Helmut Nisters wrote, "after having counted my totallity of specimens (about 2300 species in 160 000 specimens) and after having revised the database of our private shell collection (European inland-shells and Mediterranea seashells) I've sold my collection todays for about $ 10 000.--. What do you think about this. As I am working for the museum in Innsbruck again, I'll stay further on conch-l to have contact with you all and will do further tradings, where it is possible to do. with best regards. More later Helmut from Innsbruck Helmut "Helix" Nisters" I'd say that Helmut has solved the conflict between curating a public collection while building up a private collection in a novel way. Helmut, do you plan to continue collecting on a private basis, or will you now devote all your conchological energies to the Museum? Andrew K. Rindsberg Geological Survey of Alabama