FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Joan Massagué]

The Folch collection is a powerful magnet for serious collectors. On the last Monday of 2008 I was fortunate to visit it in the company of Carles Millan, Joan Massagué and his wife, Roser Salavert. Joan Massagué is a world leader in cancer research, and he and Carles were fellow field collectors back in the 1970s. The visit was possible thanks to the kindness of the Folch family, in spite of their tight holiday schedule.

The experience was for me a real treat, not only because of the exceptional quality of the Folch collection but also because of the company of three passionate mineral collectors who enjoyed the visit as much as I did.

Joan Massagué has kindly agreed to post his impressions about the Folch collection, enriched with his own pictures and those of Carles Millan. Enjoy!

Jordi Fabre


The city of Barcelona is blessed with many graces, not the least of which for us mineral collectors is the fact that it hosts the Folch Mineral collection. The Folch collection was arguably the premier private mineral collection built in the 20th century. Assembled by Joaquin Folch i Girona between 1900 and 1984, the collection is an awe-inspiring ensemble of about 10,000 specimens, plus a side collection of about 15,000 "duplicates".

The main collection boasts hundreds of what some would call "killer" specimens, as we had the privilege to see in a recent visit. But the interest of the Folch collection goes well beyond its trophy pieces. Indeed, this is a mineralogist's collection. It is rich in specimens from practically every important known locality up to the third quarter of the century. The collection is displayed in an ample hall of classic decor and sits in immaculate, well lit cases that Joaquin Folch had custom built half a century ago. Approximately one thousand of the larger and most spectacular specimens are displayed in this series of horizontal and vertical showcases, and the rest of the specimens sit in drawers.

The overall quality of the Folch collection is such that many of the specimens that are relegated to the drawers would easily rank among the very best in the miniature and small cabinet size. Saying that the collection is rich in classic specimens would be an understatement. The entire collection is classic, and a class act.

Joaquin Folch i Girona was born to a family of wealthy industrialists and was endowed with substantial financial resources and blessed with a long existence. But resources and time alone would not have been enough to create a collection like this. Above all it was Joaquin Folch's combination of passion, knowledge, determination, and shrewd negotiating skills that produced such a collection. These qualities accompanied him for his entire life. He died in 1984 at the age of 92.

Joaquin Folch son first and grandchildren later have inherited the collection. Yet we are indebted to them for creating a foundation that preserves the Folch Mineral collection intact and in pristine condition, and keeping it as a proud if inconspicuous presence in Barcelona.

Joan Massagué

[Gail]

What an incredible treat you are sharing, thank you so much!!!!

[Joan Massagué]

I have now unloaded from my camera more pictures, and here is the second installment. Enjoy!

[Carles Millan]

Here are several more pictures. Most specimens are not as good as the ones posted above, but I think some people might also be interested in them.

[Carles Millan]

A slightly different view of the room where the collection is displayed.

[Jordi Fabre]

As from different reasons some photos from Joan and Carles were not published here, I worked with them (with the great help of Mr. Photoshop) and I publish them now, to complete the vision of Joan and Carles of their visit to the collection.

Jordi

[Joan Massagué]

Those interested in a more complete description of the Folch collection are referred to the following recently published article:
Curto Mila, C. and Fabre Fornaguera, J. 'The Joaquin Folch Girona mineral collection, Barcelona, Spain" Rocks & Minerals 84 (6), 530-542, 2009.

[Jordi Fabre]

Yes, and we have great news. It seems that Rock & Minerals selected this article for its new renewed web page, so on the future it will be displayed there. I will warn everybody when it happens.

More infos about Folch collection here -> https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?t=244

[keith]

NICE !!!!


Thank you for sharing

Great pics

[jimB]

For most of us this will have to do, thank you for the pics. Jim

Fantastic!

(To think, there are 24,960 more just like these.)

[Asnia]

thank you for the photo. They are really wonderfull.