[meteorite-list] Newcomers and the Meteorite world

From: john schooler <johns1933_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:04:43 -0500
Message-ID: <E0A63FA4231446D88ADB397005100613_at_JOHN>

Hello all:

For those of you who do not know me, I am imca 9322, a serious meteorite
collector and a dealer. I started collecting many years ago and now have 509
different witnessed falls in my collection, as well as 77 non-witnessed
locations. I do not understand anyone associated with meteorites who sells
but does not collect.

For anyone interested in witnessed falls, check my website -
www.schoolersinc.com.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Catterton" <star_wars_collector at yahoo.com>
To: <almitt at kconline.com>; <swschulz at astrum.com>;
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>; <Impactika at aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Newcomers and the Meteorite world


>A question I have thought about...
>
> How many meteorite dealers actually collect meteorites? Im not talking
> about one or two, Im talking about a nice collection that is not for
> stock.
>
> For me, I see and am finding out more and more dealers that dont actually
> collect meteorites. This is shocking to me. Perhaps this is due to the
> fact I am a collector (even if I do sell meteorites, its more to help
> build my collection) and have been bitten by the meteorite bug.
>
> Im sure this may draw some heat, I dont mean for it to, but topics like
> this seems to bring drama on here...
> So... here it goes...
>
> Why do you dealers sell meteorites that dont have collections? To not
> collect something implies that you may not have a passion for meteorites
> that collectors have.
> Is it for the money? What is it that draws you into the meteorite "field"?
>
> I have seen some of the bigger and longtime dealers used to be "treasure
> hunters" which leads me to think that meteorites were the next treasure
> for you to seek and get paid off.
>
> I ask this not not create problems or drama with this, but out of honest
> interest in why some of you sell meteorites that dont collect.
>
> I got into meteorites purely by accident, but it (anything related to
> space) was a passion I had since I was a child. Once I found out I could
> actually own a real meteorite, let alone pieces of the Moon and Mars, It
> was honestly like a dream come true for me.
> I only started selling when I quickly found out that without the extra
> income, I could not afford this addiction I developed.
> the whole reason I started selling is I couldnt afford the $1000 per gram
> for the cheapest lunar I could find 3 years ago. Now, its readily
> available, many types at less then $300 per gram!
>
> Hope everyone is doing good and no feelings ruffled from this.
>
> Greg Catterton
> www.wanderingstarmeteorites.com
> IMCA member 4682
> On Ebay: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/wanderingstarmeteorites
> On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WanderingStarMeteorites
>
>
> --- On Sun, 8/15/10, Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com>
>> Subject: [meteorite-list] Newcomers and the Meteorite world (was STOLEN
>> meteorites - from Allen Shaw)
>> To: almitt at kconline.com, swschulz at astrum.com,
>> meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>> Date: Sunday, August 15, 2010, 4:17 PM
>> Al, and all
>>
>> When we got to well over 100 members in all corners of the
>> globe, we had to
>> organize, and become a legal entity. There was no choice
>> there. And yes,
>> that meant a Code of Ethics, ByLaws, Yearly Elections, but
>> also a website, and
>> the Encyclopedia of Meteorites,....etc, and yes that also
>> meant $20 a year
>> dues, to pay expenses, and so we could have funds to keep
>> on growing and
>> helping newcomers. And we now have 339 members and
>> applications coming in
>> everyday..
>>
>> Al!! You are more than welcome to come back in the
>> Association, and I am
>> sure members would line up to recommend you! I'll be at the
>> head of the line.
>>
>> As for a "group of dealers that have some sort of stamp of
>> approval and
>> self governing". Isn't it how the IMCA started some 10
>> years ago? And you know
>> what happened when it grew! See paragraph above. Are
>> you thinking about
>> doing that all over again?
>>
>> Anne M. Black
>> _http://www.impactika.com/_ (http://www.impactika.com/)
>> _IMPACTIKA at aol.com_
>> (mailto:IMPACTIKA at aol.com)
>>
>> Vice-President, I.M.C.A. Inc.
>> _http://www.imca.cc/_ (http://www.imca.cc/)
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 8/15/2010 1:22:29 PM Mountain Daylight
>> Time,
>> almitt at kconline.com
>> writes:
>> Hi Scott and all,
>>
>> There are quite a few good dealers who are not IMCA
>> members. In fact some
>> of
>> the larger, most successful dealers are not. So don't cut
>> yourself off from
>> those long time decent dealers. I'd be glad to compose a
>> list for you. I
>> belonged at first but decided not to renew when they became
>> official with
>> dues and so forth. I believe as a newer person collecting
>> meteorites it
>> would be a better choice for your protection.
>>
>> Anne has encouraged me to join again and I probably should.
>> Don't know if I
>> could find two people to recommend me though :-)
>>
>> Perhaps we should have a remaining group of dealers that
>> have some sort of
>> stamp of approval and self governing but then in the
>> beginning that is how
>> things worked. Since we now seem to get a new dealer of
>> meteorites about
>> every month or two, not everyone knows everyone else like
>> in the good old
>> days.
>>
>> --AL Mitterling
>>
>> Mitterling Meteorites
>>
>> Mitterling.com
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Scott Schulz" <swschulz at astrum.com>
>> To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 12:13 PM
>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] STOLEN meteorites - from
>> Allen Shaw
>>
>>
>> > On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 11:41 AM, Barry Hughes <bhughes at sneezy.com>
>> wrote:
>> >> I am in the crazy newcomer mode of buying.
>> My wife found a slice in a
>> >> small box in the garbage yesterday, because she
>> wanted the box for
>> >> Christmas gifts. I had thrown it away.
>> >
>> > I am relieved to hear that there are others out there
>> with "crazy
>> > newcomer" disease. I caught it about a week ago,
>> and it has hit hard.
>> >
>> > On the other hand, it is sad to see that even this
>> hobby has it's
>> > share of dishonorable folks. Sad. But I am
>> glad to see that there
>> > exists an organization like the IMCA. I know
>> that logo is the first
>> > thing I look for once an auction/sale notice catches
>> my eye.
>> >
>> > SwS
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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Received on Sun 15 Aug 2010 07:04:43 PM PDT