To Tom and Dan,
 
At the moment I am still working on the shell collection of the
museum in Innsbruck and for the auction of the Miami Shell Club
in october. But later I can send you some European inland-shells
to you both for some trading. I would be very pleased to have
some Californian shells, as well as land- or marine-shells and
from other zones.
For Tom I can send two other representatives of Family Cylichnidae
or Scaphandridae from the Mediterranean. They are not very good,
but interesting to have.
 
with best shelling greetings to you both, also by my mother
 
yours Helmut
 
----------
> Dan,
>
> I would love to have a specimen of Monodenia fidelis!  I too am somewhat
> limited in trading as most of my stuff is not self collected but
> purchased from dealers.   When I have duplicates for trade it usually
> means I bought a synonym of a species I owned (I've done it twice for
> Conus sowerbyi/praecellens - would you like one?) or I just goofed and
> ordered the same shell twice, or I may have found a deal on a bunch form
> the Philippines or India (Oliva minicea, Cypraea caputserpentis, Planaxis
> sulcatus, Nassarius stolatus, Nassarius globosus - all available).  I am
> afraid I cannot offer much in the way of California shells for your wife
> - but I do have a few.  By the way, what is S. californa?  Couldn't find
> one in any of my books.
>
> Donax punclatostriatus          22mm    F       Baja
> Oliva incrassata                53mm    F       Baja
> Olivella biplicata              15mm    F-/F    Baja
> Terebra armillata                8mm    F       Baja
> Thais biserialis                22mm    F-      Baja
> Pitar lupanaria                 15mm    F       Baja (?)
> Megathura crenulata             70mm    F-      Cal
> Mitra idae                      35mm+   F       Cal
> Murex festiva                   32mm    F       Cal
> Crassostrea gigas               82mm    F-      Cal
> Acanthina paucilirata           14mm            Cal
> Caliostoma ligatum              17mm    F-      Cal
>
> And of course we have the local Helix aspersa, introduced to New Mexico
> in the early 1950s in shipments of roses from California where it paused
> on its way from Europe.  There is another one I've heard of which has
> established itself in the downtown area but I haven't seen it and do not
> know what it is YET.
>
> I am not certain of the data or condition of the shells above as this was
> just a quick grab from my database and I haven't looked at the shells.  I
> just noticed the Crassostrea gigas and if I'm not mistaken, I bought
> those at a fish market in Seattle (almost California!!).  Anyway, if you
> would like any of them, please let me know.  No need to worry about a
> trade as I'm already in debt for the Otala lactea you sent a while back.
>  If, as I suspect you already have better specimens than the ones I can
> offer, let me know if you are interested in a particular family that is
> not a California species and I'll see what I have.
>
> I am now the proud owner of a Cryptochiton stelleri from your area I just
> bought on the Raine's auction.  I also got some pictures of the living
> animal from the internet and I must say it is a bit ugly - but it sure is
> big!
>
> BREAK----BREAK----BREAK----BREAK
>
> I just re-read your letter and realized you were trading California
> shells, not wanting them (which makes all kinds of sense).  Well, my
> excuse is I've been laying patio blocks in the back yard all day and I'm
> a bit light-headed (more than usual).  I'm going to leave it as is.  Let
> me know if you want any of these and I will get the list I sent to Carlos
> in Italy and forward it to you.  You might find something you like on it.
>
> Sorry about the rambling, no more blocks today,
>
> Tom Eichhorst
> 4528 Quartz Dr. N.E.
> Rio Rancho, NM 87124-4908
>
> P.S.  I still owe you some New Mexican endemics if, no when, I find them.
>