For almost 30 years Geoff Notkin has traveled the world in search of meteorites, those ancient outer space relics that have fallen to Earth. He shared his adventures in the Science Channel series “Meteorite Men” and through lectures and appearances on almost every continent, has aroused interest in science and space exploration. He has been a devoted hunter and meteorite collector, amassing a large collection. But now, after much deliberation, Notkin has decided to auction off some of his personal meteorite collection, as well as other personal items.
Of course, our first question was, why? Are you leaving the field of meteorite hunting?
‘Poster’ for the Geoff Notkin collection at Heritage Auctions.
“Meteorites have been the big passion of my life,” Notkin said by phone from his home. “But now I would really like the collection to go out into the world, find new homes and let other people enjoy it. Some of these extraordinary, unusual and beautiful pieces have only been seen by the person who collected them, and I don’t think it would do him any justice to store them in a vault or display case. These exquisite meteorites deserve to be in the world to be admired. “
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The auction will be held by Heritage Auctions, one of the largest collectors’ auction houses in the world, through a live and online auction on June 22, 2022. You can see all the details of this signature auction on the Heritage Auctions website. The online auction is now available for bidding.
Geoff Notkin shows some of the meteorites in his collection that are up for auction.
Notkin, author, adventurer, photographer and TV presenter and producer of Telly and Emmy Award-winning television, as well as a meteorite recovery specialist, said he will not leave the world of meteorites behind. He still owns his meteorite shop, Aerolite Meteorites, and said he could never turn his back on meteorites.
“I have a huge thank you to the meteorite field and all the expeditions I’ve been on, and I promise I’ll keep some of the favorites,” he said. “But as we grow and change, and as we age, there are other interests in my life that I would like to devote time to. But new interests do not mean we have to give up an old interest, maybe just n ‘Let’s add a new one!’
Geoff Notkin with his “Meteorite Men” co-host Steve Arnold when they found a large iron meteorite in Kansas. Image courtesy of Geoff Notkin.
The 136 lots in The Geoff Notkin Collection are meteorites from places around the world.
“They represent to me the very, most fascinating, most beautiful and interesting pieces that I have found, acquired or marketed over the last 30 years,” Notkin said. “Hopefully, some of them could go to university or museum collections, as that would make me very happy. The most important thing for me is that the public can see and enjoy them. “
“This collection is an enormously important set, one of the best in the world and one that the best collectors have been waiting for years to see,” said Craig Kissick, director of nature and science at Heritage Auctions. “Geoff Notkin is not just a TV character who talked about meteorites. He has spent his life studying meteorites, traveling around the world to put together a collection worthy of being exhibited in any museum. His passion and love for meteorites it is evident when looking at the scope and breadth of this assortment, especially when they realize that so many specimens in the collection are the best known examples of the type by size. “
These are just some of the highlights of the auction:
Final cut of the Brenham meteorite “The Green Brenham”. Palasita, located in Kansas, USA (estimated: $ 25,000 or more). Image by Heritage Auctions, HA.com NWA 13227 Martian Meteorite Slice. Martian (Shergotite), found in North West Africa (estimated at $ 20,000 or more). Image by Heritage Auctions, HA.com A Sikhote-Alin, an iron meteorite that fell in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains in southeastern Russia in 1947, (estimated at $ 725). Image by Heritage Auctions, HA.com
In addition to meteorites, there are also personal items, such as Notkin’s metal detector, the vest he wore during expeditions for the filming of “Meteorite Men,” and even his own guitar (yes, he plays!)
Geoff Notkin hunting meteorites in the Sahara desert. Image courtesy of Geoff Notkin.
Notkin said several things came together in his life, which led him to make the decision to sell part of his collection.
“The pandemic gave me time to sit still and reflect,” he said. “And when I turn 60, I think about how I’ve had a very busy life, full trips, expeditions, filming and scientific writing. I haven’t stopped breathing very often, and I realized I’d like to sit still for a while! I have been looking for meteorites for almost 30 years and I also have many other interests. So it’s not at all a case that I’m bored of meteorites, as I’ve had such a satisfying career in the field. But it is time to explore other interests. “
Geoff Notkin hunting meteorites in a crater in Australia. Image courtesy of Geoff Notkin.
Notkin said he wants to go back to school and get his master’s degree so he can teach. “I’m a graduate of an art school who fell in love with science,” he said. “One of my life goals now is to teach art at the university level.” Notkin also wants to get involved in local-oriented projects such as community theater, work with plant and animal and ecology enthusiasts, and help restore natural habitats.
Notkin was first captivated by meteorites at the age of six when his mother took him to a museum exhibition in the United Kingdom, showing rocks from space. His first thought was that one day he wanted to have his own meteorite.
“My childhood dream definitely came true!” He said. “My experience is very full, and I am very grateful for that. And while I still have a lot of drive and enthusiasm for life, travel and adventure, I will explore some new and different areas. “
Main image title: Geoff Notkin hunting meteorites in Monturaqui crater in Chile. Image courtesy of Geoff Notkin.
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