This is the preview post #7 for the 2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show Live Auction.  The ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show for 2026 will be held on March 21th and 22nd at the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL, which is the same location as last year.   All details can be found here.

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We have something a little different for today’s preview… a fossil squid from the Cretaceous. This animal, Paleoctopus newbolti, was found in the Late Cretaceous Period deposits of Lebanon. It’s not as famous as other lagerstatten, but the Lebanese lagerstatten has very finely preserved plants and animals with soft tissue preservation.

Paleoctopus newbolt is mostly soft tissue and this fossil is amazing! Come out an see it at the show March 21th and 22nd, 2026!