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RARE COMPLETE ERYMA LOBSTER (CRAYFISH) ON LARGE SLAB OF SOLNHOFEN LITHOGRAPHIC LIMESTONE Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation - Zandt, Germany UPPER JURASSIC PERIOD (MALM): 154 - 144 million years ago WARNING: We have noticed an increasing occurrence of heavily restored and fabricated examples in the marketplace of various types of German lithographic limestone fossils, and crustacean fossils especially from all world sites. Similar to the horrid abundance of "fossils" from Lebanon where the entire animal is completely painted including fine outlines of the legs, body and antennae, crustacean fossils from Germany occur in the market where they are also painted with the utmost skill and detail. In many cases, the rock is carved prior to painting to further give the appearance of a "fossil". This is done with paintbrushes that are just a few bristles thick and the skilled craftspeople that make these "fossils" are able to recreate the finest detail that continues to fool most buyers of shrimp and other crustacean fossils. If the price seems too good to be true, then that should be the first and foremost 'red flag'. The highest grade GENUINE fossils are rare and have high worldwide intrinsic value. There are no 'bargains'. While fossils from this region can exhibit the finest possible preservation of any site in the world, they are extremely rare and occur with less frequency compared to most other fossil-bearing formations. The GENUINE presence of minute, finely detailed body parts DRAMATICALLY affects the price! Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation of southern Germany is legendary. In light of the quality of fossils that are found in the Solnhofen Formation, this is a supreme example of the oldest true lobster, Eryma modestiformis. Quite frankly, it is highly probable that you have never encountered such an extraordinary specimen as this before. The detail is so remarkable that the fine granular features of the creature's carapace can be readily seen in the close-up images above. The preserved anatomy and features you see above are what put a fossil like this in the stratosphere for rarity. COMPLETELY NATURAL fossilized carapace is fully intact and perfectly preserved akin to an X-ray! There is no distortion whatsoever to any of the body segments, or appendages. Delicate tail is perfectly fanned out - RARE! This ex-museum collection specimen is 100% GENUINE AND NATURAL with no enhancement, fabrication or painting of any kind! This must be emphasized as the majority of crustacean fossils on lithographic limestone from both Germany and Lebanon ARE artificially enhanced in some way. This often occurs by painting on fine detail of appendages and antennae at the least all the way to painting an entire animal where one did not exist. This is unfortunately the norm with these fossils and numerous websites and Ebay auctions feature these artificial fossils being sold as 'genuine'. At the time of this writing, we conducted a simple search on Ebay for 'shrimp fossils'. The results showed 13 auctions. Only ONE of the miserable thirteen auctions was a GENUINE specimen. If you examine the images above and of the other crustacean fossils we offer in this section and compare the REAL detail of our specimens with what is offered in the Ebay auctions, for instance, you will easily see what we are talking about with the painted fakes. In browsing numerous other commercial fossil websites, you will also recognize the obvious characteristics that the painting presents as is seen in the majority of the Ebay auctions. This is usually seen as a dark pencil-like outline of a lighter color body part. Real crustacean fossils that are natural will appear as an X-ray. FAKE specimens will look like extravagant and detailed dark outlined pictures of what the animal would look like when alive. Simply put - they just look painted once you see the difference and compare to the above (or other genuine specimens). Again, the low price of the fake is a FRACTION of what a real specimen such as this, and should be another obvious sign. Quarry owners all over the world that produce these kinds of fossils are not stupid and all know the value of genuine, fine grade specimens and charge accordingly. The dramatic affect faking and enhancement has to the price of the fossil cannot be overstated. Despite Eryma not being a particularly rare species that is found in the Solnhofen Formation, a specimen of this caliber with such detail and perfect preservation is EXCEEDINGLY RARE and in no way can be compared to any specimen that has been enhanced or faked in the slightest manner! Eryma modestiformis is an extinct member of the diverse group of arthropods called DECAPODA. Decapods comprise lobster, shrimp, prawns and crabs. The majority of Solnhofen crustaceans are decapods. Of all Solnhofen decapod fossils, shrimp such as Aeger, are the most common and abundant. Eryma is not a shrimp but is classified as a lobster and is the oldest true lobster. Lobster, shrimp and prawns all possess an elongated, segmented body with a flexible carapace covering the thorax and head. Other basic traits are the presence of multiple pairs of limbs and a fan-like tail. Because of the lightness and loose articulation of a decapod's carapace, intact preservation of the entire creature is quite rare and the abundance of the animal in the fossil layers is most often represented by partial or poorly preserved specimens. Perfect, natural color and detail. Whether displayed in an advanced private or a large public museum collection, this specimen will undoubtedly be an important and highly regarded example by all that experience it. EX-MUSEUM COLLECTION - 100% NATURAL - NO ENHANCEMENTS! 3" x 2.9" overall with matrix, creature is 1.25" long SOLD CR2-003 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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