[meteorite-list] My First Piece

From: MARSROX_at_aol.com <MARSROX_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:55:40 2004
Message-ID: <a8.4664cfb.29676bfa_at_aol.com>

I'm continuing to use the same subject heading, but my initial thoughts about
"My First Piece" were more along the lines of sex and guns. Is my Freudian
slip showing?

Like Bernd, as a child I shivered Christmas night in freezing northern climes
with my new present, a telescope. As far as space rocks went, they fell on
August 13 if you were allowed to stay up late. Museums owned meteorites, not
people.

A few years ago I was looking at USA Today while sitting on a beach in Mexico
and read a story about the first "Natural History Auction" being put on by
Phillip's in NYC. According to the story, a piece of Mars, "the Zagami
meteorite" was being offered. The manufacturers suggested retail value for 15
kg was "$2,200". A typo, but what did I know. One could own a real piece of
planet Mars?! Get out-of-here!

Rather than bid at the auction - the "winner" being the one who wants to pay
the highest price - I decided to track down the owner and buy direct.

"Hello, bro!" was the way Bob greeted me on the phone when I introduced
myself and told him that I wanted to buy some Zagami "if he had any left."

He did. "Do you know what price Zagami brought in a NY auction yesterday?
$500 a gram! I'm rich".

"You're a lucky man today" Bob went on. "I've got a beautiful 7 gm slice
sitting right in front of me. Wow! Look at that shock vein! It's got an edge
of shiny black crust......Killer, Man!!! You'll love it!"

"Sounds good, Bob. How much?"

"Well, I told you that it's your lucky day, man. You're the last person I'm
selling any to for the low price of $200 a gram." I felt lucky, worried (who
exactly was I sending $1,400 to?) and giddy. What do you exactly DO with a
"slice" (?) of Mars? How big is 7 gms.?

Not even waiting for it's arrival from Tucson, a few days later I bought
another "4.1" grams of Zagami from Russ Kempton (I don't think Bob was into
close measurements in those days, he just rounded down). I wanted to "get
more before they ran out."

My next purchase included (yes, at auction.....see what madness meteorites
bring) 1.8gms of Nakhla (no dogs allowed).

And through this serendipity, MARSROX was born.

Happiest New Year, health, peace and prosperity to all,

Kevin Kichinka
Received on Fri 04 Jan 2002 03:35:06 PM PST