Hello, My name is Vivian Kooken and I have just read through my first batch of e-mails from the Conch-L listserv. I can see already I will be learning a lot! I have a B.S. degree in Biology and currently work for a nonprofit watershed organization. I recently (within the past year) inherited a seashell (and fossil, mineral, and meteorite) collection that was the passion of my great-grandfather. He lived from 1858-1934. From what I understand, he both purchased specimens and traveled to collect them. At some point, he constructed a special building on his property to house his collection. Later, that building was broken into and the collection was vandalized. An elderly man at that point, he was unable to fully reorganize the collection. The cabinet it was originally in is gone, but most of the shells are still in their drawers. After his death, the collection was housed drawers stacked one on another. My uncle, who housed the collection for many years, has passed the collection on to me. My first task, I believe, is to get another cabinet for the shells--this leads me to my first couple of questions! 1. Do any of you know good sources for cabinetry for shell collections? Are there any materials/constructions I should be wary of? 2. Are there diseases of shells that speed their deterioration? I have noticed some white powder in some of the drawers. If so, what are the remedies?! I am amazed by the meticulous records this man kept. Most shells have a small handwritten label with number, which corresponds to log he kept, all handwritten beautifully. I am sure I will thank him many times over for that! Thank you, in advance, for any information you pass my way on these basic questions. Hopefully, after time and work, I will learn enough to participate in some of the more advanced discussions. Regards, Vivian