The Folch Mineral Collection (Barcelona, Spain)

=One of the Best Mineral Collections in Europe=

The Folch Collection was known during the period 1960-1980 as one of the best private collections in the world. It was famous for its size (over 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'. Mr. 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. 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.

In 2005, the Folch family had the idea of updating the collection so as to include more modern material, since 1984 nothing new had been added and a significant gap of the minerals found since then has developed. To do this they 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 of interest to other collectors.

So the duplicate specimens from the Folch Collection are emerging 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 are offered during Mineral Shows. Given the special characteristics of the specimens available and their historical value this will be a good opportunity for many collectors to get pieces that would otherwise have remained pure dreams.

Thanks to the Folch family 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 wished them to take and that will give collectors worldwide great joy, as well as increasing interest in and knowledge of the Folch collection.

Bibliography References

Burchard, U. y Bode, R. (1980). Mineral Museums of Europe. Walnut Hill Publ. Lalling. 269 p.

External Links

* [http://www.fabreminerals.com/specimens/RSFOL-folch-notable-specimens.php Images of mineral specimens from the Folch Collection.]

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