Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 94. (Budapest 2002)

Matskási, I.: Bicentenary of the Hungarian Natural History Museum

clearance, and reconstruction conducted until 1963 under the control of LÁSZLÓ TOKODY, the position of the department became stabilised by the mid-60s. Eighty to 90% of 130,000 mineral and 8,000 stone samples were destroyed in 1956. Of 1,295 meteorites only 610 were saved. Hungarian citizens and foreigners attempted to make up for the losses by donations. Thanks to emergency budget funds, the remains of some old private collections (some 4,000 pieces) could be purchased. Despite modest financial possibilities, regular mineral purchases first made at and around Rudabánya, Gyöngyösoroszi and Recsk, and later on mineral exchanges continually increasing in number have greatly contributed to enriching the collection since the 1970s. The new permanent exhibition after the fire was open from 1962 through 1988 in the building of the National Museum. The next big change in the life of the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology followed in 1995 when the Department, after 150 years, moved into the Ludoviceum again. At present, we give an inkling of the Carpathian Basin's most interesting minerals in the new exhibition hall. The main body of the Department's collection is divided up into three main registered units. Collection of Minerals Not only its size but also its historical and educational significance make it by far the biggest collection. Approximately one third of nearly 54,000 inventory items come from the old collection. Specimens that have long been unobtainable and originate from classical sites stand out of the mainly Carpathian Basinoriented collection. The facet precious opal samples of Vörösvágás (Cervenica, Slovakia) add a special colour to the collection. As regards the material acquired after 1956, mention is to be made of magnificent minerals that originate from the ore deposits of Rudabánya and Gyöngyösoroszi, and the quarry of Erdőbénye Thanks, primarily, to the remains of the LOBKOWITZ collection that have come down to our time, there is a very nice, old material originating outside the Carpathian Basin, from deposits in Bohemia, Moravia, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The pre1956, old collection also contains some glowing specimens from other parts of Europe and nearly every other corner of the world. Department of Petrography The Italian decorative stone collection donated by King VICTOR EMMANUEL II in the 1870s and comprising 400 brick-shaped patterns may be considered the most remarkable part of the 18,500-item collection.