FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Josh Chait
310.285.0182
josh@chait.com

I.M. Chait Offers A Piece of the Planet Sunday, June 28.

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BEVERLY HIlLS, CA. What with the green movement in the global mainstream and “Land of the Lost” capturing imaginations, everyone it seems wants a piece of the planet. The place to pick up collectible minerals, fossils, meteorites and dinosaur bones is I.M. Chait’s Natural History auction coming on Sunday, June 28.   

The auction, 1:00 PDT at the I.M. Chait Gallery in Beverly Hills and live online on-line at www.chait.com, features more than 300 specimens from both the ancient realm and the natural one.

Given the publicity "Ida" (Darwinius masillae) recently generated, there is bound to be plenty of interest in Lot 331 I.M. Chait’s Mosasaur skull. Found in the Khouribga phosphate deposits of Morocco, this deadly swimming reptile prowled the oceans over 65 million years ago. The relatively diminutive skull, just over two-feet long and about two-feet high, exhibits vicious looking teeth to set the imagination on edge. It is expected to draw strong interest at $40,000.

From Germany comes a superb Jurassic Ichthyosaur lot 330, shown in a gray shale plaque, has such fine detailing that one can examine the texture of its tiniest bones. Small pointed teeth, graduated disc-shaped paddle bones, a curved ribcage and exceptional three-dimensionality at its head and rostrum drive the estimate of this nearly six-foot long fossil to $40,000.

Oddly compelling Lot 162 comprised of agate- filled Haversian canal tubules, painstakingly carved into a perfect orb and then polished, is estimated at a low $400. In the low mid-range is Lot 341 a T-Rex tooth

Colorful, crystalline formations of gold, tourmaline, crystal and quartz, amethysts and aquamarines - minerals that have appreciated nearly tenfold in half as many years - make the sale sparkle.

Lot 13 a giant quartz crystal city that once dominated the entrance of the Kunsang Palyul Choeling temple in Montgomery County, Maryland, reaches skyward for an amazing 34 inches. With crystals growing upon crystals, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the skin of the jacaré, a South American caiman. The power of the crystal goes to the bidder who can approach the high estimate of $60,000.

Lot 35 a high-tone two and one-half inch Australian gold nugget weighing in at 19.1 ounces, with botryoidal raised areas and pitted crevices, is expected to fetch a high of $32,000.

Meanwhile, Lot 44 contrasted against a stark white matrix of crystallized cleavelandite is a stunningly transparent example of the gem quality minerals found in Afghanistan. This pristine example, six inches tall, will likely command about $22,500.

lots (39 – 43) a collection of multi-colored tourmalines with monikers like "watermelon," in clusters and columns, from Brazil and Afghanistan, are expected to catch more than one eye. The gem-like minerals carry estimates of $2000 to $26,000.

Lots 169 A complete slice of Glorieta Mountain, New Mexico, is a “siderite,” composed completely of iron. With a fusion crust, this specimen has been etched with nitric acid to expose the Widmanstatten pattern that criss-crosses it surface. It is estimated at $3500.

Another fantastic collection is lots (288 – 299) the grouping of arthropod fossils From a Hollywood Hills collection, it includes shrimp and dragonflies, waterbugs, beetles and lobster fossils. Their estimates range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

The June 28th Natural History Auction will take place at Chait's Beverly Hills salesroom. For complete details on the more than 300 lots in this sale, visit www.chait.com or in person at I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, 9330 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills. To order a fully illustrated color catalogue, $35 plus postage ($5 domestic, $15 international) Please call (800) 775-5020 or (310) 285-0182 or email us