Richard “Dick” Barstow is one of the UK’s best regarded mineral collectors and dealers. His background/early years were spent working in sampling office at South Crofty mine and then Geevor. The mineral business started in January 1973 from his home in Tregeseal, Botallack, Cornwall, then moved to Drakewalls House, Gunnislake in 1978. It is possible to date specimens with “green labels” with the respective addresses present. He was active all over the UK/Ireland and is remembered for his dig in the Caldbeck fells (Barstow Trench) and especially for the specimens brought back from Tynagh mine and also Silvermines in Ireland. Barstow sold mostly through monthly lists; these were diverse, affordable and informative, with a wide following by collectors everywhere. The lists are now collector’s items in their own right!
Certainly he is remembered fondly by an “elder” generation of UK collectors, with many stories about his exploits and collecting trips still regularly discussed.
His personal collection (with white labels) was extensive and items sought after now; though various portions now belong to Plymouth City Museum and the Camborne School of Mines. Sadly Barstow died at the age of 35 in 1982. After his death his collection and stock were auctioned and dispersed.
A portion of the collection is held in Plymouth City Museum.
Various business monthly sales lists still exist, plus there is an auction catalogue for collection dispersal.
Also note; it has been reported that unused "blank" labels have been in circulation, and also the possibility that fake labels have been created.
Usually it is possible to tell if authentic by the typewriter font or handwriting used.
