NEW YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 250 March 1979 Page 5 
C.0.A. ESTABLISHES A CENTRAL CLEARING AGENCY 
TO ASSIST IN THE RECOVERY OF STOLEN SHELLS 
At the Sixth Annual Convention of the Conchologists of America, 
held on Long Island in September, 1978, a resolution was adopted 
which established a Committee designed to assist shell collectors 
in recovering stolen shells and shell collections. 
Due to continuous increases in the value of shells, thefts are now 
more prevalent, and are becoming an issue for serious consideration. 
In several instances, rare shells have been stolen in one part of 
the country and offered for sale to collectors and dealers in other 
parts of the country at greatly discounted prices. 
The Committee has devised the following simple measures which you, 
the collector, are advised to take, by way of advance preparation: 
1. Color photograph your more valuable shells, showing dorsal 
and ventral views. If possible, use a close-up lens. 
2, Keep accurate records concerning size of each shell in mn, 
location of any identifying markings, value of shell and a 
description of any unusual features inherent in the shell. 
3, The Committee recommends the purchase of a "Brinks Security 
Marker," a $3.00 item which is available in most stationery 
stores. The marking is only visible through the use of 
special lighting equipment operational in most Police Dept. 
Burglary Units. Be sure to note where shell is marked and 
make sure that marking is not in an area where it can be 
accidentally rubbed off. 
If a theft does occur, report it immediately to your local author- 
ities and then contact the Committee Chairperson, Sally Jo Gray, 
either by phone or by mail (Details below). Advise her of the name 
of the agency to which the theft was reported and the case number 
assigned. Include all information pertinent to the stolen items, 
as well as photographs. This material will be documented and kept 
on file. 
COA's first step will be to attempt, wherever possible, to have a 
description of the stolen shells listed in the various shell pub- 
lications. 
Finally, the Committee urges any dealer or individual, who is ap- 
proached concerning the suspicious purchase of shells, to contact 
Miss Gray. She in turn will provide the name and address of the 
person from whom the shell was stolen, if the information can be 
matched to her files, so that the prospective purchaser can make 
direct contact with the purported owner of the shell or shells. 
Through this new central clearing agency, it is hoped that we may 
assist in facilitating the quick recovery of the stolen material. 
Sally Jo Gray 
3943 Cornell Way 
Eugene, Oregon 94705 
Telephone: (503) 342-2281 
CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA NEWS RELEASE distributed January 2, 1979 
