[meteorite-list] another Randall post

From: Martin Altmann <altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2007 19:44:58 +0200
Message-ID: <00e401c80452$ca5e34a0$177f2a59_at_name86d88d87e2>

Dear Randall,

meteorites in general are so exorbitantly rare - we're speaking about 600
tons in total, whereof 90% are covered by the 20 largest iron meteorites,
but on the other hand so cheap - that from an economical point of view,
they are so insignificant, that very most nations never though about
creating an own legislation for meteorites.

For evident reasons other existing laws, like for resources, treasure finds,
artefacts, natural monuments ect. can't be applied on meteorites.

E.g in Germany and Austria we had this year a court decision, which awarded
the third stone of the famous Neuschwanstein solely to the finder,
because no single one of the existing laws fitted, nor demonstrated the land
owner the will to accroach the stone, as they weren't searching for it at
all.

Therefore most of us would ask you kindly to be more careful with your word
choice.

If you want to bring forward moral arguments, keep in mind, that the largest
US-American and European institutional collections would have then to be
dissolved, as they were built up with bought pieces. The legal status of the
Antarctic meteorites isn't clarified neither.

More credibility would have your moral concerns at least to me, if you would
hand some additional money in to the land owners later,
as the material has to be evaluated somewhat higher than 0.5$/g.
(I personally woud guess, that - if not a considerably larger amount will be
found - collectors would pay 30-50$ per gram for usually dimensioned
slices).

My thoughts, only
Martin



-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von Michael
L Blood
Gesendet: Montag, 1. Oktober 2007 19:02
An: Meteorite List
Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] another Randall post

Gentlemen, (Please post to the list for me)
  
 
  
I have in total 4,740 gms. of the Carancas meteorite with an option for
another 500 gm. of material. Of this, a total of 259.6 gms. will be sold.
Fusion crusted material comprise a total of 128.8 gm. I consider this to be
legally mine, since I bought it from the land-owner and his family. The
stones purchased from the family were also blessed by a Catholic priest in
the town of Desagaudero. The rest I bought from thieves. Theft is wrong in
the eyes of the government and God.
  
 
  
The bulk of what I have, I consider it to be stolen and I will not sell any
until I talk to the land owner and work out an agreement. Just before I left
Desaguadero, I paid $2,000 for the 4 kilo piece from local authorities that
was collected (stolen) shortly after the meteorite fell. Any Carancas
meteorite over 50gms. that hits the market was obtained illegally. I want to
petition the court in Desaguadero to declare anything outside of what was
purchased directly from the family to be illegal. Australia and Brazil have
National Treasure laws, Peru has laws regarding archeological artifacts, and
the United States has private property laws. I will ask that the material
currently in scientific institutions be exempted and will ask the land owner
and the church in Desaguadero to allow them to keep what they have in the
interest of science. Imagine that a meteorite fell onto your property and
your local police, newspaper reporters and neighbors came in an took pieces
of this meteorite until there was nothing left for you. What would your
reaction be?
  
 
  
What is Ebay's policy regarding the sales of stolen material? Some people
will try to sell this stolen material on Ebay. My question to you,
gentlemen, is what moral responsibilites do meteorite dealers have and what
percentage of meteorites in the market do you believe to be stolen?
  
 
  
Randall
  


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Received on Mon 01 Oct 2007 01:44:58 PM PDT