Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Showing two Knightia alta fish on a rectangular limestone matrix with a partial third fish. 1.14 kg total, 20.5 x 14.5 cm



From Wyoming, USA. From the private collection of a Devon, UK, lady.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah), in the Green River Formation, are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Uinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.

Thinnfeldia talgarbarensis showing two branching leaves on a matrix. 91 grams, 95 mm



From the Blackstone formation, Dinmore Quarry, Queensland, Australia. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

Comprising thirteen sections of pale pink dolomite, some with marcasite. 1.52 kg total, 68-95 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Large group of tumbled, mainly dark green to almost black tourmaline specimens. 1.02 kg total, 3-12 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Boxed group comprising twenty-seven specimens of radiating clusters of flattened crystals forming flower-like formations. 2.67 kg total, 55-72 mm



From Brazil. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Tongue-shaped matrix with a fossil crinoid, possibly Scyphocrinites elegans. 473 grams, 16.5 cm



From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Comprising twenty irregular, unpolished specimens showing contrasting banding. 622 grams total, 4.4-16 cm



From the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Comprising three insects, two smaller and one larger, with long wings. 93 grams total, 39-70 mm



From Brazil. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

In a partially curled, defensive posture showing the characteristic notched pygidium. 83.3 grams, 66 mm



From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

A Carcharocles megalodon shark tooth, with serrations and polished tooth enamel. 105 grams, 90 mm



From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

Carcharodon megalodon is regarded as one of the largest and most powerful marine predators in vertebrate history and likely had a profound impact on the structuring of the marine communities. Fossil remains indicate that this giant shark reached a length of more than 16 metres (52 ft) and also affirm that it had a cosmopolitan distribution. Scientists suggest that in life it looked like a stockier version of the great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias.

Comprising one hundred vivid canary-yellow specimens. 1.3 kg total, 10-50 mm



From Brazil. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.

Polygonal mortality display containing a large number of bivalves. 6.85 kg, 35.2 cm



From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.