Axinite-Fe (rare locality specimen) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection) (HISTORIC specimen!)

Item Description

A hard to find Axinite-Fe specimen from the skarn contact deposit at the Obira Mine in Bungo-Ono City, Japan. We've only had a few of these to offer in the past, and this is almost certainly the most robust and largest example we've had to offer in the auctions. The piece is filled with relatively thick (for the species), sharp, lustrous, greenish-brown colored crystals which have formed somewhat "feather"-shaped groups measuring up to 2.4 cm, sitting on massive Axinite-Fe matrix. The front / display side of the piece is in very good condition, with only minor imperfections that I can see with the naked eye. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #18192CL. This is an historic specimen, dating back to the early 20th century, as the catalogue entry from Chet states the piece is, "A former George L. English specimen from Harvard University thru the Curt G. Segeler collection & sold by Vandall King to Cile." The fact that this piece belonged to both George English and Harvard University adds serious pedigree, and makes it all the more desirable. I would put a value on this one around $2,500-$3,000 retail for the size, quality and historical significance.

Chet Lemanski was born 1947 in started collecting minerals circa 1957. He worked briefly as a drill runner at the famous Sterling Mine, in Ogdensburg, New Jersey and from 1987 to 1990 he helped convert the mine into a public access mining museum. He has held the role of treasurer, vice president and president of the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society (FOMS), and has been a board member and vice president of the Franklin Mineral Museum. The rare copper arsenate, Lemanskiite was named in his honor in 1999.