EBay - Formation Collection for Sale $395,000

[DavidDoyle]

I thought I would pass this one along.

Huge Stalactite Stalagmite Crystal Collection Speleo

Starting Bid is $395,000

http://cgi.ebay.com/Huge-Stalactite-Sta ... dZViewItem

[jonsdigs]

Not only a sick collection but a price you could buy an entire un-raped cave for.

-Jon

[Phil Winkler]

One of the most disgusting displays I have ever seen. How dare they? I thought eBay had a policy about not permitting this.?

[NZcaver]

One of the most disgusting displays I have ever seen. How dare they? I thought eBay had a policy about not permitting this.?

Unfortunately, I don't think so.

See http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/artifacts.html -
"Artifacts, cave formations (speleothems, stalactites, and stalagmites) and grave-related items that are protected under federal laws, such as The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988, and the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act are not permitted on eBay."

The listing refers to the collection as being "imported", which (if true) would mean the above restriction does not apply. You could always try reporting it, though. eBay can only say no.

It's a nice collection - but I think they'd look better in a cave...

[Lynn]

What a heartbreak to view that display. I wonder if the California Cave Protection Act would be of any use in this instance?

[DavidDoyle]

Well at $395,000 which comes out to be over $1,300 per speciman, I don't think they will get it sold.

[Realms]

looks like a morgue. very very sad :-(

[Realms]

My only hope is that perhapse the cave where these formations came from was meeting a doom of its own through construction or something and the formations were taken for that reason. Still its very sad.

[speloman]

A sight that makes one want to puke. Verry sad

[knotty]

unbelievable!!!! never did I expect to see this here. so much for cave softly

[wendy]

well i am investigating this auction a little and will let you gusy know what I find out.

[paul]

It just shows how things which can have great beauty in nature become dead, ugly things when man interferes.

[NZcaver]

When asked about the origin of the formations, the seller replied -

To be honest we do not know where they are from. We are clearing a freight consolidator's warehouse, these were imported several years ago and had sat in crates since.

FYI - A number of other states have Cave Protection Laws that include clauses like this -

SALE OF SPELEOTHEMS - It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any speleothems in (state) or to transport them for sale outside this state.

Unfortunately, it appears that selling speleothems in California is perfectly legal - unless they were stolen from caves in the US.

Anyway, I agree with David. I highly doubt anyone will part with $395 K for them...

[speloman]

Yea that is a bit much I wouldn't even pay that much for a house!!!! Let alone spend it on Spelothems that I would rather see in a cave. Sadly they are already broken and out of a cave. maybe a school or museum will get them for educational use not just a rock hounder who would probly just put them in a garage.

[hewhocaves]

hmmm... i wonder if there is a chemical test that can be performed on a stalactite to determine the cave it comes from (trace minerals, what not).

he also mentions that you can come by and visit the collection personally. might be a good way to identify him in case anyone saw him near a cave. if the words personna non grata applied to anyone, its him.