Pyromorphite on Plumbogummite (circa mid-1800s)

This is actually a rather large example for the material from the classic old finds of the early 1800s, a mineral once valued like gold among continental European collectors: A classic old specimen from the ancient lead mines in the Caldbeck Fells area, where mimetite is more common and large specimens of pyromorphite such as this are both old and rare, same with the plumbogummite. The white, locally orange iron-stained matrix has the entire display surface VERY richly covered with two-toned lavender plumbogummite crusts and some botryoidal aggregates. Small clusters and isolated crystals of bright, almost pistachio-green Pyromorphite in 1 to 5 mm, prismatic crystals are sprinkled on the contrasting plumbogummite for great composition. This is a large piece for the locality and in exceptional condition considering how old it is! Historically, this locality was one of the major sources of lead ore for the industrial revolution in Britain, so specimens like this were thrown into the ore carts at the time and were then typically described as a "phosphate of lead" as was typical naming for pyromorphite in the mid 1800s, and coordinates well with the time specimens like this were thought to have been found and preserved. Ex. A.K. Borland Collection, and he was a prominent mid-1900s English collector. Borland noted in handwriting on the back of his label that it was from the Allegheny College collection in Meadville, Pennsylvania (obtained circa 1850). Ex. Herb Obodda (who bought the collection) to Jack for $4000 in the 1990s. Jack had always wanted one of these but so few were pretty, so he obtained this quite late in his collecting life, attesting well to the rarity of such a specimen.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Plumbogummite, Pyromorphite

SizeCabinet

Dimensions12.1 x 6.8 x 5.7 cm

Locality

UK, England, Roughton Gill

Added on12/07/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2024/12