Framed Fantasy Specimen plate

Item Description

A second piece from the RHC Collection, donated for the benefit of Mindat, is an original drawing by Mike Mathews, that was commissioned by Rock to be included in Rock’s – “World's Finest Minerals” folio that was produced as a limited edition run. The imaginary and fanciful collection was designed to entertain his friends and garnish accolades from the Fine Art world. The folio was well enough received by fellow mineral collectors that a second edition was produced, later. The Fine Arts world - yawned. It features a “matrix specimen” hosting a completely improbable group of minerals that would never be seen together in nature. Topaz shares space with Stibnite, Native Silver, Gold xtls, Argentite, Gem Dravite and more; all on a Native Silver slab. To cap the whole thing off, Rock alleged that it was from a rather unlikely location - “The Sutro Tunnel, Virginia City, Nevada”, combining three different geological jokes in one drawing. Thanks to Jim Walker for writing this up for the auction.