The Paul Seel Legacy: A Masterpiece Within the George Butler Jr. Collection

The Paul Seel Legacy: A Masterpiece Within the George Butler Jr. Collection

Edited by Christian Answini | Senior Fine Art Specialist

For serious mineral collectors and dealers, certain names transcend mere recognition to become synonymous with excellence in the field. Paul Seel stands among these titans, his micromounting expertise having helped shape modern mineralogy. Today, we're privileged to present an extraordinary opportunity: selections from Seel's legendary collection, preserved within the George Butler Jr. assemblage.

A Tale of Two Collectors: From Silesia to Philadelphia
Born in 1904 in Breslau, Silesia, Paul Seel's journey began humbly with childhood fascination for local pebbles. This early interest would blossom into a lifelong passion following his immigration to America in 1926. By 1936, while working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Philadelphia, Seel's dedication to mineralogy had already begun to distinguish him among his peers.The story intersects with George Butler Jr., a Philadelphia native whose own passion for minerals was matched by his broader intellectual curiosity. Butler, who passed away in March 2024 at age 88, preserved these specimens with the same meticulous care he brought to his 60-year legal career, creating a bridge between two generations of mineral enthusiasm.

The Evolution of a Master Collection
Seel's transformation into a micromounting expert began in 1938 with his first microscope purchase. His commitment to understanding crystallography led him to formal study at the University of Pennsylvania, where he developed the expertise that would later make his collection internationally renowned. The specimens in this auction reflect this scholarly approach, each piece carefully selected for its crystallographic significance.

Exceptional Specimens: A Closer Look
The collection offers numerous standout pieces that showcase both Seel's discriminating eye and Butler's preservation:

Remarkable Wulfenite Suite

Lot 102: An exceptional Wulfenite crystal group from the Red Cloud Mine, Arizona (10.0g)
Lot 126: A pristine Wulfenite specimen from Durango, Mexico (5.2g)

Historic Azurite Specimens

Lot 105: A magnificent Azurite crystal group from Bisbee, Arizona (10.1g)
Lot 114: Another superb Bisbee specimen showing remarkable crystal formation (7.5g)
Lot 126: An extraordinary Azurite/Malachite combination showcasing perfect crystal development (9.2g)

Rare Earth Treasures

Lot 110: A precious Benitoite crystal (0.5g) from the type locality in California
Lot 114: Another exceptional Benitoite specimen (3.0g) demonstrating remarkable preservation
Lot 124: A suite of Chrysoberyl specimens, including a rare Alexandrite variety from the Ural Mountains

Market Analysis and Investment Potential
The current mineral market shows increasing appreciation for specimens with documented historical significance. Pieces from well-known collectors like Seel, particularly those preserved by equally respected collectors like Butler, often command premium prices. For dealers and serious collectors, this auction represents several key opportunities:

• Historical Significance: The Seel-Butler provenance adds value to each specimen
• Scientific Documentation: Seel's meticulous recording practices provide crucial data for research
• Investment Grade Quality: Many specimens represent the finest examples from classic localities
• Educational Value: The collection demonstrates important crystallographic principles

The Scientific Legacy

Seel's contributions to mineralogy extended far beyond his personal collection. As president of both the Eastern Federation and American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, he helped standardize practices that modern collectors still use today. His particular expertise in diamond and quartz crystals led to the development of educational materials now housed at the Denver Museum of Natural History.

Curatorial Excellence
George Butler Jr.'s preservation of these specimens deserves special recognition. His background in photography and science informed his approach to mineral storage and documentation. The specimens remain in exceptional condition, many accompanied by original labels and documentation from Seel's era.

Understanding the Micromount Connection
Seel's induction into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame in 1981 recognized his pivotal role in advancing this specialized field. His work with the Leidy Microscopical Society, particularly as curator of the important F. J. Keeley Micromount Collection, established standards for specimen preparation and preservation that influenced generations of collectors.

Modern Market Context
Today's mineral market increasingly values specimens with established provenance and historical significance. The Butler-Seel collection offers both, along with exceptional specimen quality. For dealers, this presents an opportunity to acquire investment-grade pieces with documented history. For collectors, it's a chance to own specimens that connect directly to one of mineralogy's most important periods.

A Time-Sensitive Opportunity
The dispersal of this collection in multiple auctions represents a rare confluence of historical significance, specimen quality, and documented provenance. This unique assemblage of Paul Seel specimens, preserved through George Butler Jr.'s careful stewardship, represents a significant moment for the mineral collecting community. For both serious collectors and dealers, these pieces combine exceptional mineralogical quality with a distinguished collecting history.
 

Mineral Specimens Auction | December 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM

This scientific mineral specimen auction represents multiple significant collections, including specimens from Paul Seel, former president of the Leidy Microscopical Society and curator of the F.J. Keely Micromount Collection, alongside pieces from George A. Butler, Jr. and Harold A. Poole. The collection features over 200 lots of documented specimens, with significant quartz examples from Minas Gerais, Brazil, including crystalline formations up to 21 pounds. Notable specimens include smoky quartz, amethyst varieties, and double-terminated crystals. Rare mineral specimens include Crocoite from Dundas, Tasmania, Benitoite from California, and Alexandrite variety Chrysoberyl from the Ural Mountains, Russia. The collection includes valuable native metals specimens, including silver from Cobalt, Ontario, and copper from Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

Paleontological items feature seed fern fossils and marine specimens, including Megalodon fossils from Calvert Cliffs, Maryland. Complete trilobite specimens and Moroccan nautiloids add to the collection's scientific importance.Gemological specimens include sapphires and rubies from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Montana, and Madagascar. Multiple tourmaline specimens from Brazil showcase rare color varieties like indicolite.The collection maintains precise scientific documentation with weight measurements and locality data. Many specimens originate from now-closed mining operations, including examples from Tsumeb, Namibia, and Bisbee, Arizona. Professional storage includes wooden specimen cases from the Gem & Mineral Display Company of Phoenix, Arizona. The collection features fluorescent minerals from Franklin, New Jersey, including Willemite and Franklinite specimens known for their distinctive properties.Microscopically prepared specimens reflect Paul Seel's expertise in micromounting, featuring rare minerals from international locations prepared for scientific study. The collection demonstrates rigorous documentation practices typical of serious mineralogical collections.

In-Person Preview - Hatfield Location

Wednesday, November 27th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Monday, December 2nd from 9:00 – 3:00 PM

Schedule a Preview via preview@alderferauction.com or call 215-393-3000.

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