Dr. José H. Leal, Director, The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, P.O. Box 1580 Sanibel, FL 33957

Applications for the 2013 Visiting Curatorship should be sent electronically to the above e-mail address no later than May 31, 2013, or postmarked by that date if sent by regular mail. The award will be announced by late June 2013. Questions about the Visiting Curatorship should be sent to the e-mail address above, or by phone at: (239) 395-2233; Fax (239) 395-6706

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, the Nautilus Editor, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 USA

President – Linda Sunderland

Vice President – Sonny Ogden

Treasurer – Tom Ball Corres

Secretary – Carolyn Harvey

Recording Secretary – Linda Laurin

Participants (over 50 altogether) cast votes for 32 species from among the 150+ species shown.  Tenth place was a three way tie between mirifica/thaanumi, farreri, and antillarum.  Ninth place was the wonderous and rare cranmerorum from Somalia.  Eighth place was the beautiful delicate  dianae from Okinawa.  Seventh place went to the brightly colored langfordi, a Hawaiian endemic.  Sixth place was Florida native pellucens, long known as imbricata, and this may still prove to be its correct name.  Fifth place went to the elegant swifti of northern Japan and Siberia.  Fourth place winner was magnifica, the giant red scallop endemic to the Galapagos Islands.  Third place winner was the uniquely refined and brightly colored speciosus of Japan.

Second place winner was glaber, the Mediterranean scallop which displays endless hues of color and endless patterns.  It received only one less vote than the winner.

What, might you ask, could top the beauty and variation found in glaber?  Well, among Florida collectors there has always been a favorite scallop, and this vote showed that Floridians fervently believe that this scallop is also the most beautiful scallop in the world.  This scallop has it all!  Great size, great colors, and great variation in its patterns.  That scallop is, of course, fragosus, the Florida lion’s paw, and it truly is a marvel of nature!

2013 BSC SHELL SHOW AWARDS – SCIENTIFIC DIVISION

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AWARD – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – Uncommon to Rare Florida/Caribbean Gastropods (Category: FL/Carib. any manner)

CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA AWARD – Gene Everson – GLYCYMERIDIDAE – (Category: Super 10)

THE DuPONT AWARD – Sheila Nugent – Native Americans, the First Collectors (Category: Educational)

“BEST OF THE BEST” – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – The World Wide Invader Giant African Snail!

LEN HILL MEMORIAL – Doug Thompson – Lion’s Paws (Category: One species any manner)

SHELL OF SHOW – Self Collected – Jae Kellogg – Conus spurius (Fay) (Category: Single Shell self-collected)

SHELL OF SHOW – Any Manner – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – Latirus mcmurrayi in “Uncommon to Rare Florida/Caribbean Gastropods” (Category: FL/Carib. Any manner)

JIM VUNKANNON MEMORIAL FLORIDA / CARIBBEAN TROPHY – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace - Uncommon to Rare Florida/Caribbean Muricidae (Category: Super 10)

GERRIT deGRAFF MEMORIAL – Doug Thompson – Spondylus americanus (inside another Spondylus americanus) (Category: FL/Carib. self-collected)

NEIL HEPLER MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE – Pat & Bob Linn – Those Amazing Spider Conchs (Category: One genus any manner)

BEST STUDENT EXHIBITOR TROPHY – SCIENTIFIC – Marissa Linn – Treasures from the Beach (Category: Student 7-12 Grade Self-collected)

BEST SEA LIFE EXHIBIT TROPHY – Doug Thompson – Texas Longhorns (Category: Sea Life)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – SCIENTIFIC – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – The World Wide Invader Giant African Snail!

Judge’s Scientific Special Merit ribbons (2) – Each scientific judge awarded a Special Merit.

Doug Thompson – triple Spondylus (2 species, 3 colors) in Self-collected Spiny Oyster exhibit

Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – Murex beaui in Uncommon to Rare Fl.Carib. Muricidae exhibit

SCIENTIFIC RIBBON WINNERS

STUDENT – Grades 7 through 12 – Self-collected – BLUE – Marissa Linn – Treasures from the Beach

FLORIDA / CARIBBEAN – Self-collected –             BLUE (tie) – Amelia Moffitt Tripp – The ABCs of Alphabet Cones; BLUE      (tie) – Doug Thompson – Self-collected Spiny Oysters

FLORIDA / CARIBBEAN – Any manner – BLUE – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – Uncommon to Rare           Florida/Caribbean Gastropods

ONE GENUS – Any Manner –  BLUE – Pay & Bob Linn – Those Amazing Spider Conchs; RED – Carole Marshall – The   Genus Argopecten; WHITE – Gregory A. Curry, Sr. – Volutoconus of Australia

ONE SPECIES – Any Manner – BLUE – Doug Thompson – Lion’s Paws; RED – Patrick & Jae Kellogg – Strombus alatus “A Rainbow of Colors”

SINGLE SHELL – FLORIDA / CARIBBEAN – Self-collected – BLUE – Jae Kellogg – Conus spurious “Fay”; RED (tie)–    Randy Allamand – Conus zylmanae; RED (tie) Heather Strawbridge – Gelagna succinta; WHITE – Doug       Thompson – Murex levicula (WRS Record)

SINGLE SHELL – FLORIDA / CARIBBEAN – Any Manner – BLUE – Gregory A. Curry Sr. – Lyria russjenseni ; RED –    Amelia Moffitt Tripp – Busycon perversum

SINGLE SHELL – FOSSIL – SELF-COLLECTED –             BLUE – Jae Kellogg – Turbinella regina

ABBERANT SHELLS – Any Manner  – BLUE (tie) – Tom Ball – Freaks; BLUE (tie) – Patrick Kellogg – Busycon             contrarium

LAND or FRESH WATER SHELLS – Any Manner – Sheila L. Nugent – Apple Snails Love Cape Coral

SEA LIFE – BLUE – Doug Thompson – Texas Longhorns; RED – Bev Dolezal – Starfish

SUPER 10 – BLUE (tie) – Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – Uncommon to Rare Florida/Caribbean Muricids; BLUE (tie)    – Gene Everson – Glycymerididae; RED – Tom Ball – World Record Shells database – still valid?;

WHITE – Randy Allamand – Self-collected Shells of Florida and the Caribbean

BEACH SHELLS –BLUE – Patrick & Jae Kellogg – South African Limpets – Capetown

EDUCATIONAL – BLUE – Sheila L. Nugent – Native Americans, the first collectors

Judge’s Scientific Special Merit ribbons (2) – Each scientific judge awarded a Special Merit.

Doug Thompson – triple Spondylus (2 species, 3 colors) in Spiny Oyster exhibit

Robert L. Pace and Alice L. Pace – Murex beaui in Uncommon to Rare Florida/Caribbean Muricidae exhibit

2013 BSC SHELL SHOW AWARDS – ARTISTIC DIVISION

BEST STUDENT EXHIBITOR TROPHY – ARTISTIC – Marissa Linn – Rolling to the Beach (Category: Hobbyist Student Grades 7-12)

BEST IN SHOW TROPHY – HOBBYIST – Tom Laurin – Emerging Sun & Ocean Produce (Category: Beginning Exhibitor – Hobbyist)

BEST IN SHOW TROPHY – PROFESSIONAL – Kinsey Maxell – Neptune’s Treasures (Category: Professional Décor – Tabletop only)

BEST IN SHOW TROPHY – SAILOR’S VALENTINE – David Rhyne – Farewell My Love (Category: Professional Double Sailor’s Valentine)

BEST TABLE TOP TROPHY – Sue Burns-Piras & Mario Piras – Worldwide Sea Glass (Category: Professional Special)

BEST WALL HUNG TROPHY – Marci Chamberlain – Mermaid’s Garden (Category: Professional Décor – Wall hung only)

FAY MUCHA MEMORIAL BEST COLLECTIBLES TROPHY – Sonny Ogden – Stickchart Exhibit

BEST BEGINNING ARTISTIC EXHIBITOR – Betty Mixon – Neptune’s Parlor (Category: Hobbyist Beginning Exhibitor)

Judge’s Artistic Special Merit ribbons (2) – Each scientific judge awarded a Special Merit.

Betty Mixon – Neptune’s Parlor (Category: Hobbyist Beginning Exhibitor – Hobbyist)

Shannon Webster – Neptune’s Crown (Category: Professional Décor – Tabletop)

ARTISTIC HOBBYIST RIBBON WINNERS

BEGINNING EXHIBITOR – BLUE (tie) Betty Mixon – Neptune’s Parlor; BLUE (tie) Tom Laurin – Ocean Produce and      Emerging Sun; WHITE (tie) – Betty Mixon – Birds of a Feather; WHITE (tie) Scott Strawbridge – Isaac’s       Treasure (photo)

STUDENT – Grades 7 – 12 – BLUE (tie) – Marissa Linn – Rolling to the Beach; BLUE (tie) Marissa Linn – My Shelly Hat

PICTURE OR MOSAIC – Greater than 6″ – WHITE – Joy Stafford – Mosaic Mirror

DÉCOR – TABLETOP ONLY – BLUE – Pat Linn – Wreath of Many Memories

PHOTOGRAPHY – RED – Sheila L. Nugent – Frog With Mussels

PAINTING OR DRAWING – WHITE – Sheila L. Nugent – Noble Scallop

NOVELTIES – RED – Robert L. Pace – Mama Green Turtle Laying Eggs

SEWING OR NEEDLEWORK – RED – Wendy Ryan – Framed Group of Shells

ARTISTIC PROFESSIONAL RIBBON WINNERS

PICTURE OR MOSAIC – Greater than 6″ – BLUE – Marci Chamberlain – Mermaid’s Garden

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT – Greater than 6” – BLUE – Jenny Campos – Divinity (Shell Vase/Bouquet)

SAILOR’S VALENTINE – Single – Octagonal case – BLUE – David Rhyne – Pegasus; RED –Jane Santini

SAILOR’S VALENTINE – Double – Pair of hinged octagonal cases – BLUE – David Rhyne – Farewell My Love

MIRROR – BLUE – Heather Strawbridge – Mirror Sconce; RED – Shannon Webster – Mirror

DÉCOR – WALL HUNG ONLY – BLUE – Shannon Webster – Décor (cross); WHITE – Heather Strawbridge – Wreath

DÉCOR – TABLE TOP  ONLY – BLUE – Kinsey Maxell – Neptune’s Treasures (mini store); RED – Shannon Webster – Neptune’s Crown

JEWELRY and PERSONAL ACCESSORIES – BLUE – Sue Burns-Piras and Mario Piras – Jewels of the Sea

NOVELTIES – RED – Shannon Webster – Novelties (Pair of Two)

HOLIDAY THEMES – RED – Shannon Webster – Holiday; WHITE – Jenny Campos – Beachy Ornaments

SPECIAL – BLUE – Sue Burns-Piras and Mario Piras – World Wide Sea Glass

Richard Kent has yet again supplied us with another shell…or should I say shells as our feature shell for this month. Terebras are a marvelous family of shells whose shapes never vary unlike some other families. They are always that wonderful long-tapering “spike” shape. Size, color patterns and such may vary…but never their shape. What makes this feature special is the cut-away shell so you can see the internal structure. You will want to take a chance on these!

Pleuroploca (now Triplofusus) gigantea, Kiener, 1840 Collected by diver in 20′ depth off Clearwater, Florida.

Yes…this is THE Florida State Shell, the Horse Conch and most of us are very familiar with it. It is found throughout Florida and was thus the perfect candidate for our state shell. It is a carnivorous specie and will attack the like of Strombus gigas and many other species to the point that Bahamians who find this shell rarely in the Bahamas always eliminate it for that reason.

January 19-20, 2013

Hosted 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.

Thousands 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/

Scientific 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 21^st, 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.

Bio: Christopher Boykin has resided in Florida for twenty-two years and works for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Coral Reef Program. He participated on research projects as the principle investigator or assistant for more than fifteen species. His primary efforts with chelonians involved nine years of survey efforts with the ornate diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota), which is found along Florida’s west coast.