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    Colección Miguel Romero de Minerales Mexicanos

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    sebas panez

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 85
    The MIGUEL ROMERO COLLECTION OF MEXICAN MINERALS es 3e Dulivation ‘This book is dedicated tothe memory of Carlton Davis: mentor and mineral collector extracedinaie, ‘and to Neal & Chris Pall Rob Lavinsky Fon . Hoknowledy ments ‘The Mineralogical Record gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Dr. Robert Lavinsky, iho provided a grant forthe publication ofthis special supplement to honor the memory of Miguel Romero ‘and his collection, The authors would like to thank Rob Lavinsky, Wayne Thompson and Shirlay Wetmore for helpful information. Margarita Romero kindly provided the photos of Migael Romero and reviewed the text ‘of is biographical notes. Tom Moore zeviewed the manuscript and olfered helpful suggestions Rob Lavinsky arranged forthe photography of the specimens alertaking possession of them, Thauhs Revived ‘When our family decided to offer Miguel’ collection forsale, Rob Lavinsky submited the only comprehensive and creative bid, inchuding plan for us to dansta over a third of the collation specimens back to the University of Arizona, in perp. ‘While we are siddened to se his colletion broken up, his legacy will lve on, at last in part, atthe University, thanks tothe dedication und hard work of Rob Lavinsky, Museum Board member Les Presmyk, University of Arizona Flandreau Science Center dtector Alexis Faust, and curator Shirley Wetmore, We thank them for working with our family to setup the best possible plan, both for us and for the museum. Rob's belie inthe importance of museum collections like that of the University of Arizona is in keeping with Miguel’s, making this donation very appropriate, We also wish 10 thank Les Presmyic for help in specimen handling and paperwork, and Dr. Teery Wallae, Dr. Wendell Wilson, Peter Megaw sand Rock Curriar for their work as authors, helping to preserve Miguel's legicy in this beautiful book, Margarita & Alejandro Romero 1 want to parsonally thank Rob Lavinsky for working so diligently o being a substantial portion of the Rometo Collection back tothe University of Arizona, Alexis R. Faust ‘Executive Director, University of Arizona Science Center, Ceri Front Cover: Upper let: Legranite crystal 4.7 em tall, from the Ojusla mine, Durango, Upper right: Wallenite, 7 em, from Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Lower lft Rhodochrosite, 8 em, feom the Potos’ mine, Santa Baia, Lower right Amthyst crystals, 14 om, from Guerra, Photos by Wendl E. Wilson (upper righ and lower left), Jeff Scowil (upper left) and Joseph Budd (lower right), Back Cover: Acanthite, 6.8 cm, from the Rayss mine, Gaunajuat, pointing, ol on canvas in te sile of 17th century Spanish suill-lie painting, by Wendell E. Wilson, Published as a Supplement to The Mineralogical Record, Vol. 39. No, 6, November-December 2008 Copyright © 2008 The Mineralogical Record. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, including translation into otber languages, cr by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, information storage snd retrieval systems, and reproduction om the internet — ‘without writen permission from the Copyright holder is strictly pected Price, sfteover—$20 Limited edition hardcover copies ofthis supplement, bound topether withthe Mexico-V Issue, ane avilable while they lst foe $70 plus postage from The Hookstore at www MineralogicalRecordcom ‘The Mineralogical Record, ?. 0. Box 35865, Tucson, AZ 85740 Circulation afi: mincee@aol.com. Fiitorial office: minrecoedcomcast.net & The MIGUEL ROMERO COLLECTION OF MEXICAN MINERALS % Terry C. Wallace & Wendell E, Wilson WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY EUGENE E. MEIERAN AND SPECIMEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY A. SCOVIL & JOSEPH BUDD A SUPPLEMENT TO THE MINERALOGICAL RECORD, NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008. a8 & The MIGUEL ROMERO COLLECTION OF MEXICAN MINERALS by erry C. Wallace, Wendell £. Wilson, Peter KM. Megaw & Rock H. Currier WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY EUGENE E, MEIERAN AND SPECIMEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY A, SCOVIL & JOSEPH BUDD A SUPPLEMENT TO THE MINERALOGICAL RECORD, NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008 og 18.7 cm, from the San Juan Pontente stope, Level §, of the Ojuela mine, Maplit, Durango, Mexico. This specimen, known as “The Arise Sun,” Is the largest and most famous of all legrandite specimens, and represented the plnnacle of the Romero collection; Jeff Scovll photo. $ 2 Supplement 10 The Mineralogical Reconl, November-December, 2008 +8 INTRODUCTION by Bugene E. Meieran | doubt that any serious collector of anything ean pursue a col lecting career without becoming aware of the amazing historical collections displayed in museums and other institutions. The mere ‘names of these great collections eenjure up sirong emotions—of awe atthe beauty and perfection oftheir specimens, and, yes, of an envious desize 1 own those specimens. As mineral collecters, We can all name the great institutions that have amassed fine mineral collections: the Secbonne, Hurvard, Yale, the Houston Museum, the British Museum, the American Museum, the Smithsonian, the Philadelphia Academy, the Los Angeles County Museum, ec. And we can often name individual collections within each of these institutions: the Roebling Collection, the Kunz Collection, tbe Vaux collection, snd more. These histridl collections Were put together over time by dedicated private collectors and eventually made heir ‘way into the museums ofthe weld, We all have stond before such displays and thought, “Gee, {wish owned that specimen!” Such envy iS a characteristic (or « malady) of serious collecters! ‘ne such impressive private accumulation was the Romero cal lection, which most recently resided in the Flandreau Science Center atthe University of Arizona in Tucson, This particularly outstanding collection of Mexican minerals was put together over the years by Dr. Miguel Romero, and includes several of the most wonderful, Mexican mineral specimens ever dug out of the ground, some Miguel Romero in 1992, at is home in Tehuacan, showing the “Aztec Sun” legrandite, ‘his most famous speclmen, to Texas collector Imelda Klein in 1992. of which indeed ate widely rscognized as the best mineral specimens from anywhere (so-called “mineral ikons,” using, the term recently proposed by Wayne Thompson) In fact, the Romero collection of what might be called “Mexican Minoral Treasures" could be viewed as an analog of the spectacular “American Mineral Treasures” exibits assembled for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February 2008. ‘Asisthe case wih many ine private collections, tae Romero collection was not seen by very many other mineral collectors for many years. twas originally kept in an ftice in Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico, where it was saan only by the ooeasional serious collector who happened by—and by hourds of local schoo! chien who were regularly admitted for tours was fortunate to visit the Romero collection inthe early 1980s, ‘when I passed through the city during an unsuccessful trip acquire some Las Vigas amethyst, So in 1997 1 was thrilled to see the best of the collation come to Arizona and be put on display at the Flandeeau museum Along with the fine ‘Arizona mineral collection and the displays of world-wide ‘minerals i the museum, the Romero collection stood out as a peerless ussemblage of great Mexican minerals, During the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, thousands of vistors ‘nad the privilege and pleasure of seeing the est ofthe Romer Supplement to The Mineralogical Recond, November-December, 2008 collection on public display thereby making it one of the most Widely viewed mineral collections in tbe world) Of course, while we as collectors privately covet museum specimens, we are always graoful that poblic museums acquire and display areat pieces for us allt see. Museums preserve valuable natural and cultural artifacts and objects foe posterity. So, as I ssid atthe beginning, we mineral collectors look at public displays of private collections with mixed feelings: appreciation tha great spe ‘mens are indeed preserved and displayed for public enjoyment, and Jealousy that we do not on these wonderful objects ourselves! The Romero mineral collection clearly represents the best that Mexico hast offer to the mineral connoisseur Tt was put togetber boy a person who knew, understood and loved mineral specimens and the mineral heritage of Mexico, And since Mexico isso well endowed with great minerals, the Romero collection stands out even among other great world-wide collections. And speaking personally, [really wanted some of those world-class specimens for mysel, but Las equally appreciative ofthe fact thatthe collection was oo public display for me and my fellow collectors to enjoy. Of course, Trnaver thought that the best of the Romera collection would be sold 1 a private collector There ate limes when a great private collection or sat of eol- Teetions goes on display in @ museum, and then later some of all ofthe specimens are sold ot traded tothe public, usually for one of three ressons. Firs, the museum may hive so many equivalent specimens that it makes no sense to keep more of the same; the museum collection is enhanced by exchange of specimens with ober institutions of collectors or deales, and these transactions enrich both the private and public collections. Second, the museum may need funds for other exhibits or programs and, perhaps too often, minerals are the firs to go because there is such & strong market for museum-qualty specimens. And thied, the collection may simply ‘be on loan co the musaum and is only on temporary display undor its stewardship. It can be removed at any time atthe disertion of the collecticn’s owner. This third scenario was the case with the Romero collection: the Romero family had rained ownership while the collation Was on ‘public display in Arizona, and they ultimately decided to pt it up for sale, We are naturally saddened by th fat that the eaie collection is no longer on exhibit. However, the situation is not as bad as it might seem, We can be hesriened by the fact that suites of Mexican lowality specimens will be retained permanently by the University of Arizona through the efforts of Rob Lavinsky, the dealer who transacted te sale The Arizona specimens have gone tothe leading private collector of Arizona minerals, where they will surely be wel cred for, and although some ofthe Mexiean specimens have been dispersed, Rob has aeanged for the core af the Mexican collection {oremain tact with «private collector who is planning eventwally to open a mineral museum overseas. So, although the unity ofthe Romero collection is lost, some of it will remain available for study bby the public atthe Flandreau Science Center in Arizona and the mest ofthe major Mexican specimens may someday be on exbibit togather ones again in a public museum, Since the vast myjerty of private collections are ultimately broken up and their cohesiveness totally lost st i gratifying (o me as a collector to see the best of the Romero collection docu: mented in this book, and to know that most of the collection will be preserved in major segments. In addition, 1,200 specimens sll, in the Romero Mineralogical Museum in Tebuscun will remain there, and a systematic collection consisting of 5,500 specimens is being donated by the Rmera family tothe Universidad Nacional Autnoma de México, I look forward to seeing portions of the Romero collction once again, albeit indifferent museums, Given that dhe Romero family has found the sl necessary, this s indeed. the best possible outcome Eugene E. Meteran At the Romero exhibit atthe University of Arizona on its last day there (left to right): Karl Warning, Marshall Sussman, ‘Wendell Wilson, Wayne Thompson, Gene Meleran, Les Presmyk, Rob Lavinsky and Kevin Brown, Rick Beard photo. a Supplement 10 The Mineralogical Reconl, November-December, 2008 MIGUEL ROMERO SANCHEZ (1926-1997) by Tey C. Wallace Miguel Romero Mexico is a land of incredible beauty and rugged teerin. The counigy has sctive volcanoes that rise more than 19,050 fest skews sea level un tropical jungles that te essentially impenetrable. The ‘geologic forces that gave rise to the rugged terrain also blessed. Mexico with temendous mineral wealth, The modern history of “Mexico begins withthe arrival of Hemando Cortez and te conguest ofthe indigenous naticns in the 1520. Upon Cons landing on the Veracruz coast, Moctezuma, the head of the Aves empize, sought to convince the Spanish to lave by sending Comtez a teasire. The diaces ofthe Cortez expedition describe this bribe: “A whee like the Sun, as big as a cartwheel, with many sors of pictures en it made of gold, Another wheel of greater size made of silver, twenty gold ducks, and many articles of gol ad silver” ‘Ofcourse, this great gilt of treasure hud the cpposite of ts intended effet i assured «congustadce’s rush for mineral wea inthe new ‘world. In a few short decades after the conquest, fabulously rich silver deposits at Taxco, Pachuca, Zacatecas, Fresnillo and Guanajuato were discovered. The amount of silver which has been mined in Mexico is extracedinury. Ip 1520 the total silver in circulation in [Europe was about 100 metric tans, but by 1580 the amount had (quadrupled, mostly because of the mines of Mexico. Even mre lexcepicoal is thatthe mineral wealth of Maxico ses inexbaxstble, For the lust decade, Mexice has averaged production of early 2400 metic tons of silver, and itis estimated that ene-fourth of all te silver in istry bas been mined 2 Mexico, ‘The incredible mineral wealth of Mexico is well-enown to the collect: Since te tur of the century fentsstic specimens of walenite, cate, amas, pyragrita scan, elena eypsum—the list goes ce anil on —have made their way to cllestins acrosstheslobe, However, despite the wonderful and rch mineral heritage of Mexico, there Was litle effort before 1970 to preserve it.The authoritative treatise on Mexican topogrphical mineralogy isa par of bulletins published by the Instituto Geoldgico de Migxico in 1923. The mineralogical lterature oa Mexico is extremely sparse in view of its rich history There are the giants of Mexican minerdlogy, beginning with Andrés Manuel del Rio (1764-1849), who published Elementos de Oric- fognosia ia 1795 and 1805, but there are no Mexican equivalents to Roebling or Rasheigh, who built larpe collections of specimens that documented mining wealth. Lis fir o say that Dr Miguel Romero Sanche7 nearly single-handedly rescued tis heritage by building tbe finest pivae collection of Mexican mineeals inthe weed De Rowera built a world-class mineral museum in bis home town of Tehuacda in Ue slate of Puebla to house this collection, snd ‘pursd ll things related to Mexican minerals with a singular passin, He was encyclopedic in his knowledge of Mexican mineral lecalities, and rediscovered a number of mineral deposits that had been men tioned in historic literature but subsequently lost. At tbe time of his deat his collection foaled nearly 8,000 specimens, approximately 6,500 of which were from Mexico, These specimens were not only ofthe beautiful display variety: Miguel was dedicated to dceumenting the fll scope of bis eounty’s rich mineral. ‘He acquired minerals from every stale in Mexico, and where the mineralogy warranted it, be sought tremendous duplication, For example, his coletion contained mere than 60 Charcas danburites, 20) Map adamies, and 90 Neica aorites; Miguel used his cole: tionas a esearch tol and helped discover four new mineral species, & Supplement to The Mineralogical Recond, November-December, 2008 and literally dozens of minerals new to México, From Humble Beginnings to National Leader Miguel Romeo Siocher Romero being his father's sumame and Scosche bis mother's) was bora in 1928, in Tonal located in he southern Mexican sat of Osxace, where his family owned a cora aod sug cane fren ad a sugar mil He was Uh youngest often chile and despite the fc that is father died when e was ar, be Worked hud and tock every opportunity to excel. Miguel ‘was at outstanding student, and was quite intrested in scence. Like LIL siblings, he also ad a we for bois, and saw eduction ss his pat to a beter ie Miguel attended the Universidad Nacional Aténoma de Meco (UNAM) te premiere edaational univers i the country. Akbough Miguel was pursuing. dave in chemist, he received job inthe laboratory of Dt. Eduardo Schmiter Schmier was the leading Mexican mineral ofthe mid-20th century, ade give Miguel his ts chance io werk cathe chemistry of minerals Miguel was fase nated withthe minerals he got see ia Seier’s ab, and abough be dd not stata collection a th time, he cauet the passion, Migue! later tock postion atthe Insitute of Chem and remained Schmiters life on ren Inte life when Mie focused on colstng mine alsiseltonship wih Sebmter yielded some remarkable specimens. Fecexampe, Schmiterkeew the Perazzni family, which had owned and operated the Las Chispas mine near Avipe, Sonora. The fam- ily sent Schmiter a nimerof fine mineral specimens inthe erly 1870, and he passed them along to Miguel: included among the as what may be the world’s finest aeanthie After gradation, Miguel won a scholarship to atend Harvard, were he received MS andl PAD deraes in organic chemistry. When Miguel showed up in Cambridge, Massachusetts he could barely speak English bu, as was (pial of his style, he developed part nertips with other studerts—he helped them with thee chemistry, dod they helped isn with his Bogs’ Migel enjoyed visting the Harvard Miperalogcal Museum, andi was tee that he became itpeessed with the variety of be migeral Knglom and the beauty of exceptional specimens. After a posdocteal fellowship at Imperial College in London, Miguel retirned to Mexico He taught at UNAM and accepted pston 3s Research Coordinate for Seale Labs in Mexico Ciy Miguel Romero, during his college years, Visiting the Grand Canyon in Artaona. Miguel Romero at the Tucson Show in 1984, He later left Searle to work with his brothers and sisters in the family’s poallry business. Migual’s outstanding chemistry back ‘ound helped lum the business, Grupo Romero, into one of the most technologically sophistesied compunies in Mexiva. He built 4 woeldclass analytical laboratce, and his expertise in notional chemistry was continually in demand & Supplement 19 The Mineralogical Recond, November-December, 2008 +8 (ee ah eee ee ees

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