Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/11/2023
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Categories No Categories

Speaker:

Jenna Sharp, Curator

Title:

The Creasy collection

Wednesday 8 November 2023, 7.30pm    (venue opens at 6.30pm for socialising)

Venue:

WA Lapidary and Rock Hunting Club Inc.
31 Gladstone Road, Rivervale

Abstract

Rocks, mining, and metallurgy have been vitally important to the advancement of the human race. Our evolution from mere animals to the technologically advanced creatures we are today is measured by, and named for, the most important metallurgical developments of each age: stone, bronze, and iron. Our mining heritage is intimately entwined with our history and as such, it is vitally important to preserve our earth sciences heritage.  The Creasy Collection aims to do just that, while also fostering research and advancement.

The heart of the collection is the library, which focuses on all publications related to Earth Sciences before mass printing (1870), with a particular focus on pre-1800s material. Surrounding this heart is the geological specimen collection, which is primarily composed of smaller collections purchased directly from the collector who assembled them. This ensures that the providence of the collection is preserved along with the physical items.

Complimenting the books and the rocks are a variety of instruments & equipment, ephemera, art, artefacts, and many more. Items from the everyday worker to the highfliers of the intellectual classes are captured in the collection. The vast volume of knowledge allows for a in depth study every aspect of life in the mining industry.

The displays I assemble each year for PGMS offer a unique opportunity to display a snapshot of the collection. Each year I aim to create displays that will appeal to both professionals and the general public. During my talk, in addition to discussing the collection in general I will also provide the background and my motivations for each display I put on this year.

About the speaker

I have worked for Mark for over 11 years. The first five years was with his Exploration team, and then I moved to collections. In my work as Curator I look after everything that is not a book (unless that book relates to Skylab).