TSUMEB! (1977)

We are offering here an extremelly rare "The Mineralogical Record" publication from 1977 about Tsumeb with numerous b&w and color illustrations. This scarce publication contains the chapter "Folio: Tsumeb!", a photographic study of 122 specimens representing 81 mineral species from Tsumeb, with numerous color and b&w photographs of mineral species with their descriptions. Also contains a rare and valuable chapter on "The Kegel Collection" with a complete catalogue of all pieces in the collection.

"In 1949 the curators of the mineral collection at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, received a letter from Ernst Wohlgemuth of Switzerland. It said, in part: "The late Mr. F. W. Kegel, a national of South Africa and British subject, resident in Switzerland since 1932, has passed away on 8th August 1948. He left his entire estate to his wife, Mrs. Th. Kegel, who continues living at 'Bodanswart,' Landschlacht. Amongst certain possessions Mrs. Kegel has now decided to sell is a complete and unique collection of Tsumeb Minerals.

"The late Mr. F. W. Kegel had collected these minerals while he was Managing Director of OMEG, Otavi Minen- und Eisenbahngesellschaft, at Tsumeb, S.W.A., and brought them to Switzerland in 1932. I have been entrusted by Mrs. Th. Kegel with the sale of this collection. By ordinary Sea Mail I forward to you, registered, a complete catalogue of all pieces in the collection. You will judge by these lists that this collection would. for anyone interested, be a most valuable object to acquire."

(from the "Chapter VIII. The Kegel Collection" by John Sampson White)

"This book, nearly three years in preparation, is without doubt the single most comprehensive work ever published on Tsumeb. The seed was first planted when Dwight Weber suggested writing his article for publication in the Mineralogical Record magazine. The subject was so exciting that we eventually envisioned a project of larger scope. A list of desirable chapter topics was composed; in April of 1976 we began seeking out other knowledgeable authors and asking them to write specific chapters on subjects they knew best. Background chapters on history and geography were added to give perspective and a feeling for the country. Original research on Tsumeb minerals was solicited. With computer assistance, the 1147 Tsumeb specimens in the mineral collection of the Smithsonian Institution were located, studied and, in some cases, photographed to provide a reference base for editing and reconciling the work of the other authors. The concept soon outgrew the scope a regular issue of the Mineralogical Record; the result is the book you now hold in your hands.

The history has been summarized from the excellent but poorly circulated work by Söhnge (Tsumeb, a historical sketch) and has been brought up to date. Paul Keller, of the University of Stuttgart and a leading authority on the secondary minerals of Tsumeb, has contributed an illuminating and useful chapter on the paragenesis. Dwight Weber has compiled what is undoubtedly the most complete bibliography for the locality ever published. William Pinch, one of America's foremost species collectors and an accomplished part-time mineralogist, has described and discussed every species known to exist at Tsumeb; his descriptive list along with Weber's bibliography constitute an invaluable reference for both collectors and researchers. Charles Key, possibly America's top dealer in fine mineral specimens, has tapped his special knowledge to divulge the current resting places of many of Tsumeb's finest pieces, and also gives us a personal glimpse of Sid Pieters, Southwest Africa's leading collector. The photography has been assembled with special diligence and care. Many of the color photos and some of the black and whites are the magnificent work of German mineralogist Olaf Medenbach, a recent Ph.D. and co-author of the first description of the new Tsumeb mineral kegelite. Additional work by master photographers Nelly Bariand, Werner Lieber, Julius Weber, and others was graciously donated. Many of the species known to occur at Tsumeb are pictured, thereby providing a comprehensive visual reference for sample identification, and a feast of visual enjoyment for collectors. The research chapter is a gold mine (or perhaps we should say a copper mine) of data; a trio of new species from Tsumeb are described for the first time, and the knowledge of several other species is expanded by noted mineralogists such as Peter Embrey of the British Museum (Natural History), Richard Erd of the U.S. Geological Survey, Fabien Cesbron of the Sorbonne, and Pete Dunn of the Smithsonian Institution. Finally, a chapter is devoted to the many mineral dealers from whom collectors, researchers and curators may obtain Tsumeb specimens. A mineral index is also provided for reference.

It is conceivable that Tsumeb, as a source of minerals for research and display, will not survive long beyond the publication of this work. It would indeed be unfortunate if our words became the epitaph of the greatest of localities. Nevertheless, the preservation and dissemination of information on Tsumeb would then be even more important. Hopefully this work will serve as a practical, valuable and educational reference to collectors, curators and mineralogists interested in Tsumeb, and will stimulate further study of this unique deposit."

(From the "Preface" by Wendell E. Wilson, December 2, 1976)

CONTENTS:

- PREFACE
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I. INTRODUCTION by William W. Pinch;
II. GEOGRAPHICAL and POLITICAL BACKGROUND by Wendell E. Wilson;
III. HISTORY by Wendell E. Wilson;
IV. GEOLOGY by Dwight Weber and Wendell E. Wilson;
V. MINERALS: A DESCRIPTIVE LIST by William W. Pinch and Wendell E. Wilson;
VI. PARAGENESIS by Paul Keller;
VII. THE BEST OF TSUMEB by Charles L. Key;
VIII. THE KEGEL COLLECTION by John Sampson White;
IX. SIDNEY PIETERS; A PERSONALITY SKETCH by Charles L. Key;
X. FOLIO: TSUMEB;
XI. RESEARCH:
   - BLUE WULFENITE FROM TSUMEB
     by Peter G. Embrey, Pete J. Dunn, and Andrew M. Clark;
   - KEYITE, A NEW MINERAL FROM TSUMEB
     by Peter G. Embrey, Eva E. Fejer, and Andrew M. Clark;
   - LUDLOCKITE, A NEW MINERAL FROM TSUMEB
     by Peter G. Embrey, Max H. Hey, and Richard J. Davis;
   - LEITEITE, A NEW MINERAL FROM TSUMEΒ
     by Fabien P. Cesbron, Richard C. Erd, Gerald K. Czamanske, and Hélène Vachey;
   - SCHULTENITE FROM TSUMEB: A NOTE ON ITS MORPHOLOGY
     by Peter G. Embrey, and R. Paul Hicks;
   - MALACHITE INCLUSIONS IN CERUSSITE FROM TSUMEB
     by Ed Ruggiero;
XII. MINERALS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE by Dwight Weber;
XIII. DEALERS;
CHAPTER AUTHORS' ADDRESSES;
MINERAL INDEX.

Illustrated softcover; Text in English; Collation complete - Title page, 128 pages, with numerous color and b&w illustrations; Softcover binding is strong, tight and firm, with some bumping and slight surface scratches, extremities slightly worn, overall in very good condition. Lower corner of the text block slightly bumped. Interior is in immaculate condition, apparently this volume has never been opened before us. A near fine copy.

IMPORTANT informations regarding shipping: Shipping to South Africa possible via national post ($40) or Fedex/DHL Express service ($80-120). Shipping to EU & UK via registered Airmail trackable parcel ($30-40). Shipping to US via DHL/Fedex ($80-120). For other countries please ask.