Manganite w/ Barite (circa 1880s) ex Trimingham Coll.

Item Description

Splendent, jet-black, well-striated, manganite prisms to about 1.6 cm fully line a sculptural vug in massive manganite with striking back "wall" of blocky, bladed barite from this famed locale. This historic, old-timer is NOT just a "black rock" by any means. These old pieces came out in about 1865-1890 (per the excellent 2010 Ilfeld article in The Mineralogical Record). Excellent crystals, good size, high luster and fine form the barite association make this an excellent and affordable small cabinet combination piece. Ex Bob Trimingham. Valued at $1500. Classic material. Large showy pieces like this are not readily available! He bought this from the great dealer Willard Perkin at the Cow Palace show in San Francisco, back in the glory days, in 1976.