CASSIS SHELL COLLECTION 37 PIECES FOR CONCHOLOGIST

Description

At the very beginning of this Ebay offer please let me explain my awareness of ecological concerns and point out the following information which I kindly ask you to read carefully:
This Ebay offer consists of natural seashells. All shells are identified and listed under their scientific names respectively as below. All these shells are commercial species and collecting them for food and study is legal. All species have been checked for CITES and none of them are actually a protected species. An export certificate for International shipment can be obtained from the fisheries and wildlife department on request. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Dear conchologists: here you see part one of my Cassis collection offered at Ebay as one lot consisting of 37 high quality seashells for study. They are individually classified as below and carefully described and numbered from 1-37. My intention is to present these shells as a group and as you can imagine it took me many years to bring together so many superb pieces of so many different species. I realise that some of you may want to buy individual shells only and I welcome your requests: please write via Ebay message system and on request I will be happy to list the shell you want individually at Ebay for direct purchase. Please do contact me via the official Ebay way for more information and high resolution pictures. Soon I will publish at Ebay part two of my Cassis collection and following that I will produce two groups of Spondylus which were another favourite of my mine. Hope you enjoy the shells and I am looking forward to hearing form you, best wishes from Andreas.
CASSIS SHELL COLLECTION 37 PIECES FOR CONCHOLOGIST
1. Semicassis whitworthi w/o 72.9mm
2. Semicassis whitworthi 72.0mm
3. Semicassis whitworthi 81.3mm
4. Semicassis umbilicata 68.2mm
5. Semicassis bondarevi 56.2mm
6. Semicassis glabrata 63.0mm GEM
7. Semicassis glabrata w/o 53.9mm GEM
8. Galeodea alcocki w/o 92.2mm
9. Cypraecassis testiculus 73.7mm GEM
10. Galeoocorys leucodoma w/o 65.6mm
11. Sconsia lindae 62.4mm
12. Sconsia lindae 57.7mm
13. Sconsia lindae 55.3mm
14. Sconsia lindae 58.6mm
15. Sconsia lindae 57.6mm
16. Phalium fimbria w/o 100.9mm
17. Phalium fimbria w/o 94.7mm
18. Phalium fimbria 86.2mm
19. Galeodea keyteri w/o 78.5mm
20. Galeodea keyteri w/o 78.6mm
21. Galeodea keyteri w/o 76.6mm
22. Galeodea rugosa w/o 99.4mm
23. Oocorys wyvillei 106.6mm
24. Hypocassis fimbriata w/o 94.8mm
25. Hypocassis fimbriata w/o 106.8mm
26. Hypocassis fimbriata w/o 94.5mm
27. Hypocassis fimbriata 100.3mm
28. Cypraecassis tenuis 120mm
29. Cypraecassis tenuis 109.5mm
30. Cypraecassis tenuis 109.1mm
31. Galeodea echinophora w/o 76.9mm
32. Galeodea echinophora w/o 75.3mm
33. Galeodea echinophora w/o 74.2mm
34. Galeodea echinophora w/o 73.8mm
35. Galeodea echinophora ssp. solida w/o 53.0mm
36. Galeodea echinophora ssp. solida w/o 51.5mm
37. Cassis nana w/o 60.2mm
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1. Semicassis whitworthi (Abbott, 1968), off Lancelin, Perth, Western Australia, caught in 1988 at night by Chinese shrimpers in 175m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
This one is important because it is much wider than any other piece I have ever seen. See I on the picture and you will notice the difference to the other two pieces in my collection. Beautiful crisp detail which indicates rare live taken perfection, one of my most interesting specimens and one only of a handful of such shells with original operculum known to exist, and a top grading all natural specimen, too, with choice detail and flawless growth.
2. Semicassis whitworthi (Abbott, 1968), Jurien Bay, Western Australia, in 180m depth, live taken specimen shell.
My last specimen from this lot, live taken  and a top grading all natural specimen too, with crisp detail and flawless growth. Hardly anything else to say.
3. Semicassis whitworthi (Abbott, 1968), off Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia, caught in 1988 in 175m depth, ex coll. Pierson, live taken specimen shell.
My largest specimen, a piece over 80mm is definitely a treasure and if it comes in live taken condition, then it is in fact a piece which only a few connoisseurs can equal in their collections. Beautiful crisp detail which clearly indicates genuine live taken condition and preserved in fantastic natural condition including fresh gloss,  one only of a handful of live taken shells known to exist of such humongous dimensions, and a top grading all natural specimen too, with choice detail and flawless growth.
4. Semicassis umbilicata (Pease, 1860), near Waiamea, Oahu Island, Hawaii, before 1972 in 75m depth, ex coll. Cook, live taken specimen shell.
One of those famous Hawaii endemics which are increasingly rare to obtain in any condition, I think you may find this to be a glorious catch of largest size and inflated body, heavily sculptured and superb condition, with intact apex and extremely heavy and mature lip, superb gloss and large shield. A beautiful specimen seashell of considerable interest and great rarity in this live taken and all natural condition.
5. Semicassis bondarevi (Mühlhäusser & Parth, 1993), SE off Seychelles Islands, in 200m depth, live taken specimen shell.
One of those treasures which hardly need any introduction: either you know the shell and that means you will probably be gaping (sorry) at the screen for some time, or you don't know it all and will pass this offer without giving it a second look... I like to think you being my collector friends do all belong to the first group of connoisseurs. Ultra rare and GEM.
6. Semicassis glabrata (Dunker, 1852), Torau Bay, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Sea, in 33m depth, live taken specimen shell.
A GEM specimen with flawless detail and perfect growth, glooming pale pink color and lovely caramel markings along the shoulder, very shiny and glossy, this piece has a mystic halo and it looks so fresh as if it were taken just a week ago, in my experience only mature pieces keep their beauty once collected, immature pieces seem to fade away in a short time already, and then you need to take care of your treasures and store them away from daylight and under controlled conditions and that means a low humidity atmosphere of course; also important is to have the cabinets and drawers made from material that have no exhausts: wood looks good but if it is oak or plywood then you run the risk of damaging your treasures.
7. Semicassis glabrata (Dunker, 1852), Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, in 12m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell
A very delicate and beautiful shell, absolutely GEM down to the smallest detail, very mature with a yellow flushed lip and flawless body of perfect growth with special all natural gloss and superb pattern. Original operculum on.
8. Galeodea alcocki (Smith, 1906), east off Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andaman Sea, in 200m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
From very deep water comes this large and impressive gastropod which is very shy to appear on the market in any condition, and with all deep water dredging, chances are that most specimen come to surface badly damaged or are delivered second hand by hermit crabs. Mine is an exceptional specimen because it is fully intact, large and with a flaring lip that makes this piece truly outstanding. Rare live taken condition which is reflected in a wonderful silvery shine all over the body and especially in the aperture. with the genuine operculum on, this is a piece suitable for a natural history museum collection.
9. Cypraecassis testiculus (Linnaeus, 1758), Nelly Island, Great Sound, Bermuda, British Overseas Territory, on sandy debris in 7m depth, live taken specimen shell.
Exceptional specimen of huge size and fantastic dark color. From Bermuda which is a rare location, a true specimen seashell of great beauty and superb dark coloration. Always a favourite species of mine, and mature pieces becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, this here is an absolute beauty from my personal collection. GEM condition without any nibbles much less scares.
10. Galeoocorys leucodoma (Dall, 1907), near Owase, Mie prefecture, Japan, caught in 250m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
A fragile shell from very deep water and miraculously preserved in GEM condition including periostracum and genuine operculum on, from the collection of Taketo Kurosawa
11. Sconsia lindae (Petuch, 1987), Gulf of Uraba, Colombia, in 38m depth, live taken specimen shell.
A GEM beauty which is very hard to find in this species which tends to have incrustations below the nacre which reflect its silty seafloor bottom habitat. This one is perfect and for this reason rare already, besides Sconsia lindae never was a common shell and even in the best times only very few perfect specimens came on the market, so this taxon is much underrepresented in collections, and now with shrimpers no longer working in much of its restricted habitat the shell is becoming even harder to get in any condition. This superb piece sports a very dark and saturated chestnut color  pattern, very bold and of great beauty, and is of flawless growth, a most desirable specimen indeed.
12. Sconsia lindae (Petuch, 1987), Gulf of Uraba, Colombia, in 38m depth, live taken specimen shell.
A GEM beauty which is very hard to find in this species which tends to have incrustations below the nacre which reflect its silty seafloor bottom habitat. This one is perfect and for this reason rare already, besides Sconsia lindae never was a common shell and even in the best times only very few perfect specimens came on the market, so this taxon is much underrepresented in collections, and now with shrimpers no longer working in much of its restricted habitat the shell is becoming even harder to get in any condition. This superb piece sports a perfect shiny golden undulating pattern of great beauty, and is of flawless growth, a most desirable specimen indeed.
13. Sconsia lindae (Petuch, 1987), Gulf of Uraba, Colombia, in 38m depth, live taken specimen shell.
A GEM beauty which is very hard to find in this species which tends to have incrustations below the nacre which reflect its silty seafloor bottom habitat. This one is perfect and for this reason rare already, besides Sconsia lindae never was a common shell and even in the best times only very few perfect specimens came on the market, so this taxon is much underrepresented in collections, and now with shrimpers no longer working in much of its restricted habitat the shell is becoming even harder to get in any condition. This superb piece sports a perfect shiny golden undulating pattern, very bold and of great beauty, and is of flawless growth, a most desirable specimen indeed.
14. Sconsia lindae (Petuch, 1987), Gulf of Uraba, Colombia, in 38m depth, live taken specimen shell.
A GEM beauty which is very hard to find in this species which tends to have incrustations below the nacre which reflect its silty seafloor bottom habitat. This one is perfect and for this reason rare already, besides Sconsia lindae never was a common shell and even in the best times only very few perfect specimens came on the market, so this taxon is much underrepresented in collections, and now with shrimpers no longer working in much of its restricted habitat the shell is becoming even harder to get in any condition. This superb piece sports a perfect shiny golden undulating pattern, very bold and of great beauty, and is of flawless growth, a most desirable specimen indeed.
15. Sconsia lindae (Petuch, 1987), Gulf of Uraba, Colombia, in 38m depth, live taken specimen shell.
A GEM beauty which is very hard to find in this species which tends to have incrustations below the nacre which reflect its silty seafloor bottom habitat. This one is perfect and for this reason rare already, besides Sconsia lindae never was a common shell and even in the best times only very few perfect specimens came on the market, so this taxon is much underrepresented in collections, and now with shrimpers no longer working in much of its restricted habitat the shell is becoming even harder to get in any condition. This superb piece sports a perfect shiny golden undulating pattern, very bold and of great beauty, and is of flawless growth, a most desirable specimen indeed.
16. Phalium fimbria (Gmelin, 1791), near Nacala, Mozambique Channel, caught in 120m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Outstanding golden color and very mature and choice, it would take but 30 seconds to convert this shell into GEM+ grading, but as you know, all my shells come in natural quality and I never resort to any kind of doctoring shells. So you can be sure when you decide to add this specimen to your collection that it is preserved as collected, and for being a deep water species from Mozambique I think it can be proudly displayed in a connoisseur's cabinet for having a series of top qualities which make it most desirable, and that includes a mature margin, extremely long and well preserved teeth, a gem siphonal area, complete and undamaged apex, fabulous undulating pattern and flawless uninterrupted growth. Suitable to illustrate the taxon to perfection, rare and valuable in such excellent condition.
17. Phalium fimbria (Gmelin, 1791), near Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, by local fishermen in 40m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Very rare gem beauty,  you can be sure when you decide to add this specimen to your collection that it is preserved as collected, and for being a deep water species from Mozambique I think it can be proudly displayed in a connoisseur's cabinet for having a series of top qualities which make it most desirable, and that includes a mature margin, extremely long and well preserved teeth, a gem siphonal area, complete and undamaged apex, fabulous undulating pattern and flawless uninterrupted growth. Suitable to illustrate the taxon to perfection, rare and valuable in such excellent condition.
18. Phalium fimbria (Gmelin, 1791), near Nacala, Mozambique Channel, caught in 120m depth, live taken specimen shell.
The smallest of my three specimens but none the less a fabulous and most attractive piece which comes in fantastic top grading condition
19. Galeodea keyteri (Kilburn, 1975), off Imhambane, Mozambique, caught in 300m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Very rare species and from very deep water, fantastic condition which justifies GEM grading.
20. Galeodea keyteri (Kilburn, 1975), off Imhambane, Mozambique, caught in 300m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Very rare species and from very deep water, fantastic condition which justifies GEM grading.
21. Galeodea keyteri (Kilburn, 1975), off Imhambane, Mozambique, caught in 300m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Very rare species and from very deep water, fantastic condition which justifies GEM grading.
22. Galeodea rugosa (Linneus, 1758), off Estepona near Malaga, Alboran Sea, Spain, on muddy sand in 250m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
A huge and perfect specimen in all natural condition from the Alboran Sea where some limited deep water shrimping is done but unfortunately fishermen are not allowed to land the bycatch, and that means that interesting and potentially valuable material from this interesting area of the Mediterranean Sea is no longer available except from old collection, and here comes such a piece which even back in times of relative plenty was a remarkable shell for its huge size and outstanding condition which includes a huge and flaring shield which is thinner than paper and a very well developed and super mature revoluted margin and a long siphonal tube.
23. Oocorys wyvillei (Watson, 1886), near Naha, Okinawa Island, Japan, on sand in 80m depth, live taken specimen shell.
Inflated specimen of fabulous color, all caramel golden on the flawless dorsum, and porcelain white in the beautiful aperture: these deep water gastropods typically live on silty bottom and they have the habit of incrusting silt particles in their shield making them look rather ugly: this piece from the Japanese population comes in exceptionally clean condition which is due to its particular habitat, sandy bottom, and for its perfection and inflated size and beautiful color: it makes a choice display specimen for the aesthetic collector. Genuine all natural and very mature.
24. Hypocassis fimbriata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833), Michaelmas Island, Albany, Western Australia, on sand in 20m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Just look at the siphon and you will fall in love with this outstanding piece which comes in superb quality with dense 'fimbriata' foldings all around the body, splendid dash pattern with full natural gloss, very clean and flawless growth, mature lip and large shield, with original operculum on, fully documented with all details. A very attractive piece in all natural condition from the famous Meyer collection, this piece represents a very attractive form and its relatively small size is definitely no setback, quite the contrary because it comes with superb quality. To resume in one word: this is a gem jewel.
25. Hypocassis fimbriata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833), Cape Esperance, Western Australia, on sandflats in 12m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
Super mature and large, this is my heaviest piece with incredibly thick shield and rounded margin, almost imitating a flame or other of the much larger Caribbean cousins. Choice piece which comes in large size and superb quality, very clean and flawless growth, mature lip and glossy shield.
26. Hypocassis fimbriata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833), Michaelmas Island, Albany, Western Australia, on sand in 20m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
An absolute Gem and suitable to illustrate the taxon to perfection in a reference book, nothing more to say.
27. Hypocassis fimbriata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833), Spencer Gulf, Victoria, Australia, on sand flats in 20m depth, live taken specimen shell.
Inflated size and lovely  quality with lamellated 'fimbriata' foldings all around the body, splendid dark and impressive pattern with full natural gloss, very clean and flawless growth and large shield, fully documented with all details, including the only soft spot which is a small area of slight roughness to the shield laterally; a very attractive piece in all natural condition, this one would probably receive some doctoring elsewhere to be sold later as a genuine gem, however I prefer an honest shell in untouched condition.
28. Cypraecassis tenuis (Wood, 1848) Bahia Isabel, Isabela Island, Galapagos, on sand in 15m depth, ex coll. Ruth Purdy, live taken specimen shell.
The shield of this specimen seems to rival the thickness and beauty of the rufa, in fact my piece weights a gorgeous 120g which is extremely rare to find in this taxon which is rather lightweight and delicate, being my heaviest piece it also is my most colorful of the genuine Galapagos pieces I ever had and preserved in all natural condition; no doubt you would expect this piece to show the usual small and large  flaws as expected in Cassidae like healed scares from inquisitive fish, however the very brilliant and all natural gloss and many layered surface is uniquely preserve din flawless condition and gives this shell a most attractive appearance quite similar to tortoiseshell, and then it also is a very rare genuine Galapagos piece. Special offer, beautiful dark color, nice giant size. From old collection, no filing, all body surface beautifully preserved free of worming, extremely dark and attractive color, very large size for a genuine Galapagos piece, from native fishermen, a reminder that the species was for food in the old times of plenty.
29. Cypraecassis tenuis (Wood, 1848), Isla de la Plata, Manabi, Ecuador, by night dive on sand in 18m depth, ex coll. Ruth Purdy, live taken specimen shell.
No doubt this piece does show the usual small flaws as expected in Cassidae like nibbles near siphon from inquisitive fish, however the very brilliant and all natural gloss and many layered surface give this shell a most attractive appearance quite similar to tortoise shell. Beautiful dark color, nice size. From old collection, no filing, all body surface free of bites, extremely dark and attractive color, large size, from native fishermen, the species was eaten in the old times of plenty.
30. Cypraecassis tenuis (Wood, 1848), Socorro Island, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico, on sand in 12m depth, ex coll. Ruth Purdy, live taken specimen shell.
Highly priced gastropod, and I do not only have the shell collector in mind: these shells are regarded as tasty seafood and they have been fished and dived for by local fishermen already in pre-Columbian times. Generally I like to obtain shells which have not been killed for the collector, but in this case shells from the fishermen have a drawback: they have been cooked for a lengthy time and these pieces look a bit on the dull side. Of course, if you have never had the chance to see a diver taken specimen on your hand, then you won't even notice the difference, but sadly cooked specimens tend to fade within a few years and they become moldy even under controlled conditions. This shell here was taken by a visiting conchologist in late 1990's and it was cleaned in the cold of course, thus preserving the shell with a gloss such as not seen in other shells you can get on the market. Superb shell, very glossy and all natural condition, just as dived, and there is no filing of course, superb and extremely rare quality.
31. Galeodea echinophora (Linnaeus, 1758), near Frejus, France, Western Mediterranean, dived in 1981 on muddy sand in 35m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
A fascinating species, and especially this shell which is representing the very massive form which is outstanding for its ornamentation resembling the prickly pericup of a chestnut or at least that is what Linnaeus had in mind when he created the taxon name 'echinophora' which is the Latin word used to describe sea urchins, chestnuts and all other prickly things including articular gout. And the last one was more common in those days than you might think. A particularly beautiful specimen, much underrated species in my opinion.
32. Galeodea echinophora (Linnaeus, 1758), near Frejus, France, Western Mediterranean, dived in 1981 on muddy sand in 35m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
A fascinating species, and especially this shell which is representing the very massive form which is outstanding for its ornamentation resembling the prickly pericup of a chestnut or at least that is what Linnaeus had in mind when he created the taxon name 'echinophora' which is the Latin word used to describe sea urchins, chestnuts and all other prickly things including articular gout. And the last one was more common in those days than you might think. A particularly beautiful specimen, much underrated species in my opinion.
33. Galeodea echinophora (Linnaeus, 1758), near Frejus, France, Western Mediterranean, dived in 1981 on muddy sand in 35m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
A fascinating species, and especially this shell which is representing the very massive form which is outstanding for its ornamentation resembling the prickly pericup of a chestnut or at least that is what Linnaeus had in mind when he created the taxon name 'echinophora' which is the Latin word used to describe sea urchins, chestnuts and all other prickly things including articular gout. And the last one was more common in those days than you might think. A particularly beautiful specimen, much underrated species in my opinion.
34. Galeodea echinophora (Linnaeus, 1758), near Frejus, France, Western Mediterranean, dived in 1981 on muddy sand in 35m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
A fascinating species, and especially this specimen which is representing the very massive form outstanding for its ornamentation resembling the prickly pericup of a chestnut, or at least that is what Linnaeus had in mind when he created the taxon name 'echinophora' which is the Latin word used to describe sea urchins, chestnuts and all other prickly things including articular gout. And the last one was more common in those days than you might think. A particularly beautiful specimen, much underrated species in my opinion.
35. Galeodea echinophora ssp. solida (Bucquoy, Dautzenberg & Dollfus, 1882), off Naples, Thyrrhenian Sea, Italy, in 150m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
This subspecies comes from deep water and always is much smaller than the main taxon, very interesting and a splendid piece preserved to rare perfection
36. Galeodea echinophora ssp. solida (Bucquoy, Dautzenberg & Dollfus, 1882), off Naples, Thyrrhenian Sea, Italy, in 150m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
This subspecies comes from deep water and always is much smaller than the main taxon, very interesting and a splendid piece preserved to rare perfection.
37. Cassis nana (Tenison-Woods, 1879), near Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland, Australia, in 240m depth, with original operculum on, live taken specimen shell.
My largest specimen and you can harry call it ‘nana’ at over 60mm size! From abysmal depths at over 120 fathoms this is probably my most interesting nana because of its densely set and very small knobs: compare to a more common specimen such as usually found in the trade and you will see why I did love this piece. In addition, this shell is amazingly beautiful and preserved in  all natural condition without filing of course. Inflated shell of extremely delicate and fragile body with well marked shoulder knobs, thin as paper and fragile as glass, this shell is very large and attractive and in fact the taxon name 'nana' indicating "small" might be misleading in this particular piece. A very rare old collection specimen, no longer available to conchologists due to restrictions in deep water fishing. Superb.