William,
  I have a three-fold principle to building my collection.  Most of my
collection consists of Cenozoic molluscan fossils from the Atlantic
Coastal Plain.  I started collecting all types of fossils but found it
impossible to keep abreast of all the groups: vertebrates, invertebrates,
and plants.  I settled on collecting only fossils from the above location
and time span.  Most of this material is self-collected with some trades
and gifts included.  The first fossil that I ever collected was a fossil
pecten (Chesapecten nefrens from Maryland).  This began my interest in the
Family Pectinidae hence I also collect recent Pectinidae. About half of my
collection is from another collector's material which I purchased; most of
the rest were purchased from dealers.  Again, there are a few gifts in
there.  Lastly, I will acquire almost any other mollusk that comes my way
and that I feel will complement the Carnegie Museum's collection.  At some
point in the future (hopefully the distant future :-) ) my collection will
be donated to The Carnegie thus I am always looking for acquisitions that
will improved the research collection at the Museum.  For example, they
have strong holdings in the freshwater mussels.  When I had the
opportunity to acquire some from Australia I purchased them.  They are of
little interest to me but they will add several species to the Carnegie's
collection that are not currently in their holdings.


Regards,
Charlie
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Charlie Sturm, Jr
Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
                     Carnegie Museum of Natural History
                     Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Assistant Professor - Family Medicine

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