Native Arsenic with Bismuth, Erythrite and Covellite

Item Description

A wonderful old-time classic specimen from Schneeberg, Germany featuring a matrix of dark grey Native Arsenic which plays host to shining metallic silvery colored Bismuth crystals, along with a dusting on soft pinkish colored Erythrite and minor iridescent Covellite which can be seen in the exposed vug on the edge of the piece. Best seen under magnification, and very attractive in person. Collection #265.

This specimen is from the collection of Robert Ferguson, Esq., of Raith, the Scottish aristocrat and politician who lived from 1767-1840. Ferguson was the namesake for the species Fergusonite, and assembled his mineral collection from 1790 through 1830, though the bulk of his acquisitions took place from 1795 to 1805, thanks to his close relationships with most of the premier collectors and mineralogists of the day throughout Western Europe. Keep in mind that Ferguson built his collection during a time before mineralogy was a true science. Ferguson's collection was, "for richness and extent is surpassed by few collections of this sort in the kingdom” (Mineralogical Record, Page 170, Vo. 25, No. 6, 1994).

Ferguson was elected a member of the Royal Society in 1805 (after he was detained in France in 1804 by Napoleon during the war between England and France) and was a member and trustee of the newly-formed Geological Society, one of its first four Vice Presidents, serving between 1810 and 1815. All four Vice Presidents were Fellows of the Royal Society who had established large and important mineral collections; their patronage was therefore keenly sought in order to bestow prestige and credibility on the young Society.

Ferguson's life was not without controversy as he had a famous affair with Lady Elgin (the wife of Lord Elgin (of Marbles fame). In 1808, Elgin sued Ferguson, and was found guilty by the court and ordered to pay 10,000 Pounds for the demise of his marriage and public humiliation. For reference, this sum is roughly $4,600,000 in today's currency as a single British Pound was backed by .23 troy ounces of gold. Ferguson eventually married Lady Elgin and spent the rest of his life with her.

These specimens were acquired through a partnership between Rob Lavinsky (Arkenstone) and John Veevaert (Trinity Mineral Company) in May of 1998 to purchase the pieces from UK mineral dealers Gregory, Bottley and Lloyd. All of the specimens were sold in 1999, every one of them, though we recently re-acquired this piece (along with others in this auction) over 20 years later to proudly offer once again.