important Trilobite ("Dudley Bug") (Silurian - classic locale)

Item Description

Calymene blumenbachi from Wren's Nest, England is from one of the most famous trilobite localities in the world. This Silurian-aged arthropod ((422.5-427.5 million years ago) was nicknamed the Dudley Bug or Dudley Locust by 18th century quarrymen. From the abstract of LEGACY OF THE LOCUST -DUDLEY AND ITS FAMOUS TRILOBITE CALYMENE BLUMENBACHII: "Discovered during the mid-1700s, this was the first trilobite known from numerous complete and well-preserved fossils anywhere in the world." The first descriptive paper was written in 1771! A sharp and well-preserved 5.3 cm fossil is prominently displayed on the limestone matrix. A classic and excellent trilobite. valued $1500 or more, I am told - this came to us in the collection of longtime mineral collector Richard Hauck, and he had kept it as a British novelty.