Dear Carol:
I have seen a rice paste wentletrap, complete with its certificate of
authenticity, in a private collection.  Yes, it is an authentic fake.  I
have a photograph of it next to a real  Epitonium scalare.
Alice Monroe
 
>Dear Carol;-
>    Since no one has jumped forward claiming to have a rice paste
>wentletrap or any other shells made of that ingredient, you may be
>right asserting that they did not exist. We'll use this venue to ask
>the question of the week: Has anyone out there ever seen the
>legendary rice-paste shells?
>      Question Man
>ps: THE Book: It is in the hands of the publisher, Maria Angioy of La
>Conchiglia. When she tells me----I'll tell everyone.