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LOT 2670
Natural History - Historic 'Australia' Boulder Opal Mineral Specimen
1 1/2 in. (34.8 grams, 39 mm).
The matrix showing pale sky-blue opal, collection number 425, with an old James Walker label. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970.
From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent.
Accompanied by an original historic index file card.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2670
Natural History - Historic 'Australia' Boulder Opal Mineral Specimen
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
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Natural History - Historic 'Toussilte, Morocco' Anglesite Crystals on Galena Mineral Specimen
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Consisting of a cluster of yellow anglesite crystals on a galena matrix, collection number 551. 55 grams, 39 mm
Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Accompanied by an original historic index file card. -
Natural History - Rare Declivitous Titan Fossil Trilobite
Ordovician Period, circa 485.4-477.7.8 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Horseshoe-shaped body with a broad cephalon rim and genal spines that overhang the rest of the body; some restoration. 250 grams, 13 cm
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection. -
Natural History - Knightia Fossil Fish Plate
Eocene Period, circa 56-33 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
A roughly oval matrix with a Knightia alta fossil fish. 70 grams, 10.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Essex, UK, collector.
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.
