[meteorite-list] Nininger to Hender Letter: June 17, 1958 British Museum gets meteorites

[MARK BOSTICK]

(American Meteorite Museum Letterhead)

AMERICAN METEORITE MUSUEM
P.O. Box 146         Sedona, Arizona


                                                         June 17, 1958

Dr. E. P. Henderson
Department of Mineralogy
The U.S. National Museum
Washington, D.C.

Dear Dr. Henderson:

     The British Museum has come through with a definite letter of 
acceptance of the "vertical split" of our collection for which they had 
asked.  As we had told you, they had priority by reason of having stated 
negotiations for this segment of the collection before you approached us.
     In view of this development and by reason of tax considerations we are 
not now in position to consider further sales.  We are, therefore, 
withdrawing all offers to sell any part of the collection other than 
individual items to researchers and the usual common specimens to individual 
collectors.
     In short, we shall continue for the present at least to operate on the 
same old basis, promoting education and research through our museum.
     We realize that this is going to mean a great disappointment to you and 
many others in this country but I am sure you will agree that we have 
proceeded fairly in the matter.
     It has never been our wish to see the collection leave this country as 
is testified by the many attempts we made to interest American institutions 
in it during the past decade. We were taken by complete surprise when Max 
Hey approached us with the proposition which had now crystallized in this 
sale. I know you will understand.

                                                             Cordially,
                                                               (Signed)
                                                               H.H. Nininger

NNH/AN
CC: Dr. Raymond J. Seeger
      Assistant Director
       National Science Foundation

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
www.meteoritearticles.com