FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[TomCotterell]

As part of my research into historic British mineral collectors I am trying to trace any specimens from Lady Charlotte Florentia Percy, nee Clive. Her collection was auctioned by Sotheby's in 1968 with the following buyers who I am trying to trace:

The most determined buyer was “Thomas, M. W.” (10 lots) referred to as “W. Thomas” in handwritten notes in an original catalogue. Other buyers included “Minerals Engineering” (3 lots), “Max Davis” (1 lot), “Vartenian” (5 lots), “Ulster Museum” (1 lot), “Seiferheld & Co.” [probably the New York-based art dealer] (1 lot), “Thornton, T. M.” (1 lot) and “Bizony, M. T.” (1 lot) (Sotheby & Co. catalogue, 9th July 1968).

I have already had a response from Ulster Museum and been informed of who M. W. Thomas is. I am also aware of the company Max Davis Stones, but all of the others have proved elusive to various internet searches. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Tom
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

[James Catmur]

Assuming they got dispersed - are there any old labels we should look out for?

[TomCotterell]

Oh, if only it was that simple!

Unfortunately, the whole collection was dispersed, so the first step is trying to find a genuine specimen and then hoping that it has a distinctive label associated with it.

Needle in haystack springs to mind. My hope is that some of the specimen might just have been sold on as "ex Duchess of Northumberland" because of the prestigious name, but in all likelyhood if a collector owner died and the specimens were not labelled they might have been thrown out, or their details lost.

Fingers crossed for a breakthrough.

[lluis]

Well, maybe too naive, but if sold in auction, buyers could be known. And for what you say, they are...
Then, taking in account that it is not too old in time, many would be still alive. And addresses be known. Just question to ask for them... In UK, I suppose that would not be a great trouble, coming from a known museum and with a good reason.,
Then contact this address, If changed, anyone will know where they have gone, so, just more time, but find sure...
If they have still items, well, some are found. If sold, they know name of buyer. So again more time, but they could be find....
Maybe not all could be, but most part, Just question of time and looking at documents...

Wish it was so easy in my country..... :-(

with best wishes

Lluís

[ian jones]

Hi Tom

M Thomas is definitely Morrison Thomas. I knew him well many years ago, we used to go up to Weardale buying rocks off the miners and collected together quite a bit. And yes, he did sell his collection to Oxford. Unfortunately lost contact many years ago, but Dave Lloyd might just still have his contact details, will ask him for you.

On another subject, have acquired some interesting Welsh bits since we last spoke. Will be in touch.

cheers ian

[TomCotterell]

Thanks Ian,

Morrison Thomas has several websites dedicated to his other passions - woodturning and acting - so I should be able to get in touch. However, it has been suggested by Brian Lloyd that he attended the auction on behalf of a mining company in which case the specimens might be harder to trace.

Good to hear that you have some more Welsh specimens. I look forward to seeing them.

All the best,
Tom

[TomCotterell]