An exceptional and rare Victorian natural history collection of Cornish minerals, presented in its original wooden display box with brass clasp fittings and a beautiful floral fabric-lined interior. The collection contains approximately 100 individually numbered specimens, each housed in its own paper-partitioned compartment within the box. Every specimen corresponds to a handwritten catalogue booklet that records the mineral name and the precise Cornish location from which it was collected.

The handwritten catalogue runs to at least 95 numbered entries and records a remarkable range of minerals gathered from named mines, villages, and parishes across Cornwall. Specimens and locations visible in the catalogue and photographs include Short Prism Quartz from Marazion, Long Prism Quartz from St Agnes, Ferruginous Quartz from St Just, Massive Quartz from Mousehole, Peacock Copper from St Austell, Red Oxide of Copper from Redruth, Stream Wood Tin from Sancreed, Cassiterite from Camborne, Blue Carbonate of Copper from Haul Butler, Malachite from Gwennap, Sulphyret of Antimony from near Tintagel, and Antimonial Ore from Padstow, among many others.

Visible specimens include vivid green malachite, iridescent peacock copper, quartz crystals, amethyst, sulphides, tin ores, and iron oxides, reflecting the extraordinary mineral wealth that made Cornwall one of the most important mining regions in the world during the 18th and 19th centuries.

This collection is a piece of scientific and social history. The care with which it was assembled, labelled, and housed speaks to the Victorian passion for natural history and the systematic collecting of geological specimens. Collections of this completeness, provenance, and age are extremely uncommon. It would be of significant interest to natural history collectors, museums, Cornish heritage institutions, mineralogists, and antique collectors alike.

Condition

The wooden box is structurally sound with age-related wear to the exterior. The brass clasps are present. The floral fabric lining to the lid is intact and attractive. The paper partitioning inside has some age-related discolouration. The handwritten catalogue booklet is complete and readable with some light foxing and age toning to the pages consistent with its age. The mineral specimens themselves are present and appear largely intact. Some specimens may have shifted over time and a small number of compartments appear empty or contain smaller fragments. Sold as found.

Item Specifics

Type: Victorian Mineral Specimen Collection

Origin: Cornwall, England

Number of Specimens: Approximately 100 numbered specimens

Includes: Original wooden box, original handwritten catalogue booklet

Notable Specimens: Malachite, Peacock Copper, Quartz varieties, Cassiterite, Tin Ores, Amethyst, Sulphides

Provenance Locations: St Austell, Redruth, Gwennap, Marazion, St Agnes, St Just, Mousehole, Sancreed, Camborne, Tintagel, Padstow and others

Era: Victorian, 19th century

Condition: Good for age, sold as found