This specimen from the late John Page collection, is a fine example of what are thought to be primitive chordates with affinities to the echiderms and are very strange creatures indeed. This particular specimen from the world famous starfish bed of Girvan shows fine detail throughout. The actual name of this specimen came from the scientific researcher 'Bather' who studied extensively the fossils of this location. A rare and fine specimen for the collector.
The fossil record seldom preserves soft bodied animals only in extreme circumstances does fossilisation occur. This is an ancient jellyfish which is preserved on carboniferous limestone. Only rarely do specimens come up for sale and this one came from an old collection. A very sought after and interesting early life specimen.
Preserved in a split piece of slate are fragments of this highly sought after and extremely rare "Delabole Butterfly". The quarrying at this Cornish village has been going on for over 1000 years and the slate has been used as roofing tiles throughout this time. The workmen used to split these slates by hand and only occasionally came across these elusive and very rare Brachiopod shells. As far as we are aware, this is the first time that this particular fossil has been available for sale. An all time British classic !
This is probably the first time that one of these specimens has been offered for sale. The "Delabole Butterfly" is an all time classic which was collected from the Delabole slate from the world famous Delabole quarry. Quarrying at this Cornwall village has been in existence for over 1000 years and only occasionally when the quarrymen split these slates are these specimens found. The quarrymen call them "Butterflys" as they resemble them but we now know that they are Brachiopods. The specimen is preserved as a split pair and only the connoisseur amongst collectors will appreciate how rare this fossil is.
