2023 MAPS Show

[Nimravis]

This weekend was the MAPS (Mid America Paleontological Society) Show, held at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The actual show started on Friday and ended today. Prior to the start of the show, there was a hotel show that started on Wednesday at the Fairfield Inn. I arrived on Wednesday and left on Saturday.

 

 

As usual, both venues were fun and it was nice to see friends that I knew from shows in the past. There were a number of forum members in attendance including @stats, @crinus, @ParkerPaleo and @fiddlehead.

 

Like most shows, there were exhibits, a kids corner, fossil ID’s and lectures. The keynote talk was by Dr. Jed Day (Illinois State University) and his talk was titled “North American Records of Devonian Extinction Events”, and it outlined the key features of the Fras, Kellwasser and Hangenburg events.

 

 

Here are some miscellaneous pictures that I took.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were also a number of fossils for sale from the Dr. Bruce Stinchcomb collection, below are a few.

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on next post.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by Nimravis

[Nimravis]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paleo Joe was in attendance-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on next post.

[Nimravis]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on next post.

[Nimravis]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s all folks.

[grandpa]

So, show us what you came home with. 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Wow!

What a lot of stunning specimens, Ralph.

Thanks for all the lovely photographs.

I think I can see your fondness for echinoids shining through.

[stats]

Great photos!   I had a great time wandering the show with you and Jeremy.

 

Cheers,

Rich

[jpc]

thanks for the tour. 

So they have minerals now.  Used to be that they called themselves the Biggest Fossils Only Show.... 

 

[taj]

waouh , what a show ! Thanks for the visual trip . Looks like the best show for fossils in this ( extended) neck of the wood .

[stats]

43 minutes ago, jpc said:

thanks for the tour. 

So they have minerals now.  Used to be that they called themselves the Biggest Fossils Only Show.... 

 

No minerals at the actual show.   I think they still call themselves the Biggest Fossil Only Show.

 

Cheers,

Rich

 

[Nimravis]

7 hours ago, jpc said:

thanks for the tour. 

So they have minerals now.  Used to be that they called themselves the Biggest Fossils Only Show.... 

 

I don’t know if I saw any at the actual show, but there were some at the hotel show for sure.

[Nimravis]

7 hours ago, taj said:

waouh , what a show ! Thanks for the visual trip . Looks like the best show for fossils in this ( extended) neck of the wood .

Yes, I wish more vendors would show up.

[Nimravis]

8 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

Wow!

What a lot of stunning specimens, Ralph.

Thanks for all the lovely photographs.

I think I can see your fondness for echinoids shining through.

Lol Adam- I do like them and some were amazing.

[Nimravis]

8 hours ago, grandpa said:

So, show us what you came home with. 

I did pick up a few items, if I get a chance I will take a couple pictures.

[marguy]

Thank you, Ralph, for this virtual tour with all these photos which show us the diversity of 'classic' fossils to exceptional pieces, it is a great pleasure to benefit from your generous sharing!

[trilobites_are_awesome]

11 hours ago, Nimravis said:

 

That is so amazing!

[trilobites_are_awesome]

I wish i could have made it this year Though there is next year

Edited October 24, 2023 by trilobites_are_awesome
Miss wording

[Danielb]

Wow It looked great.

Edited October 24, 2023 by Danielb
Misspelling

[NickG]

Has anyone gotten their copy of the EXPO Digest yet? I am wondering what page numbers my article appeared on

[ParkerPaleo]

On 10/23/2023 at 6:36 AM, Nimravis said:

Yes, I wish more vendors would show up.

Going to be hard to convince more dealers to show up without improving the number of attendees.

[ParkerPaleo]

On 10/23/2023 at 6:35 AM, Nimravis said:

I don’t know if I saw any at the actual show, but there were some at the hotel show for sure.

No minerals in the fairgrounds show, the 'pre-show' at the hotel is fair game though.