posted on January 16, 2004 10:14:19 PM new
Hi again. I have a hugh lot of shells, not regular ordinary shells you find on the beach, but from an estate of a woman who had started collecting them.
Anybody know anything about these things?
Interested in buying the lot or doing trader assistance with me on them? Please let me know. Thanks.
posted on January 16, 2004 10:26:59 PM new
Neroter...I know absolutely nothing about shells because my interest is strictly culinary for the contents. However a few years back we had a poster on this board that dealt exclusively in shells. The one thing I gathered is that if you sell internationally, you had better know exactly what you have. There are some big dollar fines (and possible prison sentences) for shipping certain shells between certain countries. If you are not an expert on the Endangered Species Act, limit those sales to the U.S.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on January 16, 2004 11:29:25 PM new
Wow! Thanks sparks, for telling me that.
I dont plan on doing international sales with them. I have enough problems as it is with them, mainly I dont what they are...lol.
I did correspond with one seller in that category a while back, but HUBBY :;eyeroll sigh:: thought I should sell them on my own, and me make the profits. This person wanted me to send them the shells, they list, and then we split the profits. I wasnt real comfortable with those arrangements, so for then, especially since a website was mentioned and then not mentioned -- I just left it at that. But tonight I am looking around thinking, I really gotta get rid of some of this stuff. Its not doing me any good sitting here. Just dont see me accurately describing "figulinus ceylon " (one of the few that is marked), etc. and consequently probably cant sell them for whats they're worth.
So I thought I'd give over here a shot, since feel somewhat familiar with posters and confident in those sellers Vendio attracts.
I'm pretty sure some of them are valuable to collectors. I think they are from the 70ties and I think this lady bought them from a distributor that imported from Africa or something, because I saw some notes she wrote in a book I also got along with the shells.
Anyway, thanks sparks. Maybe someone is still around on these boards knows about these things and might be interested in a joint venture. Here is pics in case anyone wants to see.
[ edited by neroter12 on Jan 16, 2004 11:31 PM ]
[ edited by neroter12 on Jan 17, 2004 06:45 AM ]
posted on January 16, 2004 11:48:54 PM new
I also remember the poster that used to sell shells, sparkz. I even remember his ID here and AW was pretty rough back then!
The shells look like fun, Nero. There must be someone out there that would like them for a collection. Did you look on ebay to see if there were any being sold as a lot?
posted on January 17, 2004 02:18:36 AM new
I don't know much about shells, but they are beautiful and amazing creations, huh? I do know that certain shells are rare and the value is high. Are all of them named? That would help in researching the value. Perhaps the person who wanted to list them on eBay for you knew that. Good luck!
posted on January 17, 2004 06:45:08 AM new
Kiara, I did look around on ebay under the catagory but didnt see much lots except the beach type-like shells. The few I did see with the latin names must be rare because they have bids of upwards of $80.00 on them.
These came in the little lab specimen boxes they are in, so I dont if that makes a difference. It was somebody's collection. (It was to cute to read how she was writing the names and circling things in her notes in her book.)
Eathmum, some are marked with the scientific name, but most are not. I started breaking them down into lots of cones, etc. what I can quickly describe about them, but if any are rare or valuble -- its beyond me! I figure I will let the collectors decide. Its time for me to let this stuff go and get rid of it all. I hope I make some moeny, but if not, at least its outta here and with somebody who wants it.
Classic: lol, (sometimes I feel like a friggn old fossil myself!) Was thinking yesterday, when the 1st few nintendo games came out Mario Bros, etc., I knew how to manuveur and play them. Now? I dont know any of that sh** with all the new technology.
posted on January 17, 2004 08:03:47 AM new
classicrock you beat me to it. I am also a fossil and I won't fetch much. Hubby would think the 99 cent auction would do it with free shipping.
posted on January 17, 2004 08:03:47 AM new
Well as long as this was a double post I will use it.
I know you can't sell coral. There must be a website somewhere that will tell you what you can and can't sell. Those are beautiful and I am sure there are buyers out their that collect them.
[ edited by Libra63 on Jan 17, 2004 08:06 AM ]
posted on January 17, 2004 08:30:48 AM new
Coral is actually considered endangered. But, I believe it depends upon where it came from. Hawaii has strict rules about it. Coral is a living thing. Here's a link where you might get more information. You might try to email them and ask them about old coral.
And, no, I'm not one of those fanatic environmentalists. However, there is a chance that within our lifetimes that some species of coral may become extinct.
Many countries in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia prohibit the collection, sale, and export of corals. International trade is regulated under CITES , and corals entering the United States must typically be accompanied by a CITES export permit issued by the country of origin. Use of illegally obtained corals and the sale of craft items made from corals protected by other countries would be illegal in the United States under the Lacey and Endangered Species Acts. The legality of coral items thus depends on laws in the country of origin and any trade restrictions and import/export permit requirements that exist. Guidance on corals is available from Service law enforcement offices.
Shells
No Federal prohibitions exist concerning the use of such common shell sources as oyster, barnacle, and abalone. A variety of mollusks, including a number of U. S. clam, mussel, and snail species, are, however, protected under the Endangered Species Act. Some states may also have rules governing the use of shells from different animals. Checking the status of the particular species involved with Federal and state authorities is recommended before using shells in craft items. Trade in many foreign shelled species is controlled under CITES ; purchasers of imported shells are responsible for obtaining the necessary permits required under the treaty.
"This guide provides an introduction to the main groups of corals with hard skeletons that are common in trade, and assists in the identification of live specimens and cleaned skeletons to genus level. Nearly 3000 coral species are listed in the Convention on Trade in Endangered (CITES), most of which belong to the Order Scleractinia (stony corals). This guide covers the most commonly traded stony corals, as well as fire corals, lace corals, organ-pipe coral, blue coral, black corals and red corals. The further information section lists other more detailed identification guides, which provide information on genera not covered by this guide and aid identification to species level."
I don't have time to find the CITES site--have to get to work, but it will go into more detail about shells & coral. I do know personally though thatconch shells (you have onepictures) are big no-nos--learned that while on diving trips to Fiji. Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on January 17, 2004 10:40:16 AM new
If she puts these shells on who regulates them. I doubt if eBay would care. Do you think there is an organization that would stop the sale of these?
Here is an idea for your shells. Give them to a museum and let them give you a tax exemtion for them as I would hate to see you get in trouble with these.
posted on January 17, 2004 12:22:41 PM new
I could be way off base here ....
but these look like the shells you can buy
at Hobby Lobby for $12.95 a basket. They
also sell some in little plastic cases similiar to the ones shown.
Those sell for $1- $5 depending on the shell
(or starfish or seahorse).
You might want to check out a local craft store, and see if they look like these.
I don't know anything about shells, but they
have that same general look as those at HL.
I hope I'm wrong.
******
"The hours are good. Though most of the actual minutes are lousy.
But some of the shouting I quite like." --Vogon Guard - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
posted on January 17, 2004 07:58:50 PM new
Hi Nero,
I am by no means a shell pro. I recognize many of what you have and they are common even here on the North Florida Gulf Coast. A few of them, (like the white spotted ones) may be rare. Shells are like coins. There are so many different types, it takes a true collector to know the valuable from the common.
I do know that here in Florida I have seen some shells go for crazy amounts. And don't let the size fool you. One of the most expensive shells I have ever seen was less than an inch long.
Have you checked your local library for a good book on shells? I have a feeling some of your shells come from the southern hemisphere which makes them precious to US collectors.
Good Luck in your search...
posted on January 17, 2004 08:07:57 PM new
I suggest just putting them up on ebay as a lot and let the marketplace determine the true value of the items. Be sure to describe the heck out of them and include lots of photos.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on January 17, 2004 09:41:47 PM new
Hi.
Bunicula, thank you for posting all that information. Its funny what you said about the conch shells, as they seem some of the best sellers in that category on ebay.
Itray, yes, thanks. The shell collectors are like coin collectors. I do see some of the fan type shells and it looks like she started a jewelery project with them. The lot did come with a Sea Shell book published 1971. Some she had circled, like either she wanted to buy them or bought them -- I did spend some time with it when I first got them and think I identified one or two. In that book they were listed back then at 5.00 - 25.00 each. Maybe they've since become common? I dont know. But the bulk of them do not look or feel like craft type shells.
I've just got SO much stuff to sell!! I am in the mood to get it all out of here lately. I didnt pay alot for the lot, so anything made from them will pretty much be profit. Less listing and my time.
Ace, yeah, I think the collectors will know and (tell)lol, if they're worthwhile or worthless. My tendency is to think if you do collect shells at least this is a nice variety to look at and admire. Am very tempted to putting the whole lot up and saying, here take your chances maybe gold in them thare hills!!
posted on January 18, 2004 12:37:55 AM new
Sometimes the idea is to move the stuff as fast as possible and not spend countless hours researching it only to possibly find it was worth $8. The more description and photos the better but that would be the extent of the time I'd personally invest in this particular gamble.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on January 18, 2004 06:07:44 AM new
I'm sure there are some collectors sites where you can start identifying differnt types without spending hours each on them. I would at least take the time to reasearch 10 or 12 of them and find out if there is a range of value that would imply that they should be listed seperately or if everything averages out about the same.
This might be a good place to start for links - lots of info but not a lot of photos.
http://www.conchology.be/
This site is in spanish but has a nice gallery with good photos and all the names - seems to also have some region of origin info as well.
http://www.geocities.com/malacologia/
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by Fenix03 on Jan 18, 2004 06:16 AM ]
posted on January 18, 2004 07:00:43 AM new
I would tend to agree with Ace..unless you want to specialize in shells I would try to put them up with lots of pics and as much information as you have available for a price you would be HAPPY with..and see what happens. I liken collectible selling to a food chain..and unless you are an expert, you take your place at the bottom of the heap..but as long as you turn a nice profit WHY NOT??? You could spend a lot of time researching when you could be listing other things you know more about..just my opinion anyway. Of course there's the issue of selling prohibited items..can't address that.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to test the waters with a small lot to start with and see how they go..
[ edited by neglus on Jan 18, 2004 07:01 AM ]
posted on January 18, 2004 07:32:25 AM new
Fenix, thanks much for the links. I will check them out.
Neglus and Ace, thats was what I thought. I *know* I dont have any knowledge of these shells to really 'sell them right' and I do have other things to put my time into, so... thats why thought maybe somebody who lurks here would have a say on it if they were into such things.
But I got alot of good opinions and I appreciate them all. Just want to move stuff outta here now, ya know? (God, looken around my ebay room I really went on some shopping benders,....all I can think is "WHO did this??? lol)
