In the nineteen eighties then owner Jersey Miniere Zinc of the Elmwood Complex in Middle Tennessee near Carthage began to offer auctions by invitation only to mineral dealers and collectors. My father Joe Kielbaso and myself were lucky to be invited to these offerings to try and win various lots by bidding.
On one particular trip we invited Rock H. Currier of Jewel Tunnel Imports and Stanley Esbenshade to travel along and the photos below are representative of what you would see depending on what had been found underground since the last auction.
Joe Kielbaso and Rock H. Currier happy to have won an impressive tray of calcites. Photo: Rock H. Currier
Now the boring part of wrapping the winnings for transport from the Elmwood Mine offices and Vault. Joe Kielbaso foreground, Mark Kielbaso standing and wrapping with Stanley Esbenshade in the cool plaid coat wondering what we just bought. Photo: Rock H. Currier
Larger pieces of Elmwood Mine material being individually numbered and auctioned. Photo: Rock H. Currier
A complete tray of fluorite from the Elmwood Mine to be auctioned in it's entirety. Photo Rock H. Currier
Joe Kielbaso reviewing bids of the Elmwood Mine material in the Elmwood Mine office Vault with Fred Smith watching on. Photo: Rock H. Currier
Stanley Esbenshade conferring with Joe Kielbaso on the finer points of bidding for the Elmwood Mine Calcites and Fluorites. Photo: Rock H. Currier
Mark Kielbaso reviewing the Elmwood Mine Calcites and Fluorites wondering if there might ever be a chance to collect underground! Photo: Rock H. Currier
An exceptional Elmwood Calcite and Fluorite combination. Photo: Rock H. Currier
A large plate of Calcite Elmwood Mine. Photo: Rock H. Currier
Very large Elmwood Mine Calcites and Fluorites for auction at the Elmwood Mine office. Photo: Rock H. Currier
A printed out list of the Calcites and Fluorites for auction at the Elmwood Mine in Smith County, Tennessee. Photo: Rock H. Currier
Trays full of Elmwood Mine Calcite and Fluorite for auction at the Elmwood Mine Vault. Photo: Rock H. Currier
A tray full of Elmwood Mine Calcites for auction at the Elmwood Mine in Smith County, Tennessee. Photo: Rock H. Currier
The Gordonsville Mine shaft in the background and the offices in the foreground. This was the meeting place for the auctions and then travel to the Elmwood Mine offices to view the lots of Elmwood Calcites and Fluorites. Photo: Rock H. Currier
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