[meteorite-list] willamette iron meteorite

[E. L. Jones]

I doubt there is any that is legally available for collectors now that 
the Feds have stepped in. I am pretty sure all the Willamette meteorite 
is claimed and ratified by a US Federal Court as a native religious 
artifact by the consolidated tribes in Oregon and thus subject to return 
to them.  They have claimed ownership of the <ahem>"main mass" in the 
New York  Planetarium and in a legal agreement they have placed the main 
mass on loan rather than tear down the whole thing to get it out.

If it just came from Europe-- Shouldn't it be seized in customs?  Sure 
it is a ittsy bitty amount-- 45 grams  as compared to the main mass but 
those Native Americans were pretty successful and almost made the City 
of New York tear down the planetarium.  I don't think they would tear 
down your house , Steve.  However now that they know you know where it 
is they will probably ask the FBI to seize it  since it has been 
recognized in a US Court as a native artifact.  But if it were me I'd go 
for it and fight them in court.  You might fair better being a single 
individual rather than being the city of New York.

You might be able to get the recognized owners to let you keep it on 
loan if you can trade them beaver pelts or something else they need.  
Maybe you could buy it and let the contact in Europe keep it for you and 
you can go visit it.  I don't think the US law directly applies to 
Europeans.  To get an artifact returned for overseas the owner has to 
go  through a UN Agency and it would take a few years for them to act maybe.

Good Luck  Let us know how the trade goes.
EJ

Steve Arnold, Chicago!!! wrote:

>Hi list.I need some info on the willamette meteorite.I know according to
>meteorites A to z, IT SAYS,a IIIAB iron, found 1902, clackamas
>co.,oregon.TKW is 14.100 kilo's.But what I need to know, is what is the
>availability in collections around the world.I am making another major
>trade from my collection, and I'll be getting a 45 gram slice of the
>willamette iron.And no it is not shale.I have seen the actual piece.The
>only history I know of this piece,is that it was in a major  collection in
>europe.And now resides up here in the states.If anyone can help please let
>me know when you can.
>
>                                                    steve
>
>=====
>Steve R.Arnold, Chicago, IL, 60120 
>I. M. C. A. MEMBER #6728 
>Illinois Meteorites 
>website url http://stormbringer60120.tripod.com
>http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/illinoismeteorites/
> 
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