MINERALS 
Bailey 
Collection, 
$4,000. 
J. Pierpont 
Morgan 
Collections. 
Bement 
Collection, 
$100,000. 
THE mineral collections began with the purchase of the Bailey 
Collection, the acquisition of which at once led to the estab- 
lishment of a Department of Mineralogy. 
The Bailey Collection of Minerals contained 7,000 cabinet specimens 
and was purchased in 1874 for $4,000. It was stored in the Arsenal 
until transferred to the Geology Hall in 1882. 
The minerals exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition 
by the Governments of Canada, Spain, Brazil, Tasmania, and New 
Zealand, were given to the Museum in 1876. 
The development of the Department of Mineralogy since the 
Bailey Collection was secured has been due largely to the generosity 
of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, to whom the Museum is indebted for its 
gem collection and the Bement Collection of minerals. The first part 
of the Tiffany gem collection was presented in 1890, and consists of 
the exhibits made by the Tiffany Company for display at the Paris 
Exposition of 1889. Especially noteworthy are the series of sapphires, 
topazes, beryls, garnets, and tourmahnes. The gem collection was 
more than doubled in 1900 by the acquisition of the Tiffany Exhibit 
at the Paris Exposition of 1900, comprising 1,453 entries, which was 
purchased by Mr. Morgan (estimated value $100,000) and presented 
to the Museum. The Tiffany gem collection has been continuously 
increased by gifts from its founder, until to-day it ranks first in size, 
value, and importance in the country. 
The Bement Collection of minerals was presented to the Museum 
in 1900 by Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan (estimated value $100,000). 
This collection was brought together by Mr. Clarence S. Bement, and 
had long had the reputation of being the finest private collection of 
exhibition specimens in the world. It contained 12,000 specimens, 
including many rare species. 
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