A pyrite sphere. A pyrite block and a smaller one are attach - Lot 187

Alain MARTAUD Collection and various amateurs

Mineralogy

Fossils

Meteorites

SALE

Thursday, May 23, 2023 at 2pm

5 rue de Provence 75009 Paris

EXHIBITIONS :

From 21 to 22 from 11am to 6pm

at 5 rue de Provence 75009 Paris

Sale of part of the Alain MARTAUD collection (lots 1 to 60)

Collector's preamble:

I've been a collector for 50 years, a geologist for 40 and a dealer in collectible minerals for 24 years. I've been appraising collections for 15 years, notably for museums. Author of specialized articles and books, I am a member of the editorial board of the magazine Règne Minéral. I also work for museums, carrying out research, cleaning samples and designing exhibitions: I've been curator of the Mineral and Gem prestige exhibitions in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (3rd to 2nd world bourse) for 10 years. I've always appreciated the regional mineralogy of France and decided to collect exclusively this theme 20 years ago... I've put all my energy and knowledge into building up my collection of France. Following the pandemic, during which my professional activities, among others, were severely impacted, I began to sell off bits and pieces of this somewhat "gargantuan" collection! Here are 60 lots, put together somewhat haphazardly as I searched through my display cabinets and drawers, but with some truly beautiful and rare objects, albeit all with very low estimates, and other samples that were less precious but rigorously selected for a "little something extra" (freshness, color, rarity or interest above the average of the deposit - in principle) with no reserve price! That's how many opportunities there are in this sale... Good luck.

I'd like to reiterate my conception of collecting: more mineralogy with meaning; a concern for aesthetics but not for bling; it's the size of the crystals that counts, not the size of the gangue, etc... After the sale, I'll be able to give any additional information I have on the samples acquired, if I'm specifically asked for it.

Alain Martaud

Chambéry, May 10th 2024.