Book Publication and Humboldt Intervention in June 2019
"... ein langdauernder Werth " - Alexander von Humboldt's mineral and rock collections
From 1791 to 1792 Alexander von Humboldt studied at the Bergakademie Freiberg. Since that time he collected minerals and rocks. First as a mining official in Franconia, later on his travels to America, Italy and Russia. He himself gave the collected minerals a "long-lasting value". More than 1100 minerals and rocks were added to the museum's collections by the researcher. Some of these objects are now presented for the first time in a richly illustrated book that focuses on Humboldt's work as a collector. A "Humboldt Intervention" in the Mineral Hall shows a selection of the minerals he collected.
Editor of the book "Alexander von Humboldt. Minerals and Stones in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin" are Ferdinand Damaschun, former deputy general director and head of the exhibition department, and Ralf T. Schmitt, curator for the mineral collection as well as the museum's petrographic deposit collection. With further contributions by Cettina Rapisarda, Carsten Eckert and Renate Nöller.
The book (424 p.) will be published in June 2019 by Wallstein Verlag, price: 34,90€.
The book presentation and the opening of the Humboldt-Intervention will take place on Mon., 17.06.2019 from 7.30 p.m.. The "Humboldt-Intervention" will be on display in the mineral exhibition until the end of February 2020.
More information about Alexander von Humboldt Year 2019 please click here.