Yard sales, thrift shops and the like as sources

For those searching for specimens for your collections, don't rule out thrift shops and yard sales. Do a fast drive by and see if there is anything of interest. Poke your nose into second hand stores, especially ones run by guys that do estate cleanouts. Do a Google search in your area and look for junk removal, home cleanouts, etc. Call these people and leave your name and phone number. Tell them what you are interested in. A lot of these guys sell the stuff they come up with as salvage in small shops of their own. Wandered into one today and just mentioned that I was always looking for old skulls, hunting trophies, animal hides, claws and the like. Guy says he has something he doesn't know what to do with and maybe I would be interested. Drags this out of the back room. Needless to say it came home with me. Very unexpected but a welcome surprise.

 

Gwendolyn, not sure where Sanford is but if it is a high end neighborhood look outside that area. Around here, even though it is a resort area in many places, dead stuff is creepy and relegated to the back rooms where no one will see it and be offended.

 

Haven't got a good look at the pelvis yet to try and guess. It is in three pieces. Can't say I'm any good at determining from the skull structure. Small containers contain what looks like feet and hands combined. I don't know what's missing but I don't think it's complete. From the 1940 era so I think it might be from India.

 

Less than $200 and I think it's worth more than that. Even if it isn't articulated and bits might be missing. Box smells really strong of mildew but I would like to save it. Thinking of giving the bones a light scrub with some Dawn to remove surface dirt and oils from years of handling. They have a nice aged patina and I don't want to use peroxide and have it whiten them. The sutures in the top of the skull are different. Not tight and solid. Might be from a younger individual and not an adult. If anyone is good at guessing, I can take some detailed pictures.