Mixed Minerals

This is a very old mineral collection box for teaching purpose.

"Josef Strobach" listed on the label was a high-ranking socialist politician finally appointed to provisional mayor of Vienna from 1896-1897.

But Josef Strobach was also a bookseller and publisher of teaching materials.

Since 1888 he has been producing teaching materials independently with his own company.
We therefore estimate the age of this mineral box to be the late 19th or early 20th century

In total there are 50 different minerals, which are numbered and arranged as before in the intended order. Most of them are the original pieces, some may have been added later.

Another astonishing feature is that many of the minerals have historical labels. Some of these are written in "old script," making them difficult to read even for German speakers.

The minerals themselves are examples for school use, but the pieces are very well selected and can be recognized as such.

Especially considering that the minerals are more than 100 years old.

The pieces are embedded on old (yellowed) cotton wool, the historical labels are also correspondingly old and should be treated with care.

Most minerals are stable, but rock salt and alaun have not survived the centuries unscathed.

The box is made of sturdy, hard cardboard and is shipped complete with the minerals and labels.