The 15.5-ton Willamette Meteorite, discovered in Oregon in 1902, is the largest meteorite ever found in the United States and the sixth largest in the world. It is also again the source of debate, involving American Indian religious traditions, the pending auction of a 28-pound chunk that was sliced off six years ago, and the collectors’ market for rocks that fall from the sky.

Mr. Pitt, who believes there are roughly 20 pieces of the meteorite in private hands now, has put up the bulk of his piece up for auction. Bonhams is scheduled to sell the rock as one of 45 lots up for auction next month

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Posted: 09|15|07 at 9:43 am. Filed under: Auction News.