Some COA History...the word "Bourse" (pron.: boar-z) as it refers to
COA (aka, "Shell Bourse") was coined by the late Ruth Greenberg,
proprietor of Tidepool Gallery in California.  Bourse is a French
word often translated to mean "organized market" among other
variations on a theme.  The key word is "organized".  The creation of
the Shell Bourse was in response to indiscriminate shell selling
throughout the convention hotel that was disrupting the COA meeting
proceedings at the previous conventions.  The first organized COA
shell market, or "COA Shell Bourse" took place at the 8th Annual COA
convention in Santa Monica, California then hosted by Ruth and her
sister Jan.  Ten dealers participated.  The rest, "as they say", is
[COA] history...which you can read more about in the official
unabridged COA publication "A Twenty Year History of the
Conchologists of America, 1972 - 1991" written by Lucy
Clampitt.  Knowing your roots often leads to a better understanding
of why we exist as an organization.  As Sue stated so eloquently, the
COA Bourse has become an international assemblage of shell
dealers.  This event now represents the pinnacle of "shell bourses"
in the U.S. if not the world.  Would you dare to miss it?!  Don't
answer that, but hope to see you at the convention and Bourse.

Rich
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www.worldwideconchology.com
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