>I received this today.  Told him of Conch-L and the COA and that I have some large lightning whelks but nothing really big in the other species.   Contact him, anyone, if you like.

> From: "Cramer, John" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2007/01/05 Fri PM 04:23:25 EST
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: FW: Novice trying to find larger whelk shells for a special project.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Seamus Mills [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 1:06 PM
> To: Cramer, John
> Subject: Novice trying to find larger whelk shells for a special
> project.
>
> Hello Mr. Cramer,
>
> My name is Seamus Mills and I am a carver who is researching his family
> history. In the process I have come across many examples of artifacts
> found in the southeastern U.S. that are made from larger, 11"-16"
> Busycon Perversum, Busycon Carica and Lightning Whelk shells. I have
> tried the shell dealers in Florida but they say that anything over 9" is
> now considered a rare find and those shells usually go to collectors
> waiting at the docks of sponge divers.
>
> So, in my normal fashion, I decided to contact someone who has a love
> for the shell who might be able to point me in the right direction. Hope
> you don't mind that your website, The Georgia Shell Club, was the first
> to appear in my search and you are the first I have contacted for help.
>
> Here's a little about what I need to create from the shells. Two main
> artifacts keep appearing in my research; shell cups with engraved
> designs and busycon gorgets, large neck charms, with engraved designs
> from what archeologists call the Southeast Ceremonial Complex (A.D.
> 400-1400). After the larger cities of Cahokia Etowah and Moundville fell
> or collapsed between A.D. 1200-1400 my ancestors migrated through the
> area picking up beliefs and designs on their way to the Chesapeake Bay
> area of Maryland and Virginia.
> Unfortunately, these are both states notorious for their lack of concern
> for native history and proper archeological technique is even today a
> rare find in these states, so very few artifacts make it to where the
> public can see and learn about them. I am trying to reclaim a bit of our
> history that has seemingly been lost by recreating certain artifacts as
> close to the context in which they were originally created that I can.
> This is the only way I know how to do things.
> By making recreations I believe I will obtain a better understanding of
> the past than if I just kept reading about the bits and pieces  I come
> across in archeological studies.
>
> This is why I have contacted your Georgia Shell Club as you are as
> passionate about your shells as I am about my history. If you could
> offer any advice on how to get ahold of a few larger Busycon perversum
> shells I would be greatly indebted to you.
>
> Thank you for your time,
> Seamus Mills
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------