All right, Helmut, I've had my chuckle, now let's get serious. You will k=
now
that you are an "advanced collector" when people start introducing you to
other people as one at conchological meetings. Like this:

"Oh, Sam. It's good to see you. I'd like you to meet my friend Helmut
Nisters. You may not have heard of him, but he's one of the most
knowledgeable shell collectors in the Tyrol."

If she says "Austria" instead of "the Tyrol", then you know that you have
been promoted. And if she says "Europe" ... and isn't joking ... well! Th=
en
you really know that you have succeeded at last in becoming an Advanced
Collector.

Another indication that you have become an Advanced Collector is when peo=
ple
you don't know ask you for advice and you actually know the answers. That
goes like this:

"Dear Dr. Nisters,
Our mutual acquaintance, Dustin Monroe, recommended that I consult you ab=
out
a problem I've had with distinguishing species of landsnails from the
Dinaric Alps..."

Sometimes an Advanced Collector has prot=E9g=E9s. In this case, you will =
realize
that you are Advanced when you step up to Mary Hoffman (or whoever it is)
and say, "I'd like you to meet this young person who has been helping me
arrange shells for the Museum, etc. etc."

But, Helmut, the number of shells in a collection is not relevant. One ca=
n
have no shells at all and still be an expert on, say, the epitoniids or
pyramidellids. One can sell shells as a dealer and never keep any aside f=
or
oneself, and be very knowledgeable and advanced. Or one can be a curator =
of
a large collection and own no shells. And so on. I would also like to str=
ess
that a formal degree is not necessary to be considered as an expert. What=
 is
important is knowing something about shells and being able to communicate
that knowledge to others.

We are privileged to have the help of many experts on Conch-L, and no two
are alike.

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama