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Mon, 8 Feb 1999 11:04:59 -0700 |
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Good food for thought , thanks! I won't throw them out - after all they don't
exactly hog space in my tiny collection. Also, what do you mean by "dressed up
lip"? I am guessing that you mean filing rough shell edges smooth to remove
small chips. Is this a common thing to do with shells? Or is this something
most collectors cringe at? While we are at it, this would be a time to ask all
you experienced collectors - How far should one go in cleaning up specimens in
general? I have heard about using a mineral oil on shells. Can this be used on
all shells, and what type of oil should I get? All my shells are stored in a
cool dark,very dry place.
Thomas E. Eichhorst wrote:
> Nora,
>
> You are correct, both shells have been polished. Many cowries will show a
> purple dorsum when the outer layer is polished away. The most commonly seen
> are purple Cypraea caputserpentis and C. moneta -- I know them well as I
> have examples of both that I purchased back in my younger days. But as for
> throwing them out, that is not really necessary as they can make an
> interesting display next to a shell in the original condition. I have the
> African turban (Turbo sarmaticus), button top (Tectus niloticus), and west
> Indian top (Cittarium pica) all with both polished and unpolished specimens.
> It makes an interesting display. People who know little about shells like
> the polished specimens, of course.
>
> But it is in fact all a matter of degree. This last year I saw specimens of
> Conus striatus that had been polished for sale at a store in California. I
> had never seen a polished cone and at the time could only think about what a
> waste as some looked like pretty nice shells. Now I kind of wished I had
> picked one up as another example of a polished shell. An interesting
> display could start with a C. striatus with the periostracum, then one after
> cleaning in bleach, then one with a "dressed up" lip, then a polished
> specimen; from scientific specimen to collector specimen to square filler
> specimen to tourist specimen. Just a thought.
>
> Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA
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