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stones of Amsterdam

Stone Conversations : Archive 1 : Message 00742

From: "Tom Williamson" <tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 10:15:31 -0000
Subject: stones of Amsterdam

I'm a geologist researching the history of the Portland
stone industry, and like Scott Engering, interested in
the Amsterdammers imports of stone, particularly in the
17th century.

They had plenty of money, ships and good architects,
they imported many different kinds of stone by water.
They imported much Bentheim sandstone from Germany
(alomg the Vecht), also Wezer sandstone from Germany
(Bremen), limestones from what is now Belgium, light red
limestone from Oland island, Sweden, volcanic rocks from
Germany along the Rhine and marbles from Italy.

They also imported the famous oolitic freestone from the
isle of Portland near England. I thought they might
have used Portland stone for some of the decorative
gable carvings called crolls, but couldn't identify any
on a recent visit. Like Scott, I'd much appreciate more
information about the stones of the Venice of the north.

Tom Williamson

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