FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[John S. White]

Another wonderful new book has just been published, this one in both English and German. A description follows:

Terra mineralia

In the autumn of 2008, “terra mineralia,” one of the world’s most important mineral collections was first presented to the public in Saxony’s well-known mining city of Freiberg. About 5000 minerals, gemstones, and meteorites are exhibited. This was possible because Dr. Erika Pohl-Ströher had given her extraordinary private collection to the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg as a permanent loan. During 40 years of collecting, Dr. Pohl-Ströher had assembled minerals from Europe, Asia, America and Australia and assorted them according to countries and localities. This assortment by geographical regions has been retained in the exhibit at the Schloss Freudenstein, where the collection can be seen today. Consistent with the exhibit, the TU Bergakademie Freiberg has now published the luxury edition "terra mineralia – highlights from the world of minerals." As an introductory chapter, the history of Schloss Freudenstein is described. From 2004 to 2007 the castle was reconstructed and renovated to provide room for the exhibit as well as for mining archives of the city of Freiberg. The concept and development of terra mineralia are described and illustrated by many photographs. As in the museum, the book invites you on a tour through the exhibit. The gorgeous photos bring the precious content of the glass cases to your home.

The tour starts in Germany, wandering from the Erzgebirge to Vogtland, through Siegerland and Sauerland to Westerwald and Hunsrück. Gorgeous specimens of native silver from Brand-Erbisdorf in Erzgebirge, or rhodochrosite from Herdorf, Siegerland will delight the reader. This is followed by a tour through Europe from England to Greece. A special chapter is dedicated to the minerals of Russia, showing mainly galena and calcite. The journey then leads to Asia. The variety of shape and colors of Chinese minerals is overwhelming, not to overlook the Indian and Afghan minerals, such as epidote and aquamarine, which surely match these. The African chapter visits Morocco, Malawi, Congo, Namibia, and South Africa. Vanadinite, cerussite, and wulfenite will impress your eyes. Coming from the American continent, gigantic amethyst druses make collectors’ hearts beat faster and also tourmaline, rutile and rhodochrosite specimens are spectacular. The world tour ends in Australia with wonderful photos of crocoite and opal. A special chapter deals with meteorites and their companions, like moldavites from Bohemia.

Altogether the book terra mineralia is a real visual pleasure and the best alternative for all those who have to postpone their trip to Freiberg.

Text by Andreas Fels

Terra mineralia – Glanzlichter aus der Welt der Mineralien, Editor: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Bode Verlag, Haltern am See 2008, 176 pages, many photos. ISBN 978-3-86012-347-8, 39,80 Euro

[bugrock]

Hello,

Would be very interested to learn how and where we can order the book. Is it available on the English Amazon site? Or will it be offered there soon?

Also, I would be interested to learn more about the mineral museums and displays available in the Freiberg region (are there old mine tours?). Has anyone in the discussion group recently visited the area? Please post photos if possible.


Thanks

George J Balogh

[John S. White]

There are indeed mine tours available in Freiberg and there are now two great museums with minerals to visit. An article about all of this will appear soon in Rocks & Minerals magazine, with photos. It is probably a bit early for the book to be offered on Amazon, but I am sure that ordering information will appear soon.

[John S. White]

I made a mistake in what I wrote above. The English edition of terra mineralia is not yet available but is scheduled to be produced next spring, in 2009.

Sorry about that.

[Debbie Woolf]

Is there a biography on Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher ? Can anyone point me in the right direction please ?

[John S. White]

Really good news for the linguistically challenged English only speaking mineral community. After unanticipated delays, the English language edition of "terra mineralia - Highlights from the World of Minerals" is now available. I received my copy at the Munich show last week. I will have to get back to this with ordering information, unless someone else steps in and provides those details.

[Tobi]