Dear Mr. Redden:

It is my understanding that Sotheby's will be handling the upcoming auction of the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton which we call SUE^TM. It is also my understanding that Sotheby's intends to "dislodge the bones from the stony matrix" (New York Times article, 16 November, 1996) before the auction next spring. As you probably know, this specimen was discovered, excavated, and partially prepared by the staff of the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, Inc.

Let me begin by telling you that, as the scientist once responsible for the curation and study of this wonderful specimen, I am very concerned for its well being and its future curation and study. SUE^TM has already yielded secrets that have changed forever the way we perceive this extinct monster. But believe me, we've only seen the beginnings of what we could conceivably learn from her.

Many of these secrets are nearly inextricably tied to the matrix exclosing SUE's ^TM bones. Scientists worldwide would agree that the matrix, the fossils enclosed in the matrix, and the positions of those bones, are all vital to our understanding of taphonomy, osteology, anatomy, pathologies, associations, and, believe it or not, behavior. To complicate matters further, the bones themselves, although extremely well preserved, are permeated with minute fractures and coated in most instances with extremely hard iron oxide with is tenaciously bonded to the bones. Finally, the bones are also permineralized with the mineral pyrite (iron sulfide), which almost assuredly has become destabilized as a result of the conditions in which she was stored. This destabilization generates sulfuric acid, which is -- even now in all likelihood -- working on the dissolution of these bones.

All of this together means that any preparation, even the opening of the plaster jackets, must proceed with extreme caution, and with the permission of the eventual owner. This and more intense work should only be performed by the finest of preparators, under the supervision of a scientist who knows Tyrannosaurus rex backwards and forwards. This, I must stress, is the only way to preserve the scientific information and wonderful secrets this specimen holds. I might also add that it is the only way to preserve its potential monetary value. It will be impossible to prepare this specimen quickly and still preserve scientific secrets and monetary value. Complete preparation will take years, with a staff of ten people or more. Our staff has already put in over $200,000 into the preparation of this fossil. It may take more than $1,000,000 to complete this project. Shortcuts cannot be taken.

However, there is another alternative that may suit your needs, I understand that it will be necessary to inspect and open various boxes and plaster jackets. It also will be absolutely necessary to perform maintenance and stabilization for SUE^TM to recover from the effects of four and one-half long years of storage, and transportation salvation of this wonderful fossil. We will do whatever is necessary to keep this important specimen intact. Our crew is intimately familiar with this specimen and would do the best curation job of anyone on the planet.

We would help ready it for sale in the Spring, stabilize it, and make it visible for prospective buyers. In my opinion, this is the safest route for Sotheby's to follow, and it allows the crucial, long-term approach to curation and research to remain in the hands of the eventual owner.

As you undoubtedly know, it is our boundless desire to purchase SUE^TM for exhibition in our museum. It may take a miracle for this to happen, but we are moving heaven and earth to bring this to fruition. I must tell you, however, that we will no longer be interested in this fossil if her bones are "dislodge(d)...from the stony matrix." I venture to guess that other important scientific institutions would share my opinion.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via post or facsimile with any questions you might have about the salvation of this fossil; the fastest method of communication is via facsimile to my office, which is then forwarded to me. As you probably are aware, I am currently serving a hotly contested term in prison, and I have great faith that my innocence will be affirmed in my current appeal, the decision of which I anxiously await. My direct address:

Peter L. Larson 07030-073
SD 213 Federal Prison Camp
Box 5000
Florence, CO 81226

Reprinted with permission of the author.

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