Pristine 3D LeGrand Crinoid Rhadocrinites kirbyi
"from the Loudon Collection"

Description: A superb calyx, aesthetically surrounded by two partial stalks, one with it’s holdfast preserved. The aborral cup, arms and pinnules are all exceptionally well preserved. Note that the specimen is fully 3D and the white stalks offset the contrasting brown color of the calyx. This is a very rare species of crinoid. Le Grand crinoids are renowned for the various colors and hues of the individual species.

Background: Recently a portion of the collection of Lowell Loudon was
acquired and prepared with modern air abrasion techniques. Loudon was a contemporary of Dr. Burnice Beane, the academic who first discovered the wonderful fauna of the Le Grand quarry site. This collection dates back to the 1930’s. Only about eighty specimens were acquired. These specimens are quite valuable, as not only do they have historical provenance, but also the quarry itself has been closed to collecting for decades. Fossils from this area are only available when old collections become available. This is a unique opportunity to obtain one of the specimens from the Loudon collection. I obtained a total of eight specimens.

For more detailed background and history please reference these web sites:
http://bcrc.bio.umass.edu/crinoid/
http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/exhibits/flowers_iowa_seas/flowers_page8.htm.