Maybe what "Mr.. Paul" didn't realize is how loyal shell collectors are and
how we won't let "Len's" memories be squander and tossed to the highest
bidder. Len Hill was to me a perfect dealer , "who you were" didn't matter
as much as your genuine interest in collecting.  Len also was the first
dealer to introduce himself at the very first shell show my wife and I
attended , maybe this is way I have never heard a bad word spoken about him
. I'm sure he is walking the beach of a million specimens now and if he's
listening I just want to say "THANK YOU"
 
Mark James Bethke
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin E. Tremor, Jr. <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, June 12, 1998 6:59 PM
Subject: Auction-Len Hill Shells
 
 
>   I am shocked that a Mr. Ed Paul would hold an auction of our dear friend
>Len Hill's private collection at a time and place in direct competition
with
>the COA Convention.
>   Len was a professional dealer of the highest integrity...and, I might
add,
>a strong supporter of the COA. I find it a disgrace to use Len's name and
his
>fine collection  to attract buyers away from the annual COA Convention's
>auction and dealers bource. Lets face it...there is only so much money to
be
>spent. If  Mr. Paul gets the first slice, so to speak, there is very
logically
>going to be less money to be spent at the COA auction, our organizations
main
>fund raiser, or at the dealers bource which will affect our loyal, and I
might
>add, paying dealers.
>   Mr. Paul has made the mistake of taking the opportunistic approach to
cash
>in on this convention for personal gain. Len Hill would never have
approved.
>   I am sure there will be some shells at that auction that I would love
the
>opportunity to bid on. HOWEVER, in the light of Mr. Paul's most
inapropriate
>selection of time and place, you can rest assured that I will not be
anywhere
>near that auction. I strongly urge all other collectors attending the COA
>Convention to by-pass it as well.
>   It is my sincere hope that Mr. Paul will realize the poor judgement that
>was shown here and will change his auction to another time. I would
certainly
>support his auction and would indeed welcome the opportunity to to bid on
>shells from Len's collection at another time and/or place.
>
>Martin Tremor
>