FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jordi Fabre]

Internet often gives us delicious surprises. Today while searching for something else I have happened to find this little jewel with the history of the first times of this mega-Show from a personal vision, full of endearing anecdotes:
https://www.interweave.com/article/jewelry/tucson-show-guide-posts/tucson-shows-got-start-history/

Do not miss the photos, a lot of history in each of them...

[Don Lum]

Re: Tucson Show 2018

[Don Lum]

Re: Tucson Show 2018

[bob kerr]

[Don Lum]

[bob kerr]

[Jordi Fabre]

A small acknowledgment to all those who, headed by Bob Kerr, have contributed to making this thread so interesting (getting closer to the 50,000 readings already)

Thanks to all who have participated. More participants next year, please! 😇

Jordi
PS: Don't miss our "big sister": Gail Spann's Tucson Adventures. February 2018 🤗

[bob kerr]

Thanks for the compliment, Jordi!

Having an extensive Tucson Show thread on your site kind of addresses an item I've mentioned to Wendell Wilson a number of times - that is, why not dedicate an entire MR issue to the goings-on of the Tucson Shows?? after all, it is THE main event of the mineral world - nothing is even close to it's depth and breadth.

As it stands now, we only get an MR article on "What's New" usually by Tom Moore. Tom is quite efficient but frankly he only scratches the surface of this mega-show - and frequently focuses too much on the elite dealers - or should I say to many elite dealers focus on Tom? (my opinion).. Why not solicit other attendees for brief (or even extensive) articles on the goings-on of the various Shows and venues? This seems even more needed as the number of smaller, excellent shows is growing as dealers avoid the three week HTCC show. Expecting Tom to cover all of these is not fair to him.

And these could/should not be limited to just "What's New" but also include observations and opinions like you - and others - write? they could be treated as "letters to the editor" to avoid any conflicts if necessary. I've not seen a letters to the editor secion in the MR for some time!!

just a thought - but I will continue to post on your site as long as it's around.

thanks again,
kerr, bob kerr

[Bob Harman]

In 2004 the MR had a whole supplement devoted to the 50 year history of the Tucson show. I think BOB K, you had best reread it or get that supplement from the MR website as it is readily available. As mentioned, the MR has, following each Tucson show, a column discussing "what's new in Tucson".
Not only this, but, pertaining to BOB K's specific suggestion, for the past several years, BRYAN SWOBODA, as part of Blue Cap Productions, has produced a whole CD discussing each of the big shows including a yearly whole CD on the Tucson Show. These CDs are included with the MR bimonthly issues. As an aside, on the CD, JORDI F has been shown in his dealership room when he attended the Tucson Show.

Between the MR 2004 whole supplement devoted to the 50 years of the Tucson Show, the yearly "what's new" column, and the yearly whole CD devoted to the Tucson Show, I think the MR has done a really good job of covering the show. Maybe for the show's 75th and 100th anniversary another supplement will be in order. BOB

[bob kerr]

BOB H - the MR issue on the 50 year history of the TGMS show was indeed a good issue - but it doesn't address what I think an annual issue should:

- the 50 year history focused on the TGMS show only and as we all know it is only one of many shows now
- it also focused on the TGMS show's organization and people involved - not minerals or how the mineral hobby is changing
- it was issued in 2004 so clearly it has nothing to do with the last 15 years since - a time frame when things have changed drastically.

In case you haven't noticed, the annual DVDs "what's new in......" is in reality sponsored by many of the elite dealers and also to no one's surprise, the DVDs features them and their ultra hi-end specimens. It is essentially a form of advertising. don't get me wrong, I totally enjoy watching these videos but they focus on specimens that only the very top end collectors can dream of adding to their collection - and doing so at prices that the vast vast majority of collectors can't afford - or won't pay for.

So that leave's Tom Moore's annual article which as I mentioned only scratches the surface of the Tucson "Show". It also only briefly - if at all - discusses dealers and minerals that the vast majority of collectors buy and also does not offer insights/observations from various attendees.

k, bob k

[Bob Harman]

BOB K, I fully realize what you are saying and actually agree with you. However we should realize that the MR is a heavily underwritten glitzy and rather expensive periodical clearly geared toward the higher end collectors in the first place. The CD, advertising or not, is essentially the same.
Perhaps a periodical such as Rocks & Minerals, geared more towards the "bread and butter collectors", might be the way to go with your wishes ???
BOB

[rweaver]

When the MR first started out it was geared towards the bread and butter collectors. It is only over the last few years it has been geared towards the high end dealers and collectors. I know I am one of the few still around that miss seeing the older collections shown in the MR. I am one of those bread and butter collectors that built their collection up over almost 50 years working with a very limited budget. It is nice to see the minerals that I can not afford to buy, but I would like to see more of what I can afford shown in the MR.

[bob kerr]

the current editing staff of the MR has indeed oriented the periodical towards the higher end collectors - a decision I understand and have no problem with. I just happen to think that IN ADDITION TO THIS, it can and should focus more on the "bread and butter" collectors - especially for the Tucson Shows.

there has been a feeble (my opinion) attempt at this - the HQLP (hi quality low price) section - but it is quite small and doesn't cover much of what i'm talking about at all.

I guess "rocks and minerals" could indeed be a forum for this - but the FMF site for now is the best place for it.

bob

[Pierre Joubert]

The Tuscon show reports, although welcome, are overwhelming and drown out the other entries on FMF. It may be too complicated an affair, but I would like to see a separate topic column for Tuscon. Anyway, I may be barking up the wrong tree. That is just how I feel.

[dontgogreen]