Walter Sage, before he was at the American Museum, maintained a nice
collection which he sold when he went to New York to become Collections
Manager at the AMNH.  He oiled his shells, and he always mixed lighter
fluid with his mineral oil before applying it. He swore by this formula,
and I always wondered what the lighter fluid did. He only said, when
asked, "Works better!" Anyone know? I never tried it, being at the time
a smoker and afraid I'd light my shells (or myself) on fire.

Lynn Scheu
Louisville KY
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Peter Egerton wrote:
>
> James,
>
> I'd use mineral oil instead of baby oil as baby oil has a perfume smell.
> I'm alergic to something in the scent of baby oil, maybe there's hyacinth
> in it, and sneeze profusely when exposed to it. Many people have alergies
> to perfumes, so...stick with mineral oil. (A freind of mine has baby oil
> on most of his collection...they're beautiful, but "yuck"!)
> Peter Egerton, Vanouver, Canada
>
> >James, I've heard of using baby oil or mineral oil on shells and it wouldn't
> >harm the shell since it's pretty inert. I have used mineral oil on shells
> >with no ill effects. Vicky Wall
> >
> >James M Cheshire wrote:
> >
> >> Dear all, I just oiled some self collected Nassarius vibex and
> >> an Epitonium rupicola. Now, I was wondering, does this decrease the
> >> value of the shell? I heard it is a great thing to do, as it restores the
> >> shells
> >> natural oil, and enhances the color. Should I have done this, or not?
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >> James
> >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Peter Egerton, Vancouver, Canada
> Collector of worldwide Mollusca
> http://www.intergate.bc.ca/personal/seashell/index.html
> -------------------------------------------------------