Frank, if you ever find any of the common conus like lividus, flavidus, etc,
in gem or dang near to it I'm very interested . I have all but primus of the
rare stuff (not many splitters as i you know what i think on that subject),
got most of the $100.00 and above stuff too , now i just need the cheap
stuff. For years I've been looking for the elusive "yellow" conus generalis,
anyone seen one . anyway there is much to be said about the beauty of murex,
Mark James & Peta Susan Bethke
3001 South Ocean Dr. Suite 4-V
Hollywood, Florida
33019-2804
U.S.A.
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank S. Walker <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 12:42 AM
Subject: Re: Favorite shells
>As a small dealer, I have to say that I also find that Murex are rather
slow
>movers, but Conus are slow for me also. Cypraea are my largest mover, but I
>find that a number of other families are gaining in popularity. I just
placed
>a number of Pectens from a private collection for sale and only notified a
>hundred or so people for whom I had e-mail addresses. In less than 24
hours,
>over 15 replies and over $2000 worth of Pectens sold. Cymatiums are also
>gaining along with Bursa. The Oliva family has a strong following and the
>Strombus folks also seem well represented. What just happened with the
Pecten
>also happened about 5 months ago when I sold off a collection of Epitonium.
>There you have the facts. What does it prove? I think there are many
>different collectors that are waiting for the right shells and the right
>prices. When dealers give them what they want, they seem to come out of the
>woodwork. Many of my customers tell me they started with Cypraea, Conus or
>Murex but then switched to another family for a variety of reasons. The big
>surprise to me is the seeming drop off of Voluta collectors from 20 years
ago.
>
>Someone said that we are not attracting as much young blood into the hobby
as
>we use to attract. If that is so, and the numbers seem to support this,
than
>I believe it is having an impact on who collects what. Almost all of my
>younger collector these days are either European or Asian. I sure hope this
>trend doesn't continue. We need to support COA and local clubs as much as
>possible. Especially in areas where we can show the public what a great
hobby
>this is, and that you don't have to be rich to enjoy the beauty of the
seas.
>
>If I had to save three shells, they would be the three that mean the most
to
>me personally (a Cyp stolida I found on Okinawa, a Cyp cernica I found in 3
>feet of water and a Charonia tritonis with a broken spire found in a tidal
>pool at night). Not the most costly. But that's how we get the reputation
>among non collectors as being a group of rich people. Some of my best
>customers are on fixed incomes and can spend very little, but I can tell in
>their voices the excitement of waiting for that new shell, even though it
>only cost $2.00. I hope we all never lose the excitement of little children
>and that we share this with others so that they to be see and enjoy the
>beauty of the sea.
>
>Frank Walker
>Gems From The Sea
>72 Peltier Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 USA
>BUY - SELL - TRADE - Gift Certificates Available
>"Quality Specimen Sea Shells & Shell Crafts"
>(508) 481-7491; Fax: (508) 624-9778; out-of- state 1-800-497-3601
>E-mail: [log in to unmask] Web Site: http://www.shellgems.com
>
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