STIZ12 wrote:
>
> I have been left an old thirty=something shell collection by a conchologist
> from sanibel island. The collection is quite extensive in my opinion because
> the shells come from all over the world and there are so many of them. They
> were left to me by her daughter who recently passed away. She was ill and
> didn't want to do any-thing with them and because I had her son in my third
> grade class and I did a unit on the ocean she decided to leave the shell
> collection to me figuring I'd do something special with for the school. As I
> unwrapped some of the shells I found each one had scientifid names and some
> common names and the locations of the shells. There were also some fish
> specimens and a 40 million year old fossil of a brachiopod(sp?) . I had this
> researched by a local marine biologist at URI - School of Marine Biology. Some
> of these shells I am donating to the shcool where I teach where a committee
> and myself have raised funds  to have a special plexiglass display built into
> our library for all the students to enjoy. However, I still have jars and jars
> left of many different kinds of shells from all over the world. I have no idea
> of the value or the desirability of these shells. I was hoping someone could
> help me  out by  steering me in the  right direction. Are there any
> conchologists in New England who I might be able to get in contact with. Do I
> have shells that may be extinct or illegal because of their age? Most of these
> shells are to me in excellent condition. They have been stored in mayonnaise
> jars wrapped in tissue paper for many years. What can I do or who can I
> contact to get more information on this shell collection that I've acquired?
> Thanks for any help you may give me. Please e-mail.
 
Contact the Sanibel Shell Museum and they should be able to steer yoou
in the right direction.  Leave a message for them and they will respond
on Conch-L. Good Luck  M&M HUGGINS