A few weeks ago
Jordi Fabre added the news to his Web site about his recent purchase of a collection
(a classic one it appeared) that included notable examples of Spanish and Portuguese
material, as well as specimens from elsewhere in the world. The Museum of Natural
Sciences quickiy asked for the opportunity of having the collection 'reserved'
for a short period so that we could look into the possibility of buying the Spanish
and Portuguese parts of the collection.
This collection
reflects an extraordinary period in the mineralogy of the Iberian peninsular,
that between 1975 and 1990. Many mineral lovers do not know (possibly because
they are too young) what went on during this period in Panasqueira or what came
from the pockets found in La Cabaña, Berbes during the 80s. I can assure
you that the finds that Jordi dealt with during that period, and which some Spanish
collectors bought, were really exceptional.
The reason for
this message is to thank Jordi, publicly, for the allowance he gave this museum
of the people so that we had the time to go through the tedious and difficult
process of getting government support for our purchase of some 'rocks'.
Surprisingly, the
result was positive. Please believe me that this was a surprise
firstly to me, possibly secondly to Jordi, and certainly
thirdly to all those who saw the material in Bilbao. I say
this because I'm proud that a Spanish public entity, especially
at the current time, had the foresight to objectively evaluate
a purchase of this special nature.
I
know that the collectors who saw the typical samples of
this collection during the Bilbao show will be sad that
they cannot buy any of them in order to add them to their
collections, but I also know that most of them, if not all
of them, will be pleased that such a homogeneous and impeccable
collection will not be broken up and will remain available
for all to see in this modest, but very pleasant, public
museum in the provinces.
I know that this
may not mean much, but over the next few years all the lovers of Iberian minerals
will have, here in Victoria, the result of the extraordinary work of two people:
Jordi Fabre who helped gather the specimens together and the anonymous collector
who was able, during a period of his life, to create this unique and incredible
collection.
True thanks are
owed to both of you. And also a thank you to those friends who have had the patience
and desire to wait, in this case in vane, for the real and marvelous adventure
of building a collection that follows their own dream.
Best regards
Jesús
Alonso,
Museo de Ciencias Naturales