May 21st is Mary Anning's birthday. This year marks her 222nd birthday, a lucky number. And since the movie "Ammonite", starring her, was released this spring, I couldn't help but talk about it.

This time, I'll be discussing the Mary Anning movie and books, as well as my memories of Lyme Regis from about 14 years ago (please also refer to Treasure House Vol. 40). And speaking of Anning, it's all about ichthyosaurs, so please allow me to boast about my fairly extensive collection of ichthyosaur figures. Since I can't cover it all in one go, I'll divide it into two parts: living creatures and skeletons. Now, please enjoy the first part.

 

"Ammonite"

 

The protagonist of the 1981 film "The French Lieutenant's Woman" was also reportedly modeled after Mary Anning, but her name was changed, and she didn't excavate fossils. Even though Lyme Regis was the setting, the only fossil that appeared was an ammonite being cleaned by a geologist, who becomes the protagonist's illicit lover, at the beginning of the movie. The famous fossil wall "Black Ven" on the coast also didn't appear, so while it was a critically acclaimed film that won numerous awards, it was disappointing from the perspective of a fossil enthusiast. In contrast, this film is almost satisfying with its excavation scenes on the coast, the interior of a fossil shop, and even an ichthyosaur fossil appearing. Let's overlook complaints like "Why didn't they include a plesiosaur or a Dimorphodon?" or "Cleaning a newly discovered ichthyosaur skull overnight is too much of a lie." This film is not a biography of Mary Anning, nor is it a fossil excavation film; it's a fictional romance. Many of the characters are real people, but their ages and other settings have been changed. For example, Mary, who appears to be about 40, falls in love with the young and beautiful Mrs. Charlotte Murchison, transcending gender and class, but in reality, Charlotte was 11 years older than Mary. In the film's climax, Mary is invited to London by Charlotte (this is a true story), and in a typical scenario of "Which do you choose, me or the ichthyosaur?", she unhesitatingly chooses her love for ichthyosaurs over gender love, much to the satisfaction of paleontological fans. Even Charlotte, in this version, repents, leading to a happy ending. Well, this is my personal interpretation, and I'm sure the true story is much deeper and more moving.

*The actress playing Mary remarkably resembles her in appearance and atmosphere, based on her portraits.

(Image 1) A fossil showdown between the old and new Mary films. Even without featuring an ichthyosaur fossil, "Ammonite" wins for the quality of its ammonite. The ichthyosaur in "Ammonite" also faithfully depicts the fossil Mary unearthed when she was 13, showing no shortcuts were taken. (Photos from the "Ammonite" movie pamphlet)

 

(Image 2) Books about Mary Anning

●"Treasure of the Sea"

By Helen Bush / Translated by Kimie Sawaden (Nupun Children's Books, Kokoro no Jido Bungaku-kan Series, 1977)

The story of young Mary until she finds the ichthyosaur.

●"The Girl Who Found Fossils - The Story of Mary Anning"

By Catherine Brighton / Translated by Aiko Sena

(Hyronsha, Children's Library Picture Book Room, 2001)

An Anning book after about a quarter-century. The episode of her finding the ichthyosaur is depicted with beautiful illustrations.

●"In Search of the World of Dinosaurs - The Romance and Ambition of Scholars Surrounding Fossils"

By Deborah Cadbury / Translated by Shinichi Kitashiro (Mumeisha, 2001)

The story of four dinosaur hunters who were involved in dinosaur excavation in early 19th century Britain: Mary Anning, William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, and Richard Owen.

●"The Adventures of Mary Anning - The Female Fossil Hunter Who Pioneered Paleontology"

Co-authored by Soji Yoshikawa and Michiko Yajima (Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc., 2003)

This one book tells you everything about Mary Anning and the people around her! An essential read.

●"People Who Chased Dinosaurs - Fossil Researchers Who Paved the Way for Darwin"

By Christopher McGowan / Translated by Yokichi Takayanagi (Kokon Shoin, 2004)

This also tells the story of 19th-century fossil researchers. One chapter is dedicated to Mary Anning, and another chapter is about the people who gathered for the 200th anniversary of Anning's birth and newly discovered ichthyosaurs.

●"Memory of Fossils - Tracing the History of Paleontology"

By Michiko Yajima (University of Tokyo Press, 2008)

A unique book by the author of "The Adventures of Mary Anning," which traces the history of paleontology from the 19th century back to BCE. Mary Anning only appears briefly in the main text, but her magnificent figure is prominently featured on the cover.

●"Treasures of the Seashore"

By Helen Bush / Translated by Mao Torimi (Asunaro Shobo, 2012)

The second translated edition since 1977. This one is enjoyable with many illustrations of fossils.

●"Mary Anning"

By Ryo Kitakami / Supervised by Michiko Yajima (Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd., Comic Version World Biographies, 2018)

Even though it's a comic, it's very detailed and informative. Fossils are also accurately depicted. Furthermore, the資料 pages at the end are extensive.

 

*And this June 24th, a new Mary Anning picture book, "Dinosaur Lady," will be released.https://www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784907108762

 

 

Nostalgic Lyme Regis

 

Please enjoy photos of Lyme Regis (recently called Lyme Regis, as in the "Ammonite" pamphlet) that I couldn't include in Treasure House Vol. 40.

(Image 3) Main street leading to the sea

I just noticed this now, but the same buildings as in "The French Lieutenant's Woman" are pictured. Given that CGI technology wasn't available to manipulate landscapes back then, I wonder if they decorated the actual buildings. "Ammonite" also features old townscapes, but I won't know if they're the same until I check the video. Of course, this one is probably CGI-processed.

(Image 4) Lyme Regis Museum

Its official name is the Lyme Regis Philpot Museum. It was built to commemorate the three Philpot sisters, who were Mary's benefactors and older friends ("The Adventures of Mary Anning" even introduces the Philpot sisters' upbringing). The youngest sister, Elizabeth, also appears in "Ammonite" in a significant role.

 

It's a small museum, but it's full of ichthyosaurs and Mary Anning. Below is the "Mary ruler," the only museum-original merchandise at the time, which was also featured in Vol. 40. Even looking at the current museum shop online, there aren't many notable items.https://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/

*The Scelidosaurus in New Treasure House Vol. 21 might also be from this museum.

(Image 5) Coastal scenery

Mary's sacred excavation site, "Black Ven." The tide is out. And when you look at your feet, you can see ammonites, but they're out of reach. So...

(Image 6) These are what I brought home

Fossils found from easily broken fallen rocks at the base of the cliff. The fish was a lucky find. I have no idea what kind of fish or which part it is.

(Image 7) A reproduction poster purchased at the museum.

This painting, titled "Duria Antiquior or Ancient Dorsetshire," was created in 1830 by Mary's childhood friend and geologist, De la Beche, based on fossils Mary discovered. It is said that he made prints and sold them to aid the impoverished Mary. The title means "Ancient Dorset," but what "Duria" refers to is unclear even with translation software. This painting is famous and is used on the cover of "Scenes of Deep Time: Early Pictorial Representations of the Prehistoric World" (Shinpyoron, 2009), which collects and explains 19th-century paleontological art.

 

Now, let's introduce the ichthyosaur figures. Ichthyosaurs were known earlier than mosasaurs and were considered the kings of sea monsters in the 19th century, but now they are overshadowed by plesiosaurs and marine lizards. Is it perhaps due to their lack of visual impact, often mistaken for dolphins? In the 19th century, before dorsal fins were known, ichthyosaurs certainly looked ferocious.

 

When dinosaur figures started appearing in the 1950s and 60s, there were hardly any ichthyosaur figures. There were only one or two small collectible figures.

Most of the figures introduced here are from 2000 onwards. In recent years, ichthyosaurs other than Ichthyosaurus have also been made into figures, and their numbers have increased, but they are still lagging behind mosasaurs, which also lack variation in appearance. Even the Jurassic Park series of action figures, which includes everything from movies to unrelated synapsids, does not feature ichthyosaurs. It's a shame, but thanks to this, my ichthyosaur collection is almost complete.

 

Now, let's introduce the older items from the 70s and 80s.

(Image 8) On the left is an early Kaiyodo garage kit from the late 80s. It was part of the collection series sculpted by Kazunari Araki, a set of two for about 1000 yen. Although small, about 10 cm, they are wonderfully made. The base was reused from somewhere else. (Treasure House Vol. 61)

Top right is the British Museum of Natural History (1986 - Treasure House Vol. 41). Below are items from Starlux of France (Treasure House Vol. 6, New Treasure House Vol. 8) and the Royal Ontario Museum, all from the 70s.

The Ontario Museum's item is unusually a Stenopterygius.

The others are Ichthyosaurus. Though their appearances are indistinguishable.

(Image 9) Diverse ichthyosaurs from 2000 onwards

From the top left, Shonisaurus

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%8B%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

Made by Schleich in 2004. A cherished item purchased at a museum in Dublin. (Treasure House Vol. 24)

The two below it are Safari Ichthyosaurs from 2009 and 2020.

The right column, from the top, is Ophthalmosaurushttps://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AA%E3%83%95%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AB%E3%83%A2%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

(Walking with Dinosaurs 2000 - New Treasure House Vol. 8)

Ichthyosaurus

(Brieland, labeled as Leptopterygius, but details are unknown)

The two below are from CollectA: Excalibosaurushttps://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A8%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AA%E3%83%9C%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

(2017)

Temnodontosaurushttps://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E3%83%8E%E3%83%89%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

(2015).

 

(Image 10) On the left are small figures. From the top, an ichthyosaur that came in a Safari tube.

Shonisaurus and Mixosaurus from Play Vision (New Hihōkan Vol.8) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9F%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

Temnodontosaurus from CollectA mini set

The bottom left is a soft vinyl figure from Clover's 1/40 Dinosaur Series, made in Japan (Hihōkan Vol.38). The right is a "MADE IN CHINA" item sold by Imperial Toy in the US and Canada. Both are from the 80s.

 

The right ones are candy toys and gacha.

The black one is an Ichthyosaurus from Bandai's "Dinosaur Diorama Collection". Below it is an Ophthalmosaurus from Kabaya's "Dino World". The two on the right are from Kaiyodo, "Capsule Q Museum Dinosaur Excavation History" and "Choco Zaurus". And the bottom left is the original Choco Egg, Australia's "Yowie". Next to it is the original candy toy, the oldest one here, which was a freebie with "SHREDDIES" cereal in the UK in the 50s. (New Hihōkan Vol.8)

(Image 11) Recent Chinese Ichthyosaurs

An Ophthalmosaurus measuring 48cm, and a rare Eurhinosaurus https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A6%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

A small Ophthalmosaurus and a Himalaysaurus, which I hadn't known about https://dic.pixiv.net/a/%E3%83%92%E3%83%9E%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A4%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9

These are products from PNSO, who are doing great work these days.

Below is an Ophthalmosaurus from the manufacturer REQUR. It's more like a toy, but the proportions are not bad.

(Image 12) Other Ichthyosaurs

On the left is a Shonisaurus that stands out in the plush toy series "Animals of the World from the Cambrian Period," which mainly collects Paleozoic creatures, and an Ophthalmosaurus plush from "BBC Walking with Dinosaurs." The top right might be a dolphin because it lacks hind flippers, but its tail fin is vertical and its face doesn't look like a dolphin at all. It's a wooden carving probably made in Southeast Asia. The two below it are from a series of small, approximately 2cm metal dinosaurs that look like they were sold at old-fashioned candy stores in the Showa era. The one on the right had so many burrs that its shape was hard to discern, but after removing the burrs from the one on the left in the picture, it turned out to be a splendid ichthyosaur, as you can see.

 

This concludes the living creatures section of the ichthyosaur figures. Next time will be the skeleton section, featuring models and replicas. We will also look back at the "Utatsu Ichthyosaur Museum" which was lost in the earthquake 10 years ago.

 

＊While researching for this article, I came across this blog: http://dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=389.0

An American collector is showing off their ichthyosaur figures. There are a few items I don't have, but overall... I think I won. I couldn't help but smile.