At Auction: Mummy’s Hand, Mars Rock

A California-based auction house, I.M. Chait, has flagged us to what it labels an "Important Natural History Auction" this weekend in Beverly Hills and New York. Along with various pieces of black opal and feldspar, they list: –"An Extremely Rare Tyrannosaurid Skull – This is the first prepped and mounted example of a Tyrannosaurus skull ever available at auction. Approximately 67 million years old, recovered in Asia and in pristine condition (estimate $140,000 – $180,000)." It is not a T. rex, they explain, but a cousin, Tyrannosaurus bataar. –"An authentic Egyptian mummy’s hand."  The listing says, "Although it is unquestionably authentic, its provenance can only be traced to an antique dealer from New Jersey." –"A superb slice of a Martian meteorite." Discovered in Libya, they say, in 1998, and verified by "the Max Plank Institute in Germany." (Note: it’s usually spelled "Planck," with a "c.") You’re welcome to bid, if you have the money.  Or, if you’re so inclined, you may wonder how these things escaped from their natural habitats onto the auction block. The main part of the answer, of course, is finders-keepers.  There are researchers, though, who grit their teeth (not fossilized) when these things happen.
(Pictures courtesy I.M. Chait Gallery.)