Panopeus purpureus
Class Malacostraca, Order Decapoda, Family Carpiliidae
Geological Time: Eocene
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Crab fossil is 55 mm in width by 32 mm in depth
Fossil Site: Lincoln Creek Formation, Porter, Washington
Fossil Code: PFD62
Price: $650.00 - sold
 Description:
Among the world’s best-preserved crab fossils are those occurring
in western Washington state. Generally the crabs quickly fall apart
after death. So for these crabs to be found is so fine a state of
preservation in a rarity. They must have been buried soon after death.
The crabs are found in concretions along the sides of creeks and beds
of local streams. Long painstaking hours of work are required to prepare
them.
This aesthetic, breathtaking Panopeus purpureus is an excellent example. Nine of ten appendages have been at least partially preserved. Note the shiny black color of the legs offset by the light colored, almost translucent carapace. It is fully inflated, well centered and 3D. In March and July of 2008 I had the unique privilege of purchasing
two large lots from a most important collection. The collector had
painstakingly accumulated a superb group of decapods, echinoderms
and other fossils during a twenty-year period. The vast majority
of the specimens came from self-collecting, academic resources,
trading, and selected purchases. Very few of fossils came from the
normal channels of trade shows and commercial internet resources.
Any specimen presented under this introductory paragraph will generally
be a superior grade fossil; be it of rarity, preservation, or, both. |
