 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Bought from Wayne Leicht, Ex. Mitchell Gunnell Collection [RHC #5084, acquired 1987] [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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