Dear Claudette;-
     On the plus side, you live in Annapolis, not far from a great many collectors. Some kind soul will contact you and offer to "see" the collection. Let 'em. As far as "ripped off" is concerned, you should have a copy of RICES PRICES, the conchololical prayer book.
     A dealer may offer from 30 to 50% of those quotes. 20% falls into the "ripped off" catagory. Of course we don't know if your material is just common beach stuff or in what condition. Collecting sometimes seems a lot easier than divesting. Good luck,
     Art>
> From: Claudette Beaudoin <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2003/12/11 Thu AM 08:31:42 EST
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Request for knowledge
>
> Good day everyone,
>
> I have been enjoying the information that has been available through this
> group. Most of it is over my head but it has been enlightening. Here's my
> story:
>
>
>
>      From the time I was 3 years old I remember collecting shells on the
> seashore. Fast forward to 30 years later when I was making jewelry and photo
> cards from shells and came upon an opportunity to purchase a large grouping
> of shells from someone who owned a shell shop in Newport, RI but had failed
> in the business. Now 15 years later I still have many of those shells, many
> cone varieties, most still in the glass cases that were used in the store. I
> have been trying to label them over the years and now that brings me to the
> present. Are there people out there that research and appraise collections?
> If so, how does one go about finding them and how does one go about selling
> a collection without getting ripped off?
>
> Thank you for your time and knowledge.
>
>
>
> You may reply to me personally at [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Claudette Beaudoin
>
> Annapolis, MD
>
>
>

PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is: [log in to unmask] Please update your records!