Byne's Disease is not the result of direct contact between your shells
and wood or paper.  It results from acid vapors which are slowly
released into the air from certain kinds of wood (especially oak) and
paper, when the air is sufficiently humid.  As such, it is not really a
"disease" in the usual sense, but a chemical reaction between acid
vapors and the calcium salts which make up your shells.  Controlling
humidity is the best way to prevent it from happening, plus of course
avoiding potential sources of acid vapors.

Oil is often used on shells to enhance color and to mask minor flaws.
It is not usually used as a barrier to Bynes's disease.  It probably
would do so if you left a substantial coating of oil on the shell.  But
that is messy, and not how oil is normally applied to shells.  You apply
the oil, give it a little time to soak in (the shell is somewhat
porous), and then wipe off all excess oil from the surface of the shell,
so it doesn't feel oily or leave stains in your cabinet drawers..

The Conch-L Archives are very easy to search, using the new search
engine.  Just go here:

http://www.listserv.uga.edu/archives/conch-l.html

Then click on "search archives", and you are on your way.  It's simple,
and fun.

Paul M.