Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 31, 2010 12:37:31 GMT -5
Howdy folks, Well, another really cold day so I'm working indoors where it's warm. Been labeling my photobucket pics so ole Lowell ( elementary) can use some for his online agate/jasper database he's thinking of constructing. Since I had my notebooks out for doing the ID work on things I couldn't remember off the top my head, I'm working on them a bit too. Here's a pic to show you what I'm assembling. This is just four of the six volumes. It's all loose leaf, color, double sided sheets in plastic sheet protectors so I can reorganize them and add more pages or pics whenever I want. Probably bee working on it for as long as I live and can afford printer ink which gets expensive for this project *L* Each volume is about 250 pages with multiple pics per page, so I'm about 1500 pages and growing with probably well over 5000 agate and jasper types. Sad to say, I've barely scratched the surface too. Have several hundred more things, just in my collection, still to photograph *L*.....Mel Closer shot of set up. I also have types notes in the front that are strictly text updates, corrections, new locations etc.
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CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
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Post by CUL-Ann on Jan 31, 2010 12:44:09 GMT -5
WOW ==I think everyone seeing this will want a copy :2cents: , I know that's the first thought I had!!! :drool: :cheesy: :drool:
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Post by frane on Jan 31, 2010 13:06:08 GMT -5
That takes so much effort and the photos are beautiful, not to mention the slabs and rocks themselves! I love it! Fran
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Post by tkrueger3 on Jan 31, 2010 13:37:37 GMT -5
Wow, Mel - have you thought about publishing this pictorial anthology yet? I bet it would sell well to rockhounds of all ages, especially as a soft-cover, mulitple-edition piece.
(No, I'm serious!)
Tom
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Post by akansan on Jan 31, 2010 13:38:11 GMT -5
I've lusted virtually after your notebooks each time you mention them, Mel. This small peek is just a tease!!
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Post by parfive on Jan 31, 2010 15:26:03 GMT -5
Remarkable collection, Mel!!
I’m curious what your oldest digital pics look like nowadays, however many years after printing. They probably fared better in an album vs out on display - pics that have never seen direct sunlight are crap in two or three years.
Newer inks/printers supposedly much improved for longevity, but I doubt they’ve improved enough to match good ol’ film.
Rich
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nancyid
has rocks in the head
No stone goes unturned.
Member since January 2009
Posts: 563
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Post by nancyid on Jan 31, 2010 16:19:31 GMT -5
Wow, Mel - have you thought about publishing this pictorial anthology yet? I bet it would sell well to rockhounds of all ages, especially as a soft-cover, mulitple-edition piece. (No, I'm serious!) Tom Ditto that. We want a book, we want a book . . .
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 31, 2010 16:41:40 GMT -5
Unfortunately, this could not be printed as a book because of expense ( I checked it out at the very beginning) and because of copyright issues. Because it was impossible for me to get examples of everything for my own collection and operate from just that source, I was forced to download pics from E-Bay, other websites, RTH, and all over so I can use the images only for my private use. Can't sell other folks' pics *S*.
Rich: My oldest pics are only a few years old and seem to be holding up well. Albums are stored in a dark book case. I am on my second printer and the new one produces quality way better than the old. I also quit using cheap ink from internet sources as it destroyed my first printer but clogging up all the jets. Now I use the expensive stuff and it seems to be much better than the other. The paper matters too. I've got to use photo quality paper or the ink diffuses too much and the pics don't last. It'll be interesting seeing how well the photos in my notebooks last, but even if they go bad, with the loose leaf format, it's possible to replace them...Mel
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Jan 31, 2010 23:48:36 GMT -5
Mel, What criteria do you use for adding pics to your notebooks? Are they only North American, or do you add Australia, South American, and more? Is there anything you leave out? I guess - what's easier to answer - what do you look for? or what do not include? You do know how to draw a crowd! Lowell
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 1, 2010 0:57:08 GMT -5
Lowell: I look for examples that I think are excellent representatives of the type, same as I do for my type slab collection. I'll also include an oddball if I think the locations/identifications can be verified by comparison to other examples. Verification, with all the trade names and such is the hardest part. I add notes later if I find any corrections that need to be made. I cover the whole world and have a book especially for outstanding representative cab photos too. I also include some materials that are not really agate or jasper but are called such in the trades and add an explanation. I try not to include non quartz gems as there are just too darn many of them and ink costs too darn much *L* For photos I don't take myself, I try to find a really well done photo of a wet slab or polished specimen with fine detail and a background that does not detract form the specimen or that can be cropped out. Believe me, You'll find some types that's it's nearly impossible to find a specimen or a good pic of too. My big score a couple of years ago was a Mexican Sweet Potato Nodule which, to my way of thinking, is one of the toughest t-egg like (kinda) nodules to find. Only thing tougher is a Templeton Biconid or Chinese Hat T-Egg. I nearly fainted when a guy brought one weighing about 5 pounds (largest I've ever seen) into the VGMS silent auction booth for ID one year. I friggin almost fainted but it was not for sale. Guess I should have offered to buy it before I told the guy how rare it was huh *L*?? Kinda shot myself in the foot with that one....Mel
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 2, 2010 22:31:03 GMT -5
Mel, these notebooks I bet are truely fantastic. Maybe someday we'll all be able to paruse them.
Nate
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Post by Woodyrock on Feb 3, 2010 2:42:32 GMT -5
OK, this wee teaser just caused me to drowl all over my keyboard! It would be nice if it was possible to have this printed at a cost one could afford. The digital data base will be great, just waiting.
As an aside, Mel, post a request for agate photographs of those which you do not have. Maybe some of us have either the material, or the photograph. I know, that if I have something you do not, you are welcome to it. Both slab, and photograph, Woody
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 3, 2010 13:22:16 GMT -5
That's impressive Mel!
Have you ever considered opening a small museum?
Chuck
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Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
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Post by Haleysdream on Feb 3, 2010 15:41:50 GMT -5
OMG Your books are priceless ! You really should see about publishing.
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Feb 5, 2010 23:24:44 GMT -5
Wow, Mel, I hope we have a lot more cold weather! As a librarian, I can sort-of relate to the kind of job that is never finished.... How do you catalog the existing collection when so many new things (books, rocks, pics) are coming in, too?!
What a treasure trove of info you've got there.
Amy
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damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
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Post by damammy on Feb 6, 2010 19:12:44 GMT -5
Forget the pictures, which room was it you keep your agate collection in? Also what is the date of your next rock digging trip? ;D With all my specimens, I still am drawn to agates, their patterns and color just amaze me. Donna
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