[meteorite-list] Armando's yearly anti-dealer/collector rant.

From: Martin Altmann <altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:26:18 +0100
Message-ID: <00ae01c76811$bd23a0f0$e46dfea9_at_name86d88d87e2>

> I believe that most of the historical meteorites of USA were
> confiscated by the government, not payed for, by the way.

Armando, you're misbelieving.
Take e.g. Henry Ward, he made his living in 19.th century in selling
artifacts and objects from the domain of science to museums (hence a classic
predator according your definition), also meteorites. His personal
collection was on display in the museum in New York, after his death they
,couldn't decide to take it over there, thus the Chicago museum bought it
and it was the cadre for the nowadays famous meteorite collection of the
Field museum.

Nininger, that man, who recovered as a result of his work the most
US-meteorites and bought them from the finders, was nothing else than a
meteorite hunter and dealing, trying to make his day with meteorites. He had
some sponsors, but he was selling his meteorites too.
And guess where the largest part of his collection went to?

I guess many list members here could enlighten you better about the
historical acquisitions in USA.

Huh, was it Brezina or Tschermak, who was almost fired from his job as
curator of the Vienna collection, cause he spend to much funds in acquiring
new meteorites?

Take the price compilation from Cohen from the end of 19th century, take the
lists from Ward.

Take the Institute of polar research in Tokyo, they don't have only
Antarctic meteorites, but purchased Walter Zeitschel's collection.

Meteorites were always sold and bought before too.

What a pity, that I didn't hear any answers fromyou on my recent mails.

Martin
Received on Fri 16 Mar 2007 05:26:18 PM PDT