Tag: Shells Florida

SHELL OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2018

Cypraeaovula capensis capensis (Grey1828)
SCUBA at 10-12M on rock wall
Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet the icy Antarctic waters below the coast of South Africa. In the sheltered bays a rich unique marine fauna has developed with an array of indigenous cyrpraea including a couple of oddballs that make shell collecting such a fascinating hobby.

Cypraea capensis is one such shell. It’s like no other. From a distance it looks likes a typical cowry, but on closer inspection one sees fins that originate in the aperture and completely cross over the base and dorsum encircling the shell and meeting the teeth on the opposite end. The shell is a pale uniform mushroom color with an irregular brown blotch and has a discernible mantle line. The dorsum is glossy. There is little variation in color and pattern from shell to shell. Even the blotch is fairly consistent.

Capsnsis lives on rocks in both moderate and deep water with deep water specimens bringing vastly higher prices. There are a few named varieties.

Before the popularity of SCUBA, virtually all specimens were dead collected on the beach. As the diving season is rather short, few capensis come to the market each year, making it a difficult shell to obtain.

Our specimen is of good size, 30mm and should be considered gem. Similar shells bring about $40 on the market. It was originally purchased in a small dealer’s lot from a South African diver/collector and is from the collection of Richard Kent. This is an intriguing shell to look at; one can spend much time studying its appearance.

SHELL OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER 2017

Harpa harpa (Linnaeus, 1758) in sand at 10m by local fishermen, Pag Asa Island, Palawan, Philippines (left) inside reef at 10-15m by local divers, Bohol, Philippines (right)

Many collectors consider the harps to be the most beautiful of all shells. With their stately shape, complex sculpturing, intricate patters, coordinated color scheme and mid size, they live up to the claim.
The Harps are a small family that inhabit tropical waters, with the majority found in Philippine and Pacific waters. Harpa harpa, Linnaeus 1758, commonly called the Noble Harp is the namesake species and our shell of the month. We have two specimens, similar in size and although at first glance they appear nearly identical a close inspection will reveal many differences. Harpa harpa has about a dozen ribs with spines on the posterior end. Between the spines are fine groves with rows of chevron patterns. Distinguishing marks from the other harps are the groups of 2 or 3 fine black lines hat cross the ribs and the three brown blotches on the base.
Harps are carniverous and feed on small crabs and shrimp. They burrow in the sand and live in moderate depths.
These specimens, are both in gem condition with mature lips. They are from the collection of Richard Kent.

2014 SHELL SHOW RULES AND ENTRY FORMS

Greetings!  The Broward Shell Club cordially invites you to attend the 49th Annual Broward Shell Show on January 18-19, 2014 at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6th Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33061, USA.  The 2014 Show is open to the Public and admission is FREE! Exhibitors may download the entry form and show rules, attached to the email, on our Facebook page,https://www.facebook.com/groups/BrowardShellClub, or on our website, http://browardshellclub.org.

Broward Shell Show Invitation, Rules and Show Information: Click on link to read:   2014 BSS RulesFINAL

Entry Forms: Scientific entry2014    Artistic entry2014    Best of the Best entry 2014

Entry forms must be received no later than Friday, January 3rd, 2014.

Each exhibitor shall submit an entry application to:

Alice Pace, 7405 SW 128 Court, Miami, FL 33183

Or Email your application attachment to: alicepace90@att.net

Major scientific awards presented include the Conchologists of America (COA), Dupont, American Museum of Natural History and Best of the Best. Special club trophies include Len Hill Memorial for Most Beautiful Exhibit, Jim VunKannon Memorial Florida/Caribbean, the Gerrit DeGraaff representing a large and exceptional specimen of a chosen species, Betty Hamann Memorial Fossil Trophy, Neil Hepler Memorial for Education Excellence, Shell of the Show (self-collected and any manner) plus Best Student and Best Beginner trophies, as well.

Club artistic awards include Best in Show trophies for Hobbyist, Professional and Sailor’s Valentine, the Fay Mucha Memorial for Best Collectibles, Best Table Top, and Best in Wall Hung Shell Craft. Also, Best Student and Best Beginning trophies.

Included with the rules is a great hotel package available for those who are visiting from out of town.  Also, included is the form to be complete if you would like to attend our Judge’s Dinner on the evening of Friday, January 17, 2014.  We hope you’ll join our friendly, fun-loving club for our exciting shell show weekend.  We’ll have a great time!!!

If you have any questions, please email Alice Pace at alicepace90@att.net or call 305-301-1296.

Very best regards,
Alice Pace
2014 Chairperson Broward Shell Show

2013 SHELL SHOW INFORMATION

48th Annual BROWARD SHELL SHOW

January 19-20, 2013

Dr. Harry Lee and Valentino Leidi BSS 2010Hosted by the nonprofit Broward Shell Club, the Broward Shell Show offers an opportunity for shell-loving enthusiasts to enjoy an exciting weekend immersed in the wonderful world of shells.

 

Sonny:ClamThousands of beautiful and unusual shells from around the world will be on display and for sale. Weekend Attractions include: Competitive displays by dozens of collectors; Shell Artists showcasing their designs; International Shell Market featuring shells, shell craft, jewelry and educational shell books; a Shell ID Station where beginners or advanced shell collectors can bring their seashells for identification; Raffle items including a spectacular Sailor’s Valentine made by Brandy Llewelyn valued at $2,700, and Door Prizes.

This year, the Shell Show will add an exciting new feature. Five interesting, educational programs will be presented during the shell show. There will be a program on seashells and one program on shell craft each day. Additionally, for those of you who like to purchase on-line, there will be a program on buying shells on Ebay. Please visit our Facebook page  for additional information regarding the guest speakers,

Saturday, January 19:

12 pm – Shell Show Judge Dr. Harry Lee – Audubon’s Shells

2pm – Club member Tom Ball – Buying Shells on Ebay

4pm – Shell Show Judge Emily Savage – Basics of Arranging (Shell Craft)

Sunday, January 20:

12pm – Dr. Richard Kirk – Searching Around the World for the Most Beautiful Scallop

2pm – Jae Kellogg – The Art of Flower Making in Shell Craft

Take your picture with Sonny Ogden’s “Killer Clam”. We invite you to attend the 2013 South Florida shelling event of the year!

January 19-20, 2013

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St, Pompano Beach, 33060. Hours: Saturday, 1/19/13 10am – 6pm, Sunday, 1/20/13 10am – 4pm Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call 305-467-4412 or write: nancygaldo@gmail.com

www.browardshellclub.org, www.facebook.com/groups/BrowardShellClub/

Best Sailor's ValentineScientific Shell Show Judge – Dr. Richard Kirk

Richard Y. Kirk graduated with a Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania and worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs until his retirement in 2007.

He has been active in both the Conchologists of America (COA) and the Academy of Natural Sciences / Philadelphia Shell Club, founding the annual Philadelphia Shell Show in 1983, as past club president, auctioneer, scientific judge and co-chairing the National COA Convention in Philadelphia.

Richard was named “Fellow” at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, 2011 and is currently co-authoring a new encyclopedia of shells with Dr. Gary Rosenberg, Paul Callomon and Sue Hobbs.

Richard tells his rather humorous story. “When I was 4 years old, I did something “good” and mom decided to reward me, so she took me to the basement and brought out a round red can with an Indian on it (baking soda?), opened it and it was full of beautiful shells, she said from India, she allowed me to pick just one as my reward. It took me about an hour to choose on shell, and that night I went downstairs and took the whole can!  With shells it was love at first sight!  I still have that first shell, it was a busycon contrarium and those shells in the can as it turned out were not from India but from Florida.  I have been collecting ever since, and now have a massive worldwide marine collection that will some day go to the Academy of Natural Sciences, because it includes many species that the Academy does not yet have.  My shells are being photographed for the new encyclopedia of shells.”

Scientific Shell Show Judge – Dr. Harry Lee

Harry G. Lee was born and raised in Short Hills New Jersey, where he began the pursuit of conchology at age six. Settling in Jacksonville FL in 1974, he practiced Internal medicine until his retirement in 2006.

Harry received his education at Williams College (biology honors) and medical training at Cornell University, Emory University, the National Institutes of Health, and the University of California San Francisco. He is the author of Marine Shells of Northeast Florida (2009) and over a dozen scientific papers and serves as a Field Associate of the Florida Museum of Natural History and Vice President of The Conchologists of America. He is a Trustee of the Museum of Science and History (Jacksonville) and previously served in that capacity for the Paleontological Research Institution (Cornell University) and the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (Sanibel, FL). In addition, Harry is on the Editorial Board of The Nautilus and American Conchologist.

Harry maintains a general collection of shells but is particularly interested in American mollusks (land, freshwater, and marine) and the micromollusks of the western Atlantic. He has written over 100 popular articles related to malacology and shell collecting and judged about 65 shell shows.

Artistic Shell Show Judge – Sandy Moran

The very first Sailor’s Valentine Sandy Moran viewed changed her life and her interest grew as she learned more about the history of these objects that spoke so elegantly of a lonely sailor’s love. A person with a fine eye for artistic quality, and a love for all things connected with the sea, Sandy was inspired to realize her own vision of a unique Sailor’s Valentine. Her valentines include patterns and flowers of various unusual seashells. Many of the shells were discovered in old shell collections.

Having reached pre-eminence in her field, Sandy Moran has earned numerous first-place awards, beginning in the early nineties. Additionally, she was a featured artist on a PBS fundraiser show, featured in Martha Stewart magazine, Coastal Living magazine, La Vie Claire Magazine, Yankee Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, as well as in various Florida publications and national television.  Additionally, Sandy is Artistic Chairperson of the famed Sanibel Shell Show and a trustee of the Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. Her work is displayed in galleries on Cape Cod, Nantucket and in Sanibel.

Artistic Shell Show Judge – Emily Savage

Emily Savage was born in Perth Amboy, N.J. and moved to Miami, Florida with her familyin 1944. She met her husband Herbert Savage in 1949 and they were married in Miami onOctober 21st, 1950. They have three children, Charlene Butler, Sharon Stewart and HerbertSavage, Jr. and six grandchildren.

Emily was active in PTA Organizations during the years her children were in school, becoming a Life Member. She was also active in the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs and served as the State Junior Director of Florida from 1962-64 when Florida was the Outstanding State in the Nation.  In 1963, she was chosen to represent Florida in the Mrs. America pageant.

She moved to Marco Island in 1978 with her family where her love of shells and her interest in them grew.  She joined the Marco Island Shell Club where she met several club members who were her mentors. She served as President and is an Honorary Member of the club.

She has won numerous ribbons in various Florida Shell Shows over the years, was awarded the Peggy Bennett Memorial Award for the Best Commercial Artistic Creation, and she has received the Best Commercial Artistic Creation Award three times at the Marco Island Shell Show.

Emily opened her shell shop, Shells by Emily, in 1985 and has been in the same location for the past 28 years. They carry a large inventory of local and imported shells, creating most of the items they sell using a various assortment of shapes and sizes of shells, providing a wide variety of shell creations including wedding favors, cake tops, bride bouquets, corsages, lamps, mirrors, containers, picture frames, and other specialty arrangements for any occasion. The friendships, camaraderie and creativity are the highlights of her day.

PETUCH & SARGENT PUBLISH “RARE AND UNUSUAL SHELLS OF SOUTH FLORIDA”

Just released, hot off the press. You can purchase your copy of this beautiful book with full page color photograps direct from the publishers, Conch Republic Books. The price for Individual books is 39.95 plus postage about $2.85 each and Florida sales tax from your county. You can email dsargent10@comcast.net or phone to order 352-516-7821. My copy has been ordered and will review in the near future.