Largest Marston Magna Marble Ammonite Fossil.

A very special fossil indeed, a genuine piece of Marston Ammonite marble. From the collection of J.W Kerkveld, sold off at auction some 4 years ago. I was lucky enough to be at that auction but as fate would have it, traffic was awful and I only got there in time to bid on the last fossil lot of the day. "1 box containing Ammonites" was the description.

Unfortunately the entire collection had been split into over 40 separate groups of fossils but this was the only box containing Ammonites. The story of the Marston Magna marble is really something of a legend amongst fossil collectors world wide, mainly due to the fact that the exact location of the find has been lost to history...

Legend has it that a large slab of this charcoal grey stone was found within the confines of the church graveyard when they were digging a well and that it was found at 74ft depth making it hard to find. Although not actually looking for stone (they were after the water) they soon found a use for it making decorative headstones for the graveyard and a few table tops.

If you take a look around the British Museum of Natural History, you will see they have only one marker stone left.

All the other headstones have been removed from the churchyard over the years by thieves, and as I have already said its down so deep anyhow that collecting is impossible so replacement of the stone is out of the question.

THIS IS THE LARGEST PIECE IN EXISTENCE, measuring a huge 25.5" x 19.5" x 1.25". The piece was bought by us as an uncut, part prepared slab, and has been fully prepared by us, taking over 300 hours to complete. There has been no repair to this piece whatsoever. The slab has been cut and ground with a perfectly flat back, allowing for wall mounting. It exhibits stunning detailing of thousands of Promicroceras marstonensis, Asteroceras smithii and Xiphoceras sp. Ammonties. Beautifully intricate black, brown and golden Calcite replacement of the Ammonite chambers and suture lines, with original white shells still visible.

The range of small Ammonites in such abundance supports the view that this fossil is a result of a mass mortality due to an Algal bloom in a breeding ground. This is truly a one-off piece of exceptional quality and desirability. A stable, attractive and extremely significant piece - one of the most prolific mass mortality fossils ever to have been discovered in the UK. Worthy of the worlds finest collections.

A very special fossil indeed, a genuine piece of Marston Ammonite marble. From the collection of J.W Kerkveld, sold off at auction some 4 years ago. I was lucky enough to be at that auction but as fate would have it, traffic was awful and I only got there in time to bid on the last fossil lot of the day. "1 box containing Ammonites" was the description.

Unfortunately the entire collection had been split into over 40 separate groups of fossils but this was the only box containing Ammonites. The story of the Marston Magna marble is really something of a legend amongst fossil collectors world wide, mainly due to the fact that the exact location of the find has been lost to history...

Legend has it that a large slab of this charcoal grey stone was found within the confines of the church graveyard when they were digging a well and that it was found at 74ft depth making it hard to find. Although not actually looking for stone (they were after the water) they soon found a use for it making decorative headstones for the graveyard and a few table tops.

If you take a look around the British Museum of Natural History, you will see they have only one small marker stone left.

All the other headstones have been removed from the churchyard over the years by thieves, and as I have already said its down so deep anyhow that collecting is impossible so replacement of the stone is out of the question.

This piece measures a huge 22" x 17" x 3.5", (approx. 2 feet by 1 1/2 feet) weighing over 25kg. The piece was bought by us as an uncut, part prepared slab, and has been fully prepared by us. There has been no repair to this piece whatsoever. It exhibits stunning detailing of over 1500 Promicroceras marstonensis, Asteroceras smithii and Xiphoceras sp. Ammonties. Beautifully intricate black, brown and golden Calcite replacement of the Ammonite chambers and suture lines, with original white shells still visible. The golden Calcite veins have been exposed proud for additional aesthetic depth.

The range of small Ammonites in such abundance supports the view that this fossil is a result of a mass mortality due to an Algal bloom in a breeding ground. This is truly a one-off piece of exceptional quality and desirability. A stable, attractive and extremely significant piece - one of the most prolific mass mortality fossils ever to have been discovered in the UK. Worthy of the worlds finest collections.

Paradoxides Trilobite Fossil.

A rare and very large Cambrian period multi plate from Morocco. 8 high quality specimens on a single plate, with many other partials and imprints on a good solid matrix with superb displayable geometry, measuring a whopping 54" x 38" x 3" (Approx. 4 and a half feet by 3 feet).

A very significant piece, over 500,000,000 years old. Excellent fossil-matrix contrast makes for a truly knockout display piece. Superb preservation and definition of these stunning fossils.

This multi plate is an entirely natural mortality assemblage and prepared as found and is not to be confused with the majority of Paradoxides "multi plates". The matrix is a single piece with no repair whatsoever.

For more information on this piece, and specific overseas shipping costs, please do not hesistate to contact us via email: support@fossilfarm.co.uk, or Tel: (+44) 01424 428999.

A fossil skull of Mosasaur, Platecarpus sp. dating from the late Cretaceous period, Morocco. This piece has been prepared to reveal a remarkable level of detail and preservation. The original matrix has been plaster backed for rigidity. The skull is complete, with several cervical vertebrae. Extremely aesthetically recognisable, with excellent bone and teeth exposure. Skulls of this quality are exceptionally rare. Due to their completeness, they can be removed from their matrix for 3-dimensional preparation.

This piece measures 55" x 25" x 5.5" (approximately four and a half feet, by two feet across). A skull of this size equates to an approximate Mosasaur total length of 15 feet. 100% genuine and authentic specimen with only original teeth and bone as discovered and no replacements. A stunning, rare and scientifically significant fossil.There has been NO reconstruction or augmentation to this piece whatsoever.

As you may be aware, the vast majority of Mosasaur fossils are composite reconstructions, often using modern bone for jaws and assorted teeth, set in an entirely manufactured "matrix". Inspection of real examples like this one show the difference in bone structure and texture between the genuine, and their dusty mass-produced impostors! The photos are of the actual item for sale, and are not generic catalogue shots! The skull will be securely packaged in a strong wooden crate for worldwide shipping.

Fossil Ichthyosaur sp. from the Jurassic shale of Holzmaden, Germany. This exceptional and highly sought after fossil measures 33" x 19" (just under three feet, by one and a half feet). Superb preservation and clearly visible bone structure on all bones on this wonderful piece. A good displayable size and matrix. Excellent detailling, intricacy and relief of bones from matrix, down to the smallest vertebrae and paddle bones. A famous fossil from this world renowned location... not something that comes up very often on ebay! Meticulously prepared to the absolute highest standard.

Ichthyosaurs were not dinosaurs, but represent a separate group of marine vertebrates. Because ichthyosaurs were so specialized and modified for life in the ocean, we don't really know which group of vertebrates were their closest relatives. They might have been an offshoot of the diapsids — the great vertebrate group that includes the dinosaurs and birds, the pterosaurs, the lizards and snakes, and many other vertebrates. On the other hand, some have suggested that the ichthyosaurs were descended from a distant relative of the turtles.

The first ichthyosaurs appeared in the Triassic. In the Jurassic, ichthyosaurs reached their highest diversity, and then began to decline. The last ichthyosaurs disappeared in the Cretaceous — several million years before the last dinosaurs died out. Whatever caused the extinction of the dinosaurs did not cause the ichthyosaurs to die out.

A very detailed Scyphocrinus elegans Crinoid multi plate fossil from Morocco (Silurian period), measuring a whopping 40" x 37.5" x 1.25" (just over 3 feet square). Very solid and stable. The specimens exhibit superb preservation throughout, and have excellent definition of fossil from matrix. Beautiful colouring, which is a nice change from the greyscales of many of the Chinese specimens.

A stunning display piece and one of the finest I have seen, with over a dozen highly detailed heads. Specimens of this quality have now become extremely difficult to obtain due to the exhaustion of the Djebel Issoumour beds.

Crinoids are part of a large group of marine invertebrate animals called echinoderms. Other echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Crinoids are unusual looking animals because they resemble plants more than animals. Crinoids are more commonly known as "Sea Lillies", a colloquial nomenclature which relates to their flower-like appearance. Please click on the detailed images for closer views.

A very detailed Scyphocrinus elegans Crinoid multi plate fossil from Morocco (Silurian period), measuring a very large 41" x 31" x 3". Very solid and stable. The specimens exhibit superb preservation throughout, and have excellent definition of fossil from matrix. Beautiful colouring, which is a nice change from the greyscales of many of the Chinese specimens.

A stunning display piece and one of the finest I have seen, easily the best on ebay, with over a dozen highly detailed heads. Specimens of this quality have now become extremely difficult to obtain due to the exhaustion of the Djebel Issoumour beds.

Crinoids are part of a large group of marine invertebrate animals called echinoderms. Other echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Crinoids are unusual looking animals because they resemble plants more than animals. Crinoids are more commonly known as "Sea Lillies", a colloquial nomenclature which relates to their flower-like appearance. Please click on the detailed images for closer views.

A very detailed Scyphocrinus elegans Crinoid multi plate fossil from Morocco (Silurian period), measuring a whopping 40" x 26" x 2" (just over 3 feet by 2 feet). Very solid and stable. The specimens exhibit superb preservation throughout, and have excellent definition of fossil from matrix. Beautiful colouring, which is a nice change from the greyscales of many of the Chinese specimens.

A stunning display piece and one of the finest I have seen, with over half a dozen highly detailed heads. Specimens of this quality have now become extremely difficult to obtain due to the exhaustion of the Djebel Issoumour beds.

Crinoids are part of a large group of marine invertebrate animals called echinoderms. Other echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Crinoids are unusual looking animals because they resemble plants more than animals. Crinoids are more commonly known as "Sea Lillies", a colloquial nomenclature which relates to their flower-like appearance. Please click on the detailed images for closer views.

Ichthyosaur Bone Block Fossil

This exceptional and highly sought after fossil measures 11.5" x 8" x 3". Excellent preservation and clearly visible bone structure on all bones on this wonderful piece. A good displayable piece matrix, with stand included.

Excellent detailling and intricacy. From Watchet, Somerset, England. A famous piece from this world renowned location, not something that comes up very often! Meticulously prepared without chemicals, to the absolute highest standard.

Ichthyosaurs were not dinosaurs, but represent a separate group of marine vertebrates. Because ichthyosaurs were so specialized and modified for life in the ocean, we don't really know which group of vertebrates were their closest relatives.

They might have been an offshoot of the diapsids — the great vertebrate group that includes the dinosaurs and birds, the pterosaurs, the lizards and snakes, and many other vertebrates. On the other hand, some have suggested that the ichthyosaurs were descended from a distant relative of the turtles.

The first ichthyosaurs appeared in the Triassic. In the Jurassic, ichthyosaurs reached their highest diversity, and then began to decline. The last ichthyosaurs disappeared in the Cretaceous — several million years before the last dinosaurs died out. Whatever caused the extinction of the dinosaurs did not cause the ichthyosaurs to die out.

An Asteroceras sp. from the Jurassic coast of Dorset, England. This type of Ammonite has coarse ribbing with a ridge running the length of the flattened keel. This 3-dimensional specimen exhibits great detail - the inner whorls are wonderfully defined.

The fossil has terrific coloration - the Calcite/Aragonite replacement contrasts superbly with the grey matrix. Prepped here at the fossil farm to a very high standard.

An extremely displayable specimen and one of the largest Asteroceras Ammonites I have had, a quick search on eBay will reveal just a couple for sale and to be honest they are very small and although nice not nearly as eye popping as this one is. This is the real McCoy, and from the famous Black Ven formation Dorset.

Go and have a look elsewhere on the web and check out the prices for these large ammonites, I will bet you will not find one as big at this price and at this quality. Measuring a whopping 9" across on a superb sculpted matrix of original stone measuring together approximately 15" x 14" x 3.5". All in all a very substantial piece at a give away price.

An Asteroceras sp. from the Jurassic coast of Dorset, England. This type of ammonite has coarse ribbing with a ridge running the length of the flattened keel. This 3-dimensional specimen exhibits great detail - the inner whorls are wonderfully defined. The fossil has terrific coloration - the golden yellow calcite/aragonite replacement contrasts superbly with the grey matrix.

The ammonite is beautifully presented on the matrix, which also gives home to a Promicroceras. This is an extremely displayable specimen of Asteroceras. Prepped here at The Fossil Farm, hand polished for a natural high gloss finish with no lacquers or varnish. The result is a wonderfully tactile and importantly, extremely stable display piece.

The Ammonite measures just over 6" across on an original, painstakingly sculpted Blue Lias (sea)flatstone measuring 17.5" x 17" x 4.5".

This is one of the nicest Asti's I have had in a while, a quick search on eBay will reveal just a couple for sale and to be honest they are very small and although nice not nearly as eye popping as this one is.

This is the real McCoy, and from the famous Black Ven formation Dorset.. Go and have a look elsewhere on the web and check out the prices for these large ammonites, I will bet you will not find one as big at this price and at this quality.

Please click on the detailed image for a closer view.

An exceptionally rare fossil Lepidotes mantelli skull from the Wealden clay (Hastings beds) at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Dated recently to 138,000,000 years old (Lower Cretaceous). These fossils are not found very often at all. This one was featured in the local newspaper because of its size and preservation. The deposits in which these are found in have produced over the years a small number of good examples. However, the local Geology Society has remarked that this is the finest ever found. The skull measures 11" x 8". Both inner and outer eye plates, intact teeth and stunning preservation of the ganoid scales.

A wonderful piece, prepared here at The Fossil Farm. This piece was found as three pieces, and has been sympathetically restored, with no reconstruction of any parts. Always saught after by collectors of Mesozoic fish fossils. You are welcome to view at our shop in Hastings for a greater appreciation of the intricacy and sheer quality of this piece - the photos really don't do it justice.

A Paracoroniceras lyra from Lyme, on the Jurassic coast, Dorset, England. One of the largest Ammonites from the UK, this 3-dimensional specimen exhibits great detail - the inner whorls are wonderfully and naturally defined, with terrific coloration. Prepped here at the Fossil Farm to a very high standard.

A very rare find in this condition with intact centre. An extremely displayable specimen and one of the finest example of this species I have had. Go and have a look elsewhere on the web and check out the prices for these large Ammonites, I will bet you will not find one as big at this price and at this quality. Measuring a whopping 16.5" across. All in all a very substantial piece at a give away price.

A superb fossil Cyclurus kehreri from Messel, near Frankfurt, Germany, on a matrix of 20" x 11.5". Beautiful red colouring and spectacular preservation of fins, rays and all vertebra and scales.

No restoration to this piece - one of the finest specimens of its sort anywhere, for any money. At over 16 inches long, this is one of the largest Messel fish you are going to find.Cyclurus fossils from this region are without doubt one of the most beautiful fossil fish in the world and are extremely rare. Yet they represent very good value for money - a similar specimen of this quality from the Green River formation would cost over five times as much!

This one is from an old collection, prepared using traditional methods, and the quality is just exquisite.

100% genuine, and NOT a composite of fragments from different locations, just remounted as is necessary for all Pentacrinites fossils.

As always, you are welcome to come and view the fossil at our shop...the photos here do not fully convey the quality of this piece! Please note: The fossil will be securely attached to a solid board and well packaged for worldwide shipping.

Crinoids are part of a large group of marine invertebrate animals called echinoderms. Other echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Crinoids are unusual looking animals because they resemble plants more than animals. Crinoids are more commonly known as "Sea Lillies", a colloquial nomenclature which relates to their flower-like appearance.