Sue The T. rex - The Sotheby's Auction - Dinosaur Interplanetary Gazette

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Sue at Sotheby's

The first important and most infamous dinosaur auction. [26KB] The Sue Saga Continues
by Edward Summer

Discovered by Susan Hendrickson (after whom she is nicknamed) near Faith, South Dakota on 12 August 1990, Sue has been the subject or, perhaps, victim of a searing controversy that has resulted in court cases, imprisonment, and passionate paleontological concern. This T. rex fossil has been chronicled in the world press and even in television specials (Nova - The Curse of T. rex) because it is one of the most important and complete fossil skeletons ever discovered. Issues have been raised about the rights and responsibilities of private individuals, the Federal Government, Native American Tribal Law, and scientists in their relationship to the preservation and disposition of nature's paleontological bounty.

Regardless of your opinion about this extraordinary and infuriating situation, the fact remains that Sue is one hot and exciting fossil! If you were in or near New York City, between September 28 and October 4, 1997 you would have had an opportunity to examine her remains up close and in person at Sotheby's Auction Gallery, 1334 York Avenue, New York City. She fell under the gavel at 10:15 am on 4 October 1997 and a lucky -- and rich -- institution carted her off to Chicago, Illinois.

	Visitors to the Gallery where Sue is displayed were greeted by this sign which stands on an easel.
Looking hardly a day over 65 million years old, Sue stared up at you as soon as you entered the room.	Claws were displayed, along with other fragments, in glass cases that ring the room.
Most of the important bones were labelled with a diagram showing their placement in the total skeleton .	Kids could get within inches of Sue's vital parts which are still protected by plaster.

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