Munich 2012

Photos from Bill and Will Larson, Pala International,
and Jamie Newman, American Museum of Natural History

The 49th Mineralientage München international trade fair—Europe’s largest for the mineral trade—took place October 26–28, 2012. Pala’s Bill Larson was there and provided these photos.

Promo. Ads like this were placed in the train station. (Photo: Will Larson)

Patience, patience. Attendees were barred from entry on set-up day. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Nice nuggets. A superb lot of pyrite crystals, acquired by Pala International at the show. From TanzaniteOne, in Tanzania. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Early bird. Pala International’s Will Larson gets a head start on inspection of Chinese minerals at the show. (Photo: Bill Larson)

In-progress. Above, one of the display corridors for the special exhibition, “African Secrets.” Below, Munich Show organizer Christophe Keilman shows Pala International’s Bill Larson a specimen during setup. (Photos: Will Larson)

Escargot mignon. Christophe Gobin, cradles “The Snail.” Rarely, in a photo, do you get a sense of scale for the little snail. In the collection of Pala International’s Bill Larson, this rhodochrosite on manganese is one of the most famous specimens in the world. (Photo: Bill Larson)

It’s a wrap. “The Snail” is installed. (Photo: Will Larson)

From a snail’s POV. Looking out from the back of the display case. “The Snail” was exhibited as part of the Mineral Show’s special feature, “African Secrets.” (Photo: Will Larson)

“The Snail” on display. (Photo: Will Larson)

Cover star. Jeff Scovil’s portrait of “The Snail” is worked into the cover of this year’s theme book. It is available from the show website.

Above, Will Larson’s prehnite, dubbed “deadmau5” after the Toronto-based DJ. Below, Will’s “Mickey Mouse”; olmiite with oyelite. (Photos: Will Larson)

Three musketeers. (Or should it be mouseketeers?) Left to right, Double O’Seven, Bill Larson and Desmond Sacco stand before the under-construction Pala International/Christophe Gobin booth. (Photo: Will Larson)

Brain-picking. Alan Hart, head of mineral collections at London’s Natural History Museum, shares knowledge on a pyromorphite that Will Larson has just purchased. Last April, Hart delivered a short talk on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, which became the museum’s foundation—available here. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Palling around. Here’s Hart, again, with Christophe Keilmann, Geschäftsführer (managing director of the Munich mineral show), center, and Bill Larson. (Photo: Jamie Newman)

Bring ’em on. Pala International, open for business. (Photo: Will Larson)

Taking a break. Laurent Thomas of Polychrome Minerals knows how to play the gracious host, offering chèvre and Burgundy. (If only Bill woud get his finger out of the way…) (Photo: Bill Larson)

On the prowl. Will Larson with prominent dealer-collector (and What’s Hot in Tucson co-host) David Wilber. (Photo: Jamie Newman)

Too snowy for the Southern Californians. Best to take refuge in the Treasury of the Munich Residenz. (Photo: Will Larson)

Lambkin. This insignia, only one of several displayed at the Treasury of the Munich Residenz, will be familiar to our readers. In July 2010 we examined the relationship between the stone that would become the Hope Diamond and a ceremonial pendant for the Order of the Golden Fleece. (Photo: Bill Larson)

Eyes for detail. Three examples of the exquisite, impossibly crafted rock crystal vessels at the Treasury. Above, a goose carved in the late 16th century by the Sarachi Brothers, of Milan. (Photos: Will Larson)

Clash of civilizations. This werejaguar mask of jadeite was placed in its Sino-setting by German artisans. It is of Olmec origin. (Photo: Bill Larson)