This is the first of seven articles concerning the History of the Club.

Joel Johnstone

It appears that the first time the club started being concerned with its history was for its 20th Anniversary in 1964. By this time many of the original members of the Club had either passed or had moved on. It was then that they discovered much of the early records held by the Secretary and Historian were missing or incomplete and they started to attempt to contact early members to fill in the blanks.

At the Club meeting on February 10, 1964 a number of “well known and qualified speakers” were invited to present to the members some of the problems that confronted the Club at the beginning and to also bring some of the lighter side and personal reminiscences.

In the next News Nuggets, they regret that many more of the long-time members had not attended. The Club increased their efforts after this to fill in the blanks as best they could. This culminated 5 years later at the Silver Anniversary of the club in 1969 with a great historical write-up by Dean Wise.

The club celebrated the 30th (1974) and 40th (1984) Anniversaries with large specially decorated cakes. Nothing seems to have been done since then to celebrate the club’s anniversary. On January 22 of this year, the club celebrated 80 years of existence. 

The following is from a compilation of sources, not the least of which was an article written for the New Mexico Miner & Prospector, Publication Of The New Mexico Miners And Prospectors Association, Don Lusk, Editor; Vol. 10, No. 1 , November 1947. By the time of this publication the club had been in existence for almost 4 years. This appears to be the first attempt at documenting the early history of the club. It also is the first publication we have of the club’s Constitution.

To this has been added information gleaned from early ledgers (1944 to 1954), newsletters and the historical write-up by Dean Wise on the occasion of the Club’s 25th anniversary. I do not consider myself a great writer, so much of the following is simply a compilation of others words edited so it reads well. 

Formation of the Club 

In the beginning the enthusiasm of the young geologist was necessary to promote our country’s urgent search for strategic minerals during the dark days of World War II. Amateur and professional rock hunters eagerly attended the University of New Mexico’s Community Evening College for studies on the “Critical Minerals of New Mexico”. This class was taught by Dr. Vincent C. Kelley, who later became the Director of the Department of Geology and an honorary Member of our Club.

Friendships developed in these classes as was the desire to continue the pleasant associations. During the class, Oscar Branson, a graduate student, suggested a club composed of people interested in gems and minerals in New Mexico would be an interesting continuation of the course. Other class members agreed and the concept for a gem and mineral club was formed. And so it was that the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club was named and formally organized on January 22, 1944.

The 17 initial members were: Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Branson, Mr. & Mrs. Saul Bell*, Mr. & Mrs. Ben Boddy, Mr. & Mrs. Paytims, Mr. & Mrs. Guy Shockley, Dr. Vincent Kelly, Mrs. Bessie Paradis, Mr. Bill Gilpin, Captain Edwin Fisher, Mr. William Parker, Ken Carmichael, and Jerry Burnham. Initially chartered with 17 members, by the end of the first year the Club had grown to 30 and by the end of 1947 had grown to a membership of 56. The first several years, members were issued numbered cards to indicate their membership. 

Besides still being in World War II, the early records indicate the new Club was beset by many problems. Mostly people problems. Where to meet? What kind of programs? Who, and where were the leaders? This era passed when, as recorded in the minutes, an Executive Committee stated there was too much emphasis being placed on social activities and not enough on rocks. 

The climax of the first five years occurred in August 1949 when the club hosted the 6th Annual Convention of the young Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies. This affair, which was attended by the noted mineralogist Dr. Richard M. Pearl, was de- scribed as the most successful convention to date for the young Rocky Mountain Federation. 

*Yes that is Saul Bell of the Saul Bell Design Award Competition and founder of Rio Grande Jewelers Supply. About the time of the foundation of AGMC, an opportunity arose for him to purchase the White Eagle Trading Post, located along Route 66, (renamed Central Avenue where it passed through the heart of downtown Albuquerque). He ran White Eagle as his primary business while he launched Rio Grande as a wholesale supplier. Impressive huh? 

Part Two: Organization, Meetings & Programs