Shell collecting comes naturally to most Floridians. The state is
blessed with an abundance of strikingly beautiful specimens that are
all too easily accessible and available to those who visit any of
its hundreds of miles of white sandy beaches. Most people are casual
collectors; they are usually satisfied with acquiring a few uncommon
shells that end up on coffee tables or in glass containers on desks
or tables.
Wayne Harland, on the other hand, is a man possessed; not only
with shells but also with shell books. He is a native of the
District of Columbia and holds a degree in Computer Science from the
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He and his wife, Donna, are avid
scuba divers and have travelled all over the world indulging their
respective hobbies of shell collecting and underwater photography.
In a relatively short period of time, the Harlands have amassed a
collection of antiquarian seashell books few individuals are able to
consult and view outside of the rare book libraries of museums and
research institutions. The oldest volume in the collection dates
from 1684, but the real focus is on 18th and 19th century titles
containing hand-colored plates.
The Bienes Center is pleased to have the opportunity to exhibit
these rare and exquisite books and shells. Thanks and appreciation
are extended to Wayne Harland for all of the hard work involved in
selecting the exhibited titles and for his advice on proper shell
installation techniques and equipment. Special thanks also go to
Margaret Bing for her help in researching and mounting the
exhibition and to Earl Chesler for his helpful suggestions and
comments.
James A. Findlay
Bienes Center for the Literary Arts