Wulfenite & Calcite (classic AZ - circa early 1900s)

Item Description

Lustrous and translucent, butterscotch-yellow, wulfenite prims, to 1.1 cm, are richly and aesthetically scattered on the very sculptural matrix of densely intergrown, glassy calcite rhombs, that have an unusual stacked, platy look, when viewed vertically. Hilltop Mine wulfenite is a relic of the early 1900s turn-of-century Wild West years in Arizona. Most specimens came out in the 1880s to WWI era. These remote mountains were so difficult at the time, that ore was brought out on the back of burros to get to market. Today, we seldom see specimens of wulfenite from this classic locality, but they do turn up in old collections from time to time. The John Albanese label dates from 1953-68. He was a prominent New Jersey dealer in the 1940s-60s. He passed away in 1969. This very fine and uncommon old-time combination has 360-degree viewabiltiy. From an East Coast collection. Valued at $1000 and worth it.