Paracelsian (Rare - collected 1912) Sir Arthur Russell Coll.

Item Description

Paracelsean is one of the rarest members of the Feldspar Group, being barium-rich. It is known from only three localities worldwide (MINDAT)! The finest examples, by far, come from this extinct old manganese ore mine, intermittently active from 1886-1945. Most of the specimens were found prior to World War I. A striking, freestanding, terminated 9 mm glassy crystal dominates the miniature piece, which hosts numerous smaller crystals. VERY RARE with a super provenance, having been in the collection of Sir Arthur Russell, THE preeminent English collector of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The piece was acquired in 1912 by Russell - supposedly he selfcollected all of these, I was told. Previously in the F. Bauer and Thomas Progler Collections. Ex Wouter van Tichelen Collection. Value of this most classic and very rare old-timer??