Graphite (3 specimens)

Item Description

A trio of distinctly different Graphite specimens from the Lead Hill Mines in Ticonderoga, New York. The first specimen measures 6.5 x 4.5 x 2.7 cm and features a highly lustrous, 1.8 cm, metallic, silvery platy hexagonal crystal of Graphite with additional smaller Graphite crystals on iron-coated Quartz matrix. The second specimen features slightly thicker crystals of the same silvery metallic quality which measure up to 1.2 cm across, but the matrix is grey-brown Calcite. The third and final specimen features dozens of small (up to about 3 mm) crystals of Graphite showing beautiful tabular form, intermixed with marble according to the matrix. The crystals on the last specimen look beautiful under magnification, and we've included some micro photos to show the quality. All three specimens were collected in 1981 by Bob himself! A great group of pieces of this fairly hard to find material from this old mining area which dates back to 1842.
The specimens are pictured (in black and white) in the Mineralogical Record, Vol 14, No 1, Pgs. 25-30 and the winner of this auction will receive Bob's personal copy of that issue of the magazine.
From the collection of longtime mineral collector Dr. Bob Lauf, the author of the Mineral Collectors Guide books (Schiffer Publishing), widely seen at mineral shows and libraries. Robert Lauf grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Illinois, ultimately receiving a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering. His scientific career included over twenty years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he conducted research on topics ranging from nuclear fuel, coal by-products, materials synthesis, microwave processing, sensors, optical materials, and biomineralization. He has been granted over forty U.S. Patents for his inventions, many of which have become successful industrial products. He is now a Registered Patent Agent and technology consultant.