Preserving an animal is generally done with ethanol, propanol, or
formalin (formaldehyde made slightly less odiferous - but not
recommended for long-term storage of shells even if neutralized).
Propanol is cheapest, and can be obtained in 90% strength, which is most
useful.  However, Ethanol in the form of overproof vodka or rum (about
70% i think?) is also not too expensive so i have been told.  I don't
know why fading should be reported - could have been due to some
denaturing agent in the alchohol being used.  If space is a
consideration, the beasties could be pickled for a month or so, then
placed in sealed bags (using one of those freezer-bag sealing devices,
perhaps), wrapped in an alchohol-soaked paper towel.   I don't know of
any other readily-available preservant that would fit the bill - anybody??

From the postman's nightmare city,
ross M.

> Subject: Preserve the animal & shell without smell
> From: Jan Haspeslagh  mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
> Hi all,
>
> I have a question to answer for our national radio station (a
> programme where questions pertaining to practical household problems
> are solved). A concerned wife of a shell collector evidently
> discovered the less popular odours that come with her husbands
> inoffensive hobby... Now she wants to know if she has other choices
> besides burning down the hobby-room or divorce!
>
> The real question is: what is the best way to preserve a shell with
> the animal and without the odour? Alcohol wasn't good due to the high
> cost, the loss of colour and the space the jars take. Are there any
> ready-made answers in the Conch-L archives? And under what subject
> line will I find these?
>
> Thanks for any help, and best greetings
>
> Jan