Two nickel iron (IAB) meteorites with irregular surfaces and a composition of 92.9% iron, 6.7% nickel. 4.3 grams total, 18-20 mm

Discovered 1576 A.D., Chaco Province, Argentina.
Ex German dealer 2018.
UK private collection.

Accompanied by a previous dealer's identification card.

See Graham, Bevan and Hutchison ed., Catalogue of Meteorites, Natural History Museum, 1985, p.88, for details of this fall.

A crater field of roughly 26 craters was found in the vicinity of this crater, which is estimated to date to 4-5 thousand years BP. The age of the meteorite itself is thought to be c.4.5 billion years, formed as part of the development of this solar system. The largest two fragments, the 30.8 ton Gancedo and 28.8 ton El Chaco, are among the heaviest meteorite masses ever recovered on Earth. In 1576, the governor of a province in Northern Argentina commissioned the military to search for a large mass of iron, which it was believed local people claimed had fallen from the sky and which they used for their weapon production. The expedition discovered a large mass of metal which was assumed to be an iron mine and brought back a few samples, which were described as being of unusual purity. Following the legends, in 1774 Don Bartolomé Francisco de Maguna rediscovered the iron mass. He himself did not believe that the stone had fallen from the sky and assumed that it had formed by a volcanic eruption. However, he sent the samples to the Royal Society of London. In 1990 it became protected by law.

Restrung using polished Mammuthus primigenius bone beads. 115 grams, 68 cm long

From an old Lincoln, UK, collection.

Comprising several morphed 'desert rose' clusters of selenite blades. 585 grams, 14.5 cm

From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

From the lower jaw of Mosasaur prognathodon sp. displaying some teeth. 139 grams, 93 mm

From the phosphate mine region, Khouribga, Morocco, North Africa.
Acquired 1950s-1960s.
From an old Bristol, UK, paleontological collection.

Displaying a fossil Knightia sp. fish. 235 grams, 12.2 cm

Acquired during the 1980s.
From the Pradi Collection, Boston, U.S.A.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.

Comprising the positive and negative of the trilobite specimen. 93 grams total, 41-53 mm

From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Part of a lower jaw displaying Mosasaur Prognathodon sp. teeth. 165 grams, 79 mm

From the phosphate mine region, Khouribga, Morocco, North Africa.
Acquired 1950s-1960s.
From an old Bristol, UK, paleontological collection.

Comprising several different size ammonites, Gagaticeras or Promicroceras, on a nodule with some negative impressions. 688 grams, 12.6 cm

From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

Including at least one fly; with a polished teardrop-shaped body. 1.1 grams, 21 mm

Ex private UK collection formed in the 1980s.

Three large pieces of extremely fine lapis lazuli with good pyrite inclusions. 1.4 kg total, 7-11.7 cmExtremely fine condition.

Mineral Imports, London, UK.
Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).

Comprising two fish on a rectangular matrix. 869 grams, 22.3 cm

From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

Comprising two specimens with enamel; both repaired. 70 grams total, 52-57 mm

From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.