OK! Now for a reverse view.
      Cataloging comes under the heading of: "What do I do with the shells after I got 'em?"
       Probably a good idea for dealers.
       I worked at the Cincinnati Museum for several years. We had/have about 135,000 shells. (I know that because I counted them). We also have SIX CATALOGS. Not a single shell can be matched to a place in a catalog. The best ID of the shells is the little bits of paper shoved in the openings.
       Why are you cataloging? What do you intend for the disposal of your shells? Will a small book of names and numbers help?
        Hecky darn! What do I know!
                   Art


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PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is: [log in to unmask] Please update your records!

---- [log in to unmask] wrote:
> In a message dated 12/16/05 7:14:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
> >
> > I am fairly new to shell collecting and have enjoyed listening in to the
> > list.
> >
> > While my collection is quite small, but growing, I understand now is the
> > time to start cataloging.  Is there a standard way to catalogue?  Do I start
> > with number one and assign a number to each shell as I aquire them, or
> > should I use a alphanumeric system where a letter of the alphabet is
> > assigned to each family plus a number to identify each shell in that family?
> >
> > Should the number be attached to the shell itself or to it's box?  Otherwise
> > the paper label could be separated from the shell and the information lost.
> >
> > What does everyone else do?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Mark Stanley
> >
>
> Dear Mark,
>  This is a subject that has been written about many times in Conch-L history
> and there are many roads to the same ends. If you can access the archives, you
> will find many good ideas and hopefully one will be right for you. I would
> definitely advise you to keep a number and the I.D. paper with the shell with
> the number written on the shell. In addition a separate journal whether it be
> electronic or card file or handwritten should have the same information. For my
> shells, I first put a drop of whiteout on the shell and write over it with a
> good ink pen. At least for the larger shells.
>    Welcome to Conch-L
>        Carole Marshall

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