[meteorite-list] By Popular Demand................

From: mexicodoug at aim.com <mexicodoug_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:17:38 -0400
Message-ID: <8CA6D0172A04B1D-146C-1640_at_FWM-D06.sysops.aol.com>

Hi Anne, Listees,

Until collectors start valuing a chain of title more than the naked
concept of authenticity, this looks like an uphill journey;). Anyway,
a partial chain of title might give some added comfort, but you hardly
can be sure until you have all the information from day one.
Especially when it is so far downstream.

I really can't understand the fixation on objects that have struck
biological or artificial things (though - it's a great tool to help
conserve provenance - and the epitome of this issue.) What I don't
understand is: if an eighth of a ton of material falls and a few pieces
of space gravel reputedly clang on a roof, etc. how does the entire
fall become "the one that hit the horse", etc.?

Can Santa Claus and his elves be recorded as a source? I thought he
built all of his presents in the Arctic ice somewhere. Like an
alchemist. Or, which dealers supply him? Seriously, frequently
meteorite gifts are given (an activity encouraged by many dealers) and
it is tacky to say where acquired - when all someone has to do is go on
a website to see what was paid, other more expensive ones (leads to I'm
not worth it, honey?), etc. And if someone got a present and then put
it on eBay, Santa might get his feelings hurt, if he were mentioned and
the seller might blush. I'm having fun with this post, but only to
point out another very serious challenge. People often like to be the
source of their gifts. You know the being "IT" syndrome - "having only
eyes for me". Maybe we need to work on "educating the public" against
this mild social taboo for this human patrimony, of not wanting their
loved ones to say they were the special ones that grabbed them the star
some enchanted evening.

Best wishes,
Doug


-----Original Message-----
From: Impactika at aol.com
To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com; gsac at gmx.net;
Altmann at meteorite-martin.de
Sent: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 5:07 pm
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] By Popular Demand................



Lots of mail in my mail-box today!!!

I have read every single email and concluded that the (private)
responses
were unanimously positive. Thank you to all of you for taking the time
to
write, I do appreciate.

Now let me try to answer some of the concerns voiced on the List.

Martin, I hope you have found your tranquilizer pills. Maybe a glass
of wine
will help, or a good night sleep. Yes, there is the problem (and risk)
of
competition. But we deal with a very special merchandise, not 2 pieces
are
exactly alike (not like shoes) maybe you have a slice and I have an
end-piece,
or
maybe your slice has an odd inclusion and mine does not. And we both
work
with rare historical pieces, there are very few examples of those on
the market

and the provenance is even more critical.
And on this subject, I intent to improve my listing of provenance, by
going
up further in the chain of ownership, when possible, and when I have
the
documentation. As we found out Saturday, knowing the last owner(s) of
a
particular piece is not always sufficient, just take a look at all the
names
you will
find on Bob Evans feedback on Ebay. So I will try to go further. One
example:
I listed the Moorabie as coming from Robert Haag although I bought it
from
Jason Philips but it came with Robert's label (Thank you Jason), so I
know it
originally came from him.

Alex, thin-sections is a different problem. Of course I can tell you
my
sources for the material used to make those thin-sections, but that is
not your

question, isn't it? I believe most collectors of thin-sections know
very well
who makes 90% of my thin-sections, he is a long time expert, and he
worked
for David New until David New retired last November. But, as part of
our
business deal, he has asked me not to mention his name. He has more
work than
he
cares for and he does not want all of you to beat a path to his door.
However,
I'll be glad to tell you that Steve Schoner has started making
thin-sections
too, and being a very careful, meticulous person, he is doing very
well. In
fact he made all the Ureilite thin-sections on my catalog (reference
number
begin with SS). Does that help?

If you have any other questions, please do ask.
Again thank you very much for all the responses.

Anne M. Black
www.IMPACTIKA.com
IMPACTIKA at aol.com
Vice-President of IMCA
www.IMCA.cc




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Received on Tue 15 Apr 2008 07:17:38 AM PDT