Dear Meteorite-list members,
R. A. Langheinrich Meteorites has four exceptional one-of-a-kind meteorites on offer in tomorrow's Butterfields auction in Los Angeles. The lots are a large 2.3 kg oriented Taza with flow lines, two vintage historic Canyon Diablo irons with original Nininger numbers, and a 7.5 kg complete slice of Rio Limay -- one of the largest stone meteorite slices in the world. Of special interest is an original invoice from Nininger's American Meteorite Museum, which accompanies Lot #315. Absentee bids will be accepted, but there is no live online bidding. If you wish to place a bid in the auction, please visit this page to register: http://www.butterfields.com/areas/nh/7427x/7427x.htm Here are excerpts from the catalog descriptions of these lots, and links to the pages where photographs can be seen. Lot #319 Taza iron meteorite Oriented 2,304 grams A superb 2,304 gram Taza, shield-shaped on one side, and exhibiting flow lines -- both classic features of an oriented meteorite. Taza is a plessitic octahedrite iron, and was recovered from the deserts of Morocco. Although many individual specimens were found, most were very small averaging several grams in weight. This exceptional individual carries a reddish-orange desert and is one of very few large oriented Taza irons to have been offered for sale. See this item here: http://www.butterfields.com/areas/nh/7427x/detail/7427x-319.htm Lot #314 Canyon Diablo iron meteorite (IAB) >From Meteor Crater, Coconino County, Arizona Nininger number #34.4578 2,615 grams The most famous meteorite-related structure on Earth is, without doubt, Arizona's Meteor Crater, located east of Flagstaff in the American Southwest. Meteorite specimens recovered from the desert around the crater are known as Canyon Diablo irons, after a nearby geographical feature. The massive, well-preserved crater is thought to have been formed 20,000 to 50,000 years ago by an enormous iron meteorite, most of which vaporized on impact. Fortunately, the dry Arizona climate has allowed many fragments to survive, although the crater is on private land, and meteorite hunting is not permitted. The situation was very different in 1939 when H. H. Nininger the "father of meteoritics" began surveying the crater with a magnetic rake attached to the back of his car. Nininger studied Meteor Crater (then known as the Barringer Crater) for years, and built a meteorite museum close by. Specimens collected by Nininger were meticulously recorded, and each was given a unique catalog number. These delicate "Nininger numbers" were hand painted with a fine brush, and specimens -- such as this fine Canyon Diablo iron -- which bear such numbers are extremely hard to come by and highly prized by collectors and institutions. This excellent meteorite carries the number 34.4578, has a very attractive orange desert patina, and is both an outstanding example of a classic iron and a highly desirable historic specimen. See this item here: http://www.butterfields.com/areas/nh/7427x/detail/7427x-314.htm Lot #315 Canyon Diablo iron meteorite (IAB) >From Meteor Crater, Coconino County, Arizona Nininger number #34.4944 10,080 grams This substantial Canyon Diablo iron weighs slightly over 22 pounds and, like the previous lot, is a rare numbered piece from H.H. Nininger's American Meteorite Museum collection. Large Nininger irons are very rare indeed and historic specimens of this size and quality are almost never offered for sale. Of particular interest is the original invoice which is offered along with the specimen, and which gives this meteorite an ironclad provenance. A private collector purchased this iron directly from the Nininger family, and it is one of only a handful of these vintage specimens which is still accompanied by its original paperwork. A very rare opportunity to acquire a sizeable and impressive historic American iron meteorite. See this item here: http://www.butterfields.com/areas/nh/7427x/detail/7427x-315.htm Lot #304 Rio Limay stone meteorite slice (L5) Rio Negro, Argentina 7,500 grams This astonishing complete slice from the gigantic Rio Limay stone meteorite is not only one of the largest slices ever offered for sale, it is one of the largest in existence. Cut and polished to the very highest standards by expert preparator Allan Langheinrich, this slice -- almost of tabletop dimensions -- has been diamond lap finished to bring out its exceptional details. This meteorite's colorful interior displays evidence of severe shock -- a testament to its violent past in the asteroid belt -- which include deformed chondrules, granulated minerals, and melt features. A truly spectacular item, packed with colorful details, and one of the most impressive meteorite specimens of its type in the world. See this item here: http://www.butterfields.com/areas/nh/7427x/detail/7427x-304.htm Thanks for your interest. Sincerely, Iris Lang www.nyrockman.com www.langsfossils.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
