Sulfur Cianciana Mines, Cianciana, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy...
Sulfur Cianciana Mines, Cianciana, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy "A transparent 3 inch sulfur crystal. I don't think I know of a larger "gem quality" sulfur crystal. I traded this specimen from George Vaux collection at Bryn Mawr with Harold Arndt the curator at the time. Harold was very old and personally knew such people as Kunz, Vaux, Edward Dana, Sam Gordon and others." - Rock H. Currier As he pointed out, Rock was but one link in an unbroken chain of mineral aficionados that make mineral collecting what it is today. The lore and traditions are passed on from geezer to shiny-faced acolyte in an endless cycle, sometimes jumping a generation or two, but still finding fertile minds to infect with renewed vigor. Sadly, while collectors are a renewable resource, producing mines often are not. The Sulfur mines of Sicily were economically viable until the Frasch Process was developed; a process that put them out of business and closed the portals forever. This is a physical reminder that nothing is permanent and beauty is to be appreciated wherever and whenever you can. Per the notations on the Vaux label, this Sulfur was purchased from Foote in 1893. There is a custom acrylic base plus the original Vaux label. Overall Measurements: 3.5 x 2.0 x 2.0 inches (9.0 x 5.0 x 5.0 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Ex. Bryn Mawr College, Ex. George Vaux Collections [RHC #2725, acquired 1975] MinID L8W-4YY [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
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Sulfur Cianciana Mines, Cianciana, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy "A transparent 3 inch sulfur crystal. I don't think I know of a larger "gem quality" sulfur crystal. I traded this specimen from George Vaux collection at Bryn Mawr with Harold Arndt the curator at the time. Harold was very old and personally knew such people as Kunz, Vaux, Edward Dana, Sam Gordon and others." - Rock H. Currier As he pointed out, Rock was but one link in an unbroken chain of mineral aficionados that make mineral collecting what it is today. The lore and traditions are passed on from geezer to shiny-faced acolyte in an endless cycle, sometimes jumping a generation or two, but still finding fertile minds to infect with renewed vigor. Sadly, while collectors are a renewable resource, producing mines often are not. The Sulfur mines of Sicily were economically viable until the Frasch Process was developed; a process that put them out of business and closed the portals forever. This is a physical reminder that nothing is permanent and beauty is to be appreciated wherever and whenever you can. Per the notations on the Vaux label, this Sulfur was purchased from Foote in 1893. There is a custom acrylic base plus the original Vaux label. Overall Measurements: 3.5 x 2.0 x 2.0 inches (9.0 x 5.0 x 5.0 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Ex. Bryn Mawr College, Ex. George Vaux Collections [RHC #2725, acquired 1975] MinID L8W-4YY [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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