From: Chris Cochrane 
To: viewing_stones@triumf.ca 
Date: Friday, March 05, 1999 4:13 PM
Subject: Meteorite collectors in latest (March) Smithsonian magazine

>For viewing stone collectors interested in extraterrestrial material, the
>latest edition of Smithsonian magazine has a great article (pp. 90-100). It
>speaks little of the aesthetics of these stones, but it captures the
>zealous search by a number of professionals and serious collectors for what
>is a rare commodity. 
> 
>For the visual/aesthetic reference to meteorites, I would refer folks to
>the Butterfield's auction highlights catalog put together by Darryl Pitt, a
>prominent New York meteorite dealer, at
>http://www.theskyisfalling.com/auctionhighlights/catalog.html 
> 
>For geologic reference to meteorites and info on identifying them, check
>out a website at Univ. of Arizona referenced by the Smithsonian magazine:
>meteorites.lpl.arizona.edu.... (do NOT preface with "www."). This site
>notes,
> 
> ---BEGIN EXCERPT---
>To help determine if an unusual rock is a candidate for further
>examination, a set of questions is listed below which identify the most
>prominent characteristics of meteorites.
> 
>1.Does the sample have a black or brown surface? (Please, do not clean the
>surface or remove any adhering crust on a suspected meteorite sample.) 2.Is
>the sample solid, w/out pores or hollow vesicles? 3.Is the sample heavy for
>its size? Iron meteorites are very dense compared to most rocks on the
>Earth's surface. 4.If a corner of the sample is ground slightly, is the
>interior metallic silver? 5.Is the sample unlike other rocks in the area?
>6.Is the sample magnetic? Does it attract a magnet or deflect a compass
>needle? 
> 
>If you were able to answer "yes" to all of these questions, then your
>sample is a good iron meteorite candidate and warrants further
>examination.
> ---END EXCERPT---
> 
>The Smithsonian article indicates the almost maniacal efforts of collectors
>to locate and obtain these stones, including paying large sums for stones
>in order to encourage local residents to take the effort to find what is
>accessible within a meteorite field. The article talks about very high
>prices offered per specimen and per gram (some worth more than gold by
>weight)
> 
>Vast value in a newly-collected stone certainly distinguishes meteorites
>from most terrestrial viewing stones. The human relationship cannot but be
>affected by this. Whereas a plain rock with aesthetic interest might
>compare with a beloved pet, a meteorite in addition to being the beloved
>pet also carries instantaneous notoriety and requires serious protection
>from theft.
> 
>Meteorites differ from other viewing stones in being referenced by weight
>(as some indicator of intrinsic material value). They differ generally in
>not being exhibited on an individually designed stand. Instead, a spike
>arising from a piece of wood or Lucite or a flat, square-cornered board is
>typically used. Are they displayed more as "mineral exhibits" than as
>individual objects of artistic value? Japanese _suiseki_ and Chinese
>scholar's rocks seem more attuned to artistry through the uniqueness of
>their display stands. Are meteorites always been displayed with little
>individual attention? Probably not.
> 
>Among attributes, their origin (such as being broken off from Mars or
>Earth's Moon) is a great determinant of monetary value. One of Darryl
>Pitts's web descriptions explains that by finding gases trapped inside a
>meteorite which matched the atmosphere of Mars, its origin was determined.
>Fascinating! 
> 
>I think of the origin of a meteorite & try to compare it to other objects
>valued almost solely due to origin. How does a "from Mars" tag compare to
>"an artifact from the Titanic" tag or to worn suitcases or broken eyeglass
>frames in the US Holocaust Museum. All of these things have value (in
>differing degrees being monetary or emotional) based in large part upon
>their origin. Rarity also partially accounts for the value. Origin &
>rarity can each be associated with both emotional and monetary value. 
>Where the imagination is challenged to complete the gaps in an object's
>story, it carries emotional value which is enhanced by the uniqueness of
>the story. Neither a Titanic teacup, a Holocaust victim's eyewear nor a
>stone (whether terrestial ot extraterrrestial) carry artistic value,
>however, unless "beauty" is engaged from the viewer's perspective. 
>
>By definition, a _suiseki_ and Chinese scholar's rock must exhibit beauty
>for its collector. As we all know, many viewing stones that are collected
>only a mother could love for their "beauty," so their aesthetic content can
>be very weak. Selected meteorites exhibit beauty; surprisingly many
>exhibit intriguing form on theskyisfalling.com website. Other meteorites
>may have little aesthetic value, but still carry emotional as well as
>monetary value. Can the aesthetic value of a meteorite and a Chinese
>scholar's rock arise similarly? While their forms are similar, a viewers
>response to each is distinctly different. Understanding either aesthetic,
>a collector would not wish to cloud the distinction or be satisfied that
>they are acceptable copies of each other.
>
>The artistic value, I think, is in relating a viewing stone to a commonly
>recognized vision of something incompletely but aesthetically rendered. 
> 
>Chris... C. Cochrane, mailto:sashai@erols.com, Richmond VA USA

=================================================
From: Lynn Boyd 
To: viewing_stones@triumf.ca 
Cc: Chris Cochrane 
Date: Friday, March 05, 1999 5:21 PM
Subject: Re: Meteorite collectors in latest (March) Smithsonian magazine

>
>
> Chris,
>
> I appreciate the research and contacts you made for your post.
>
> You provide platforms for considerable thought, and it
> seems to me timely, for me at least, to consider the awe
> inspired by space objects in the setting of an aesthetic
> value. They have in my experience been so long "souvenirs"
> with the most competitive of commercial values that it quite
> unbalances my discrimination in connection with an aesthetic
> consideration. 
>
> Our response aesthetically as you suggest will be personal,
> and additionally there are not the conventions to provide
> a background except in some transferable aspects like 
> qualities of texture, color and form, and then origin can effect
> those in our personal projections so your contribution is
> helpful to this reader.
>
> The origin of the meteorite has its distinct poetry when
> I withdraw from the commercial aura that monetary value
> has bestowed. Additionally, the stand one uses presents
> a unique challenge - the more I think about that the more
> I approach the sci fi fantasies for design inspiration and
> a whole new acceptance of possible insights.
>
> Thankyou for sharing your considerable effort and your usual
> drive to "know." 
> 
> Lynn
> 
> lynn@user1.cyberis.net
> Oregon, USA 

=============================================
>From: liana patsuria 
>To: viewing_stones@triumf.ca 
>Date: March 7, 1999 1:51 AM
>Subject: new book
>
>
>Hello,
>For those of you with an interest in Chinese Scholar Rocks….
>The bookstore of Asia Society in New York is carrying a new book on the
>subject.
>
>"The Spirit of Gongshi: Chinese Scholar's Rocks" by Kemin Hu
>Published by L.H. Inc., Newton, MA/ Co-Published and distributed by Art
>Media Resources Ltd., Chicago, ILL/128pp tel: 312-663-5351 fax:312-663-5177
>ISBN # 1-878529-51-X . Price $40.00.The date of publication is not
>provided, however, I believe it is quite recent considering that the
>preface makes references to Richard Rosenblum's exhibition at the Harvard
>University Art Museum.
>
>The book was put together by Kemin Hu daughter of Hu Zhaokang connoisseur
>of Chinese antiques and rocks, it consists of the short essays by Richard
>Rosenblum, Ian Wilson, C.C. Wang and Kemin Hu .
>Kemin Hu's article goes into more details on the history of the Scholar
>Rock appreciation and their importance in Chinese painting. It covers
>variety of rock types (including some that are new to me)and categories.
>
>The photos are all in color (200 as book cover states) encompasses the
>illustrious collections of Richard and Nancy Rosenblum (most are pictured
>in "World Within World" catalogue), Ian and Susan Wilson, CC Wang, Kemin
>Hu, Hu Zhaokang, Chang Dai Chien and numerous other private collectors.
>There are also illustrations of fantastic Chinese "Rock" paintings from the
>collection of Kemin Hu as well as photos of Historical Garden Rocks.
>
>With the exception of few photographs (which are unfortunately either too
>grainy or badly lit) most illustrations are of excellent quality. Asia
>Society has an online book store, their web site is - www.asiasociety.org
>
>Best Regards,
>Liana Patsuria

===================================================
From: Flex123@aol.com 
To: liapat@mindspring.com ; viewing_stones@triumf.ca 
Date: Sunday, March 07, 1999 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: new book

>This is a very nice book. For those who are members, the American Bonsai
>Society has it for a bit less ($35.00). Visit
>http://www.absbonsai.org/booklist.htm for more info.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Dave Bockman

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