Sale
17517 - Natural History featuring the Tyrannosaurus rex 'Samson' at The Venetian®, 3 Oct 2009
Las Vegas
Lot No: 23W
The T. rex known as Samson - One of the Most Complete Tyrannosaurus rex Specimens in Existence
Tyrannosaurus rex
Late Cretaceous
Harding County, South Dakota
The rare 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex known as "Samson" is one of the three most complete examples of its species to have been discovered. Excavated from a private ranch near Buffalo, South Dakota over 15 years ago "Samson" has journeyed to NASA for CAT scans of the skull, the Carnegie Museum for the preparation of the skull and to a New Jersey laboratory where she was professionally mounted for display.
In life, "Samson" measured approximately forty feet in length and could have looked into a second story window. Her massive skull and powerful serrated teeth could have bitten through the leg bone of any contemporary dinosaur. Most likely a very skilled hunter with binocular color vision and an extremely sensitive sense of smell, this colossus, like others adults of her species, lived as an apex predator of the Late Cretaceous Period.
The scientific preparation of "Samson's" skull was completed by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. "Samson's" skull is regarded as one of the finest and most complete T. rex skulls in existence. The skeleton contains approximately 170 bones, more than 55% of the total bone count of an entire skeleton.
Of further interest are pathologies (evidence of healed injury or disease) of the skull and portions of the skeleton which provide a time capsule for the study of life during the Late Cretaceous Period. In life, "Samson" was equal in weight to "Sue," the T. rex skeleton currently displayed at the Field Museum in Chicago; her large size is one indication that "Samson" is a female, despite her male moniker. Her skeleton is beautifully prepared and mounted utilizing the most modern techniques, which allow for new discoveries and enhanced aesthetic qualities.
"Samson's" skull has been mounted separately from the skeleton on a custom steel base which also displays 22 teeth which were found apart from the skull.
Numerous related and ancillary materials, including associated flora and fauna from the excavation site, accompany the skeleton.
Measures 39 feet in length.
Estimate Upon Request.
Footnote:
Important Notices to All Prospective Bidders and Buyers
Notice Regarding Removal of the "Samson" Lot:
The purchaser of Lot 23 will be responsible for the timely disassembly and removal of the lot from the Las Vegas event site at its risk and expense. Please refer to the department for specific requirements.
Notice Regarding Certain Rights in the "Samson" Lot:
The purchaser of Lot 23 will acquire full ownership rights in the skull and in the other original fossilized bones comprising the "Samson" specimen, as well as in the cast of "Samson's" skull included in the lot, including all rights to make reproductions of and other copyrights in "Samson's" original fossilized bones.
With respect to the cast reproduction elements incorporated into the specimen (excluding the cast of "Samson's" skull described above), which cast reproduction elements are hereinafter referred to as the "Cast Elements", the purchaser of Lot 23 will acquire ownership rights in such Cast Elements and a fully paid up, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable license to publicly display such Cast Elements as part of the "Samson" specimen as well as photographic and resale rights therein; however, the purchaser (and any successor) is not acquiring the right to, and may not, recast (reproduce) the Cast Elements or otherwise create derivative works of the Cast Elements in whole or in part, as such rights are reserved by the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, Inc. Cast Elements Copyright (c) BHIGR 1995-2005. All rights reserved.
Contact the Specialist to discuss this lot or selling in a future sale
Email: Thomas Heitkamp
Tel: 323-436-5437
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