[meteorite-list] Request for help in procuring meteorites

[Ed Deckert]

Hello list,

Some of you may recall that about 2 months ago I put out a request for a 
source of tektites.  My reason for needing them was to raise money for the 
Greensboro Astronomy Club.  Well, I obtained a nice supply of tektites, and 
along with some NWAs (unclassifieds and some nice NWA 4293 individuals) I 
had an opportunity last weekend to try selling them at a local Gem & Mineral 
show.  I got a free table at the show as I am a also gem club member, and I 
was not doing this for personal gain.

I was pleasantly surprised to have $282.00 in gross sales.  Since I am not 
charging the club for any of the materials, the net donation is $280.00. 
What surprised me even more was that people kept asking me if I had any 
other meteorites that they could look at.  Well, other than the pieces that 
I had in my personal collection (which are not for sale) I had to say 
"sorry, but I do not."  It would appear that I had an opportunity to sell 
many more meteorites, but it slipped through my fingers because I had 
nothing to sell.  We will have another opportunity to sell at "Tri Star," 
which is a day of Astronomy related talks, solar viewing, Astrophotography 
Contest, and an evening viewing session.  Although no details are finalized 
yet, here is one link to our club page announcing the March, 2007 Tri Star:
http://greensboroastronomyclub.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=41

Here is a link to the March, 2006 Tri Star information: 
http://technet.gtcc.cc.nc.us/comserv/cline/tristar.htm

Please let me explain our club's project, and then I have a favor to ask. 
We are currently raising funds to build a small observatory outside of the 
Natural Science Center of Greensboro (Greensboro, NC,  USA.)  They have a 
Planetarium, and the Planetarium Curator is our club's Newsletter Editor. 
He is also one of our biggest supporters in terms of being there for us when 
we need him.  We are lucky to have him.  Our President has generously 
committed to donate a large telescope and mount for the observatory.  All we 
need is the money to build it.  The Museum is willing to help us raise some 
funds, but we need to demonstrate on our end that we are willing to do so as 
well.  The aforementioned $282.00 is a nice start.

And now, the favor we need.  I am not a meteorite dealer.  I have sold 
mineral specimens in the past, but none of my wholesale suppliers sold 
meteorites.  Well, OK, there was one who had some Nantans about 8 years ago. 
I bought one and it rusted from the inside-out after about 3 years, and I 
was disappointed.  But I digress...  The only other way I have obtained 
meteorites is for my personal collection, through ebay purchases and direct 
purchases from several meteorite dealers.  I cannot rely on ebay to obtain 
items for fundraising sales.  To make any profit, I would have to charge way 
too much to offset the postage fees, and many ebay sales do not end up 
selling at wholesale prices.

I need perhaps several dealers who would be willing to deal with me on a 
wholesale price basis to help us with our fundraising.  Or perhaps to point 
me in the right direction so we can obtain meteorites at a price where we 
can make a decent profit.  Consignment could work, but I would like to 
maximize profit, and I do not mind laying out the money.  (Some may wonder 
why I do not just make a donation.  Selling these specimens provides 
education and interest to individuals where none currently exists.  We can 
help propagate meteorite collecting, as well as an interest in Astronomy and 
Space Exploration.)

I am not looking for exotics as they would not be a good investment for this 
purpose, and my wallet.  I cannot afford to buy up part slices of Lunars, 
Martians, PALs, or rarities, etc. that have tremendous value.  I suppose 
that I am looking at more mainstream and reasonably priced specimens like 
some irons - perhaps some shrapnel or individual Sikhote-Alin, and various 
stony meteorites.  I would like to diversify and not have all NWA materials 
if possible.

Since I am not a meteorite dealer, I really do not know which specimens are 
less expensive on a wholesale basis, and still of interest to collectors.  I 
guess in a round-about way I am saying that I am not looking at specimens 
that wholesale for over $8.00 per gram, or so.

I am not looking to get hundreds of specimens.  Probably somewhere in the 
range of 2 to 3 dozen so as not to break the bank.  I will end up donating 
all of this, and at the same time, I have to maintain the house.  I think 
all of you can relate to that.

If anyone can help, it would be appreciated.  Please contact me off-list if 
you like.  (Oh, let me mention that all donations are cheerfully accepted!)

Sorry to be so long-winded.  Thank you!!!!!

Ed