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Techniques for CollectorsMicromounting Book

2nd Dec 2008 01:33 UTCBryan Manke

Does anyone own "The Complete Book of Micromounting" by Quintin Wight? I am thinking of putting it on my Xmas wish list and was wondering if it's "the one" for a beginner like me.

Thanks

Bryan

2nd Dec 2008 02:35 UTCChris Stefano Expert

I've got it. There is a lot of interesting history, and very good photography, as well as lots of useful information on technique for mounting if you intend to get more serious than just tacking specimens in boxes.

6th Dec 2008 03:24 UTCMalcolm Southwood 🌟 Expert

Bryan, it's a superb book - particularly if you're beginning micromounting. I obtained my copy the year it was published - some 15 years ago now - a day or two after a surgical proceedure on my back, and literally read it from start to finish as I recovered. If the book has a fault, in my view it is that it tries to cover too wide a range of subjects, and that the depth of coverage varies. I still seriously question whether a section on techniques for using explosives really belongs in a book for mineral collectors. But the bottom line is that if I didn't have a copy it would be on my Christmas list.

The other one to look out for - long out of print, but occassionally available second-hand - is "The Complete Guide to Micromounts" by Milton L. Speckels, published in 1965, by Gembooks, of Mentone, California. It's a skinny 97-page paper-back, packed with information.

mal

14th Dec 2008 16:45 UTCHenry Barwood

Malcolm,

The very first micro book I owned was Spekels' guide. That book and columns in Gems and Minerals and Rocks and Minerals were my mainstay during the 1960's and 70's. Back then, you could count all the micromounters in the southeastern US on one hand!

I wish someone would reprint that book and all the micromounting columns from that era. They were a storehouse of information.

Henry

15th Dec 2008 00:08 UTCGeoffrey McNall

Yes, It is a Good book. It covers many topics from collecting through mounting and storage.

I actually have 2 copies as I purchased one and was given one as a gift.

Geoff

15th Dec 2008 01:57 UTCSteven Kuitems Expert

Bryan, the book has a lot of info and different perspectives. You should appreciate also the historical perspective on the origins of the micro-mounting hobby amongst some of the great mineral collectors of the past. Hope it will inspire you to check out the "wee" things of the mineral world. SMKuitems.

15th Dec 2008 15:55 UTCDonald Peck

Steve, I enjoyed your article In Mineral News on the 359th mineral species to be discovered at Franklin.

15th Dec 2008 18:37 UTCJoe Taggart, Jr.

Bryan,

The Complete Book of Micromounting by Quintin Wight is well worth having, and now that it is marked down from $65 to $26 there is no excuse for not buying a copy. Quintin contributes a lot to the micromounting hobby, and in addition to his book, I also keep a look out for his articles in mineral journals/magazines like Mineralogical Record and Rocks and Minerals.

Speaking of things that are marked down in price that you might want to put on your Xmas list, The Photo-Atlas of Minerals by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has been marked down from $59.95 to $19.95. In addition to thousands of color images, the crystal form drawings of mineral species are also very useful in identifying micromount minerals non-destructively.

Joe

22nd Dec 2008 06:46 UTCMalcolm Southwood 🌟 Expert

Henry,

My first copy of Speckels was exactly that - a photocopy made from a friend's book when I was living in South Africa in the early 1980s.

Another very good friend - who deals in second hand books (in Canada) found me a pristine copy about 12 years ago, which I am very proud to own. I think its style as a really practical but concise hobby guide was quite ground-breaking for its time.

I have no idea how easy they are to obtain these days but if any micromounter comes across one, I'd definitely advise them to snap it up quickly!

mal

14th Mar 2009 03:47 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

Hi

I had not heard of the Speckle's book, basically I guess cos I am not into micro mounts although I do have some in my collection. I have Quintin Wight's book - which is a good mineral collectiing book, irrespective of size of minerals. So I thought I'd try and get a copy of Speckel's. Took a few minutes to locate one and about a week to get it delivered - all over the net - simply using some of the book searches - no problem.

And yes it's not a bad little book catering for micromounters so I would recommend it.

Cheers

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