Ross,
My husband, Glen, is busy composing his newsletter for the North Alabama Shell Club so I will try to give you some
information. He has been collecting worldwide shells for over 40 years. We have seen many changes such as the price
of shells. About 15 years ago he bought a large Australian Horse conch on the coast of Alabama for $40, today you
cannot get one less than $200-$250. At that time we thought that was a lot to spend on a shell. He has a collection
of large shells that were obtained years ago which would be hard to get now. Also one noticeable change is that the
number of shells have diminished on the beaches of Alabama and Florida and now there are limits imposed on
collecting..His shell collection was obtained by buying, self collecting, gifts, scuba diving, etc. Tho he has
given up scuba diving now. In his collection is a large assortment of microscopic shells on slides, fossils,
freshwater, land and marine shells. He collects for enjoyment. Also has a large number of shell books that he
studies and reads.We have been members of COA since 1983 and have seen it grow in membership and aims to further
the study of Conchology.
Marion Deuel
 
ross mayhew wrote:
 
> My turn to be grumpy.  I'd rather be flamed than completely ignored!!
> Doesn't ANYONE have some observations they would like to share about the
> changes they have witnessed in our corner of the Ntural History world
> (ie, conchology!) during  the past several deacades??  I'm NOT asking
> just to stimulate discussion of something other than process and pigs,
> but because i (and i expect a good few others as well) am quite curious
> to learn a few things about the history of conchology in this century (
> and i meant no offence by the term "ancient ones"- none of us are
> getting  any younger!).
>                                                                                         yours for the duration,
>                                                                                         Ross M.