I believe W.F. Webb from Rochester, NY was an early dealer.  I do not know
any dates for him.

Rick Negus
Carlsbad, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Thomas Eichhorst
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 1:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] Earliest American Shell Dealer

I recently had a question posed about the earliest American shell dealer.
While there is plenty in the literature about 18th century European shell
dealers, we seem to have started later over here (obviously).  I realize one
answer can be the Native Americans who traded shells.  This happened in my
area (the deserts of New Mexico) at least 1,500 years ago as there are many
examples of west coast Spondylus found in Anasazi ruins.  Given that, we are
talking about someone who sold specimen seashells. Any candidates?
Remember, we are not talking about collectors or scientists, but rather
someone (who may have been a collector or a scientist) who offered shells
for sale.

Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA

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