crinus Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Yesterday I signed over my prized crinoid (my avatar) along with 20 other specimens to the University of Michigan, Museum of Paleontology. With this crinoid I donated 7 other prized crinoids, 2 blastoids, 4 Tully Monsters, 2 brachiopods, 1 Mazon insect wing, 2 corals and a Cooksonia. These will then be loaned to the Museum of Natural History to go on permanent display in the new museum to open in 2019. Hardest part was parting with my avatar crinoid. It is what I consider the finest example of an Arthroacantha from the Arkona Formation at Arkona, Ontario. Not that parting with 4 exquisite Tullys wasn't hard. Hey, I offered and they came and took. I just wanted the museum to open with very nice examples of fossils. 37 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 I am very happy and rather sad at the same time reading this post. It's a great thing to do, but doing the right thing is sometimes very hard. A truly beautiful crinoid, one of the very best. 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 A very noble donation, astounding crinoid. 1 Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone guy Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Kinda like watching your kid go off to college. You know they're going somewhere good, but you also know you will miss them. But in the end, you have extra space for more fossils. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggedy Man Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 That crinoid is absolutely stunning. They're lucky to have it to display in their collection. Thanks for donating it so others are able to see this wonderful specimen. This says a lot about you and your character. ...I'm back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Your generosity is truly exceptional! I can only hope that this donation bears great fruit in inspiring others to admire and respect nature and science. Perhaps some future leader of paleontology will be set on their path by your efforts. Thank you! Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilSniper Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 On 5/12/2018 at 12:00 PM, Bone guy said: Kinda like watching your kid go off to college. You know they're going somewhere good, but you also know you will miss them. But in the end, you have extra space for more fossils. Do you mean crinus will have more room for fossils after donating, or that the room left by the child when in college gives more fossil space? ———— Amazing crinoids. I would have a very traumatic time if I had to part with specimens like that. I’ll definitely look forward to seeing them in the MNH when I visit. Amazing donations like these are what fuel the paleontological universe! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Incredible kind gesture you should be very proud. It is also going to be viewed lots more people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Thumbs up for contributing to science “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone guy Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 14 minutes ago, FossilSniper said: Do you mean crinus will have more room for fossils after donating, or that the room left by the child when in college gives more fossil space? Ha both 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Heckuva legacy, Joe! It must be bitter-sweet to relinquish your favorites, even knowing that thousands and thousands of people will get to enjoy (and learn from) them. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 4 hours ago, crinus said: I donated 7 other prized crinoids, 2 blastoids, 4 Tully Monsters, 2 brachiopods, 1 Mazon insect wing, 2 corals and a Partridge in a pear tree! sorry, it just came to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Truly a wonderful thing you did! That specimen is an absolute beauty! I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Another great example of the generosity displayed on this forum! You should take great pride in what you did. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bones Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Wow. That's impressive. .. both the fossils and your generosity! Kudos to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spongy Joe Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 I can honestly say I've never found a crinoid quite that good. I've found a few good 'uns over the years, but that is spectacular! Well done on the donation; in the long run, you really won't regret it, as you'll know you've made an impression on human knowledge and natural appreciation, rather than just your own (and ours )! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crinus Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 Thank you for all the kind remarks. I would not have parted with it if I didn't think it was a good move. It would have ended up there eventually but by giving it early, it goes on exhibit. Later the exhibit would have been in place and this specimen (as well as the others) would have ended up in a drawer for no one to see. Thanks All Joe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolmt Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Absolutely awesome Joe.... worldclass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonianDigger Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Very nicely done! Jay A. Wollin Lead Fossil Educator - Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve Hamburg, New York, USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Awesome. You did a great service to all amateur fossil hunters. I salute you. Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Very well played, Joe, bittersweet as this is. You had a wonderful opportunity to be there when those pits were active. Of course, it still involved a lot of work! ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 What a guy! Good on ya man! and what a most beautiful crinoid to replace it with!!! RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLB Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 my hats off for you that is one nice fossil im shur they will make alot of money on all the visiters that will come and see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siteseer Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Yeah, it's tough to give away something good. I donated a really nice snail in an Oligocene concretion once. I found it and got a lucky hammer hit too. It was perfect and something rare so UC Berkeley has it now. I don't collect gastropods avidly but I found it and it was a great display piece. It sounds like you liked those specimens even more but at least they're on display where you can still look at them whenever you want. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantguy Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 What a specimen! Congrats on the donation! Looks pretty fragile...Was there any chance of getting molds made of any of the specimens that have relief/castable features? Regards, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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