The Folch Collection
 The
Folch Collection was known during the period 1960-1980 as one of the best private
collections in the world. It was famous worldwide for its size (more than 15,000
specimens), the quality of the pieces, the large number of classic specimens,
which are now almost impossible to obtain, and the style of the collection, which
is surprisingly 'modern'. Sr. Folch (Joaquín Folch i Girona) collected
during a period when the style of most collectors in Europe consisted of gathering
large specimens of rare minerals, and in which esthetics and perfection were not
that important. That said he actually tended to collect smaller specimens that
were esthetic, and, where possible, damage free. On the death of Sr. Folch, in
1984, the collection passed to his son Alberto, and when he in turn died to his
grandson Joaquín Folch who wisely decided to keep the collection exactly
as his grandfather had it (including the display cases). So the collection was
kept together and its enormous historical value has not been lost.
While
I was a teenager, and still rather young, I had the luck to have been warmly invited
by Sr. Folch to visit the collection. I made numerous visits, and with him beside
me I obtained an enormous amount of mineralogical information, which went far
beyond what I would have learned anywhere else. Given this experience I have always
had a strong connection with the collection.
During
my ongoing contacts with the Folch family a moment arrived when they suggested
the idea of updating the collection so as to make it more up to date - since 1984
nothing new has been added and a significant gap in the minerals found since then
has developed. After lots of friendly, unhurried discussions the Folch family
asked me to help them with this updating process. To do this we have the luck
that the collection includes many attractive duplicates. These duplicates do not
add much to the Folch collection, as there are other examples of all of them,
but given their unusual localities or simple high quality they are still good
commercial specimens.
So,
for the first time, the duplicate specimens from the Folch Collection will emerge
into the sunlight. Each one of them has hand written notes made by Sr. Folch himself
as well as, in many cases, his official label and number (in the case that they
were part of the official collection). The duplicates will be sold during the
shows that we normally attend, and also through our web site and store in Barcelona
(you need to arrange a visit beforehand, which we will try to find a way of accommodating).
This
project will take us a long time, as the pieces available are numerous and neither
the family nor I wish to make the choices too quickly. The idea is to work slowly
and select the pieces in a very systematic and careful manner. We think that given
the special characteristics of the specimens that will be available and their
historical value this will be a great chance for many collectors to obtain pieces
that would otherwise have remained pure dreams.
We
hope that little by little we can satisfy all those that wish to acquire a duplicate
from the Folch collection and we can assure them that this task will give us far
more pleasure than simple economic benefits. Sr. Folch was my spiritual father
in mineralogical terms so handling his minerals and helping to improve his collection
with new purchases is a fantastic sensation for me.
I
cannot thank the Folch family enough for their good faith and for their wish to
improve the collection. They are helped by the undeniable support and enthusiasm
of Francisco Riquelme, the current conservator of the collection, and between
them they have taken a step that many people have wished them to take and that
will give collectors worldwide great joy, as well as increasing interest in and
knowledge of the Folch collection within Spain and the rest of the world.
1926: Mineralogical
Society, Jubilee Celebration.
Sr. Folch is the third from the right in the first row on foot
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Sr. Folch
holding an Apatite from Panasqueira
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