Private Seashells Collection in Istanbul

Abstract

Besides National and University collections, private collections are very important for scientists. This paper deals with the seashells collection of the "CAN GEYRAN Seashells Center". The "CAN GEYRAN Seashells Center" houses more than 10,000 seashells, complete with data, collected by self-collection, trade, exchange or donations over approximately 50 years. The Center has a 450 m² exhibition area where approximately 320 seashells are exhibited along with some handcrafts, objects indicating the relationship between humans and shells. The center has also a library with more than 1800 publications mainly about the seashells of Turkish seas.