Quartz (Amethyst) on quartz (Smoky) Pohndorf Mine, Toll Mountain, Jefferson County, Montana. 4 ½ inch x 5 ½ inch

Sept. 9-Dec. 11: Irenee du Pont Collection

Mineralogical Museum to feature Irenee du Pont Collection

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8:59 a.m., Aug. 20, 2015--The University Museums at the University of Delaware will present an exhibition featuring the Irénée du Pont Collection from Sept. 9 through Dec. 11 in the Mineralogical Museum in Penny Hall.

The mineral collection, assembled primarily in the 1920s, was gifted to the University in 1964. 

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At the time, little was known about the history of this fine collection, which became the foundation of the University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum. 

The research of curator Sharon Fitzgerald, recently published as a supplement to the Mineralogical Record (May/June 2015), has greatly enhanced knowledge about the specimens and their provenance. 

Although Irénée du Pont (1876-1963) collected minerals from childhood, his first major purchase was from Tiffany and Co. in New York. George F. Kunz, vice president of the company, required du Pont to purchase an entire collection in order to have a single specimen.

That collection included emeralds, bi-color tourmalines in a fitted box, a diamond in matrix and much more.

For approximately a decade, du Pont added to his collection, buying from Kunz and from George English of Ward’s Natural Science Establishment.

Some of the specimens in this collection can be traced back more than 100 years to previous owners. One kunzite crystal specimen, a gem variety of the mineral spodumene, can be traced back to the original discoverer of the gemstone. 

The fall exhibition highlights the early du Pont collection and includes specimens whose stories have been recently discovered, including a topaz “boulder,” a rutilated quartz and two Arkansas diamonds. 

The supplement to the Mineralogical Record, which includes an illustrated catalog of the collection, can be purchased at the Museum located in Penny Hall on 255 Academy Street.

Fitzgerald will give a curator’s talk on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Mineralogical Museum. Refreshments will be at 5 p.m., followed by the talk at 5:30. For details, call 302-831-8037.

About University Museums

University Museums seeks to enhance the educational and scholarly mission of the University of Delaware through the exhibition, online presentation, study, preservation and growth of its unique collections in 20th and 21st century American art (with particular strengths in the Brandywine School, African American art and photography), minerals and pre-Columbian ceramics. 

University Museums enriches cultural life beyond the campus through presentation of the work of recognized artists, and through outreach programs to selected audiences, including K-12 students, educators and historically black colleges and universities.

Admission to all University Museums exhibitions and events is free and open to the public. RSVP for events as requested.

Guided tours are available by request. To book a tour, call 302-831-8037 or write to universitymuseums@udel.edu.

Museum hours are noon-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, noon-5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. The museums are closed during University breaks and holidays.

For general information, call 302-831-8037 or visit the University Museums website.

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