Linarite (circa early 1800s)

Item Description

We have records of Linarite being found in England by the early 1800s, although not identified as a new species (it was thought to be azurite, one would assume) before being named for smaller, Spanish crystals in the 1830s. Linarite was found in the Roughton Gill area of Cumberland, and also much more rarely in the Leadhills of Scotland, by the mid 1800s (again, we know of samples in the British Museum by that time, and several held by Lindsay Greenbank demonstrated this early history). This specimen could have been such an early find, although they were apparently found through the mid 1800s as well, in Scotland. This famous district is hugely important in lead minerals as (among others) the type locality for leadhillite and susannite; and host to many rare lead minerals, although perhaps none as gorgeous as the sparkling and saturated blue linarite. This is a very rich coating of flat-laying crystals, and would be considered significant for the locality. It was purchased out of an old collection, without prior labels, in 1995 by the late John Marshall, well known for his wide collection of old locality classics. His label notes that he might have had some doubt on the attribution (a perfectly reasonable concern) and therefore showed it to Lindsay Greenbank for confirmation (and Lindsay was the authority on the matter). The piece then passed to Tim Sherburn's collection. Tim, a well known and well loved San Diego based collector, specialized in the classics of the United Kingdom and treasured Scottish specimens in particular. This was his major Scottish linarite, and that says a lot. The value on his label reflects his valuation a few years ago, when he sold minerals as his illness progressed. Personally, we think it is worth quite a bit more as it is beautiful, rare, and impossible to replace.