Fossils After the Diamond Saw

This first specimen is a cross section of a horn coral from either Michigan or Canada.  My friend Dave at Views of the Mahantango sent it to me.

The second cross section might be of a sponge found in the Louisville Limestone of Kentucky (Silurian).

The last cross section is a colonial coral found in the Louisville Limestone of Kentucky (Silurian).

Memorial Day in the USA

"that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -- Abraham Lincoln

These words came clear to me recently on a visit to Baldwin Cemetery in the town of Vernon, Indiana.  While I was studying a nearby fossil locality, my journey took me though this cemetery where I came across the tombstones of two soldiers.  Both men have the same last names and buried within meters of each other. One died during World War II and the other a soldier in the American Civil War serving with the 22 Regiment Indiana Infantry died of old age during World War I. 

Memorial Day was created to honor soldiers like this.

Interesting, the same cemetery more veterans were found and again with the same family name.  These veterans were from the War of 1812 and the American Civil War.

Another grave marker appears to be from the famous Indiana Limestone and shows some the excellent stone carving craftsmanship.  It represents a tree stump with a fern growing next to it.

The Muscatatuck River flowing near the cemetery.

Cephalopod imprint of a Silurian Dawsonoceras(?) in the Laurel Dolomite.

Phacops Trilobite Thorax

Phacops trilobite from the Devonian Period found in Jeffersonville Limestone of Clark County, Indiana. 

Actor Larry Hagman Fossil

The actor made famous for his role as the oil baron J.R. Ewing on the television show Dallas, Larry Hagman is auctioning of his cephalopod fossil grouped with geodes. It is lot number 7 and described as "Two two blue and white crystal geodes, together with a fossil of squid in black marble. Fossil, 8 by 12 inches". Estimated price $100-200 US and already has an on-line bid.

UPDATE: Ammonite/Geodes sold for $200.

CLICK LINK HERE to see the auction site with pictures of the items and also a picture of where they were displayed in his home. The polished cephalopods appear to be from Morocco (Silurian Period?). These items are decorations and not part of a formal collection.  It is neat to see them in an auction with all the television/movie items.

Another item that is interesting is the replica of the genie bottle from his television show I Dream of Jeannie.   CLICK HERE TO VIEW.  Estimated value $1000-2000.

UPDATE: Replica genie bottle sold for $8000!

The auction will be June 4, 2011 at Julian's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California with Internet bidding as well.  Free Public Exhibition: Monday, May 23rd - Friday, June 3rd Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (P.S.T.) (Closed Sundays) Live and Online Auction: Saturday, June 4, 2011 Session I: 10:00 a.m. P.S.T. Session II: 2:00 p.m. P.S.T. Location: Julien's Auctions Beverly Hills 9665 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 150 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 For more information email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818

Embedded in this posts is a television story about the auction. Mr. Hagman's wife has sick and it appears he needs to downsize their estate and move where she can get treatment.

 

Waldron Shale Graptolite - Acanthograptus?

Unidentified graptolite found in Waldron Shale (Silurian Period) of Jennings County, Indiana USA.

Specimen 2 cm tall and 1 cm wide.  It looks like undetermined identification #1 in the The Silurian Experience Field Guide on the Rochester Shale page 78.

UPDATE (May-2020): Primitive Worlds Rochester Shale web site now lists that as likely Acanthograptus sp.
http://www.primitiveworlds.com/graptolites-8.html

Clement Museum Mineral Show June 4-5, 2011

The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum hosts their 6th annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show June 4 and 5, 2011.  The museum primarily houses fluorite found in the area along with mining equipment used when fluorite mines were active.  They have a special room for the fluorescent minerals (some from the area but a lot from Franklin, New Jersey).

The hours will be Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM and Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM which I believe is in the Central time zone.  It is a great time to see the museum and its grounds plus sign up for digs at the local fluorite sites. 

For more information about this event go to their web site clementmineralmuseum.org, e-mail beclement@att.net or call 270-965-4263.  The following pictures are a small sample of items one can see on display at the museum.

Toy Dinosaur

Toy dinosaur in the KidZone at the Louisville Science Center.  Maybe a T. rex?

Silurian Cephalopod Imprint

This Silurian cephalopod imprint was found in Jennings County, Indiana maybe the Laurel Dolomite (in a layer below the Waldron Shale).  It reminds me of the Dawsonoceras.

Southern Indiana Minerals

Calcite is one of the most prevalent minerals found in the state of Indiana.  These first two pictures show clusters of honey colored calcite crystals with remnants of pink dolomite.  The third picture shows the reverse with a large concentration of pink dolomite with two calcite crystals.  These minerals were found years ago in Harrison County, Indiana.

They are for sale on eBay CLICK HERE, CLICK HERE, and HERE. 

In addition, two other minerals are for sale an UV light fluorescent wernerite var. scapolite FOUND HERE from Canada and pyrophyllite with hematite from Graves Mountain, Georgia CLICK HERE.

Honey colored calcite crystal - Corydon, Indiana

Pink dolomite with calcite crystals - Corydon, Indiana

Wernerite (var. scapolite) from Otter Bay, Canada

Wernerite (var. scapolite) from Otter Bay, Canada under LW UV light

Pyrophyllite with hematite - Graves Mountain, Georgia

Scenophyllum conigerum? Horn Coral

The Scenophyllum conigerum? horn coral found in the Jeffersonville Limestone of Jefferson County, Kentucky.  This animal existed in the Middle Devonian Period.  The Louisville, Kentucky area is known for its Devonian coral fossils with over 200 species identified.

Thanks to Alan for the identification.

Heterophrentis cyathiformis Horn Coral

The Heterophrentis cyathiformis horn coral found in the Jeffersonville Limestone of Jefferson County, Kentucky.  Fossil is from the Middle Devonian Period.

Fern Fossil Plate

This fossil plate contains the remains of plants found at the famous St. Clair, Pennsylvania site.  This plate was collected in the early 1970s from the Llewellyn Formation.  The fossil dates to the Late Carboniferous or Pennsylvanian Period (about 310 million years ago). 

The collection this fossil was apart of is now being sold off.  If you are interested in buying check it out on eBay LINK HERE.