Minerals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania - set

I recently purchased a box set of minerals that is labeled "Minerals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania and Vicinity", "From the Garden Spot of America". I think it retailed for $1.75 and I believe it dates from the late 60's or early 70's. Photos of the box top (outside and inside) and contents are attached.




Can anyone provide history about this set? Do you know what entity put it together? Are the specimens bonafide Lancaster County specimens or did they come from a supply house's stock of mineral specimens?

The reason I bought the set is it has a piece of zinc ore from the Bamford Mine, which is now under a Kelloggs Plant. I've never seen a specimen of Bamford ore for sale anywhere and though I could gamble a few dollars just to say I have a piece of ore from the mine.

I had one of these sets a long time ago, and regrettably broke it up - its completely legitimate, everything is from the localities specified, but I don't know who put this together

I had one of these back in the early 1070's.
i purchased it at the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences gift shop on an elementary school trip.
The specimens ore from Lancaster County localities.
Thanks for sharing this as it brought back a lot of old memories

I have several of these actually, with various qualities of specimens contained. I never understood the need to include "vicinity" minerals though. . . The magnetite and Pyrite are actually from French Creek in Chester Co., the Blue quartz from Chester Co., as well. Though they don't hide that fact, I always wondered "why them" rather than other locally notable Lancaster Co. mineral occurrences, the more than plentiful Limonite pseudos of pyrite and/or unaltered pyrite cube, nice magnetite octahedrons from Texas (near Woods Chrome mIne), etc., no real shortage of "actual" Lancaster Co. options. I've seen some fairly large masses of quite nice yellow Mica from the Gap area (from old collections), so it was nice to see it was included in this set as well.

As for what organization initiated and produced these sets, I haven't uncovered that fact either, despite wanting to know myself.

MRH

This is just a guess, but Rick Haefner (now deceased), a former PSU alum and a geologist, used to put mineral kits together for sale in his garage in Lancaster, PA. It was quite an ambitious business for a number of years. I can't recall the details, but somewhere around here (somewhere....) I have a book that contains them, plus photos.

Hi
From what I know, I would concur with Earls history of the boxes.
His nephew Chris Haefner recently spoke at the BMS meeting about a book he wrote on the Pequea mine in Lancaster County.
I asked about the boxes and from what I recall, his uncle also has a arrangement with the Smithsonian for cards or boxes for their gift shop as well.
If you Google Chris Haefner, you should be able to get to his blog which will allow you to contact him and ask any further questions that you have.
He did mention working with his uncle and breaking up material to affix to the cards.
Greg Kokolus

To any and all who may be interested. I am the nephew of the deceased professor, Dr. Richard Haefner. From 1972 to 1988 I helped make; meaning, collect and crack and set tens of thousands of these and other mineral boxes in the 'Rock Shop' in Lancaster Pa. The business ran from about 1966 to 1996. To find out more just e-mail me at silverfordinc@yahoo.com. Also, a few months ago my e-mail was corrupted and someone stole it and began making e-mails from it - it wasn't me. I used an alternate one from about March to May. Sorry if anyone got an e-mail back that wasn;t from me. God Bless. Chris haefner

Kevin, If the set were mine, I would not remove the zinc ore from it. I think the historical value of the set is probably a lot greater than the piece of ore.