Claudette, Some info to help: The display cases and fixtures may be worth more than the shells. Most collectors will want to buy specific families only; not the whole lot. Shipping out of the area (by any manner) is expensive. Dealers will offer you 50% or less of retail (they have to make a profit on resale). Museums might accept the collection, but some require you to establish an endowment to maintain them or even enter them into their systems. Having said all that - let me know when you establish the price/value that will satisfy you. I have a personal interest; I am planning a shell museum for kids at my place in Middletown, DE. If the price is right - I'll make room. Sam Tuttle www.streetsmartbooks.com Home of SMALL BUSINESS PRIMER: How to Buy, Sell & Evaluate a Business [log in to unmask] >From: Claudette Beaudoin <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Request for knowledge >Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 08:31:42 -0500 > >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 > _________________________________________________________________ Wonder if the latest virus has gotten to your computer? Find out. Run the FREE McAfee online computer scan! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963