AAPS History

The “Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences”, formerly the “American Association of Paleontological Suppliers” was established to create an organization for commercial fossil and mineral collectors, preparators and dealers.

In February 1977, a group of fossil dealers attending the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show met at the Marriot Hotel (now the Radisson City Center), in downtown Tucson, to discuss the formation of this group. Meeting attendees included Peter Larson, Neal Larson, Gerald Berry, Bob Harris, Allen Graffham and Hugh Rose.

After much discussion, the American Association of Paleontological Suppliers (the AAPS) was born.

Initially, the main purpose of this association was the promotion of ethical collecting practices and to help setup cooperative liaisons with researchers, instructors and curators in the academic and museum paleontological community. This new organization was to also serve as a united voice for the fossil industry.

It was at this initial meeting that the AAPS Code of Ethics and the AAPS Constitution were born. These two important documents were drafted over the course of the following year after many consultations between members. Allen Graffham of Geological Enterprises was elected as the first president of this newly formed organization. Bob Harris was elected Vice President, and James A. Honert was elected as secretary/treasurer.

Founding Members (1978)

• Black Hills Minerals, now Black Hills Institute of Geological Research – Pete Larson, Neal Larson, James Honert; Rapid City, SD
• Geological Enterprises – Allen Graffham, Ardmore, OK
• Geoscience Enterprises – Bob Howell, Roachdale, IN
• Maloney’s Fossils – Tom and Hilda Maloney, Willows, CA
• Melloy’s Fossils – George Melloy, Bethlehem, PA
• Tetla – Gerald Berry,; El Paso, TX
• The Bug House – Bob Harris, Delta, UT
• Ward’s Natural Science Establishment – Steve Bryson, Rochester, NY
• AAPS was the original idea of Hugh Rose, who later became an honorary member

The AAPS met for its second annual meeting, again at the Tucson show, in February, 1978. At this time prospective new members had to be nominated by a current member and then elected by a majority of the membership. All new members were brought in that way until 1997 when membership was opened up to any fossil or mineral business. There were still methods in place to remove members if they did not comply with the AAPS Code of Ethics however. Associate and Honorary Members were allowed as early as 1980. Annual dues were originally $50 and stayed that way until the late 1990’s when they were reduced to $10.

In 1979, most of the fossil enterprises that attended the Tucson show were brought together by George Topham who organized the first fossil show at the Sheraton Pueblo. At this time, several new members were added, including Leon Theisen, Warfield Fossils and Tom Johnson. Throughout the 1980’s, the organization continued to grow and add more members, mostly those associated with the Fossil Show at the Pueblo.

By the early 1990’s there were more than 60 member businesses and several Associate members of the AAPS. In 1989 the fossil show moved from the Pueblo to the Ramada Inn on North Oracle with Marty Zinn Productions. The Ramada changed its name several times ultimately becoming the Vagabond Inn back in 2003. In 2005 the fossil show moved to the Inn Suites Hotel (which became the Hotel Tucson City Center) as well as the new Ramada Inn (now the Days Inn) along St. Mary’s Road.

The IAPS (International Association of Paleontological Suppliers) was created in the early 1990’s to help foreign businesses organize and become aware of legislation regarding the proper import and export of fossils from many different countries. The first president of this organization was Kirby Siber of Siber & Siber from Aathol, Switzerland. The IAPS adopted the code of ethics of the AAPS, and used the AAPS constitution as a guideline for their constitution.

It became apparent that AAPS should do more with their funds than to use them to only fight government legislation, so in 1990 the James Welch Scholarship was created. This was AAPS first scholarship and was named for the long-time member, and founder of Montana Geological Materials, from Billings, Montana. Jim died of a heart attack while collecting fossils at Glass Mountain, in the Permian of Texas in 1988. This scholarship is awarded to graduate level students studying and working on macro invertebrate fossils.

In 1992 AAPS added a scholarship for vertebrate paleontology students and the Charles Sternberg Scholarship was born. A major requirement of acceptance of this scholarship is that the applicant must be active in field research and collecting. The funds awarded are to be primarily used for the collection and preparation of macro, vertebrate fossils. From 1990 until 1995 the AAPS board worked quite closely with the Paleo Society to choose the recipients and award scholarships.

By 2002 it was determined that AAPS should incorporate under a more International name, since we had many members from other countries. At the Denver show in September, the name of the organization was changed to the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences (AAPS). This new organization was composed of the former “American Association of Paleontological Suppliers” (AAPS) and the “International Association of Paleontological Suppliers” (IAPS).

In 2003, the Charles H. Sternberg Medal was created by the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences (AAPS) to honor very special members and non-members who have given a large portion of their life to paleontology. This is the highest honor that our organization can bestow on any person, whether they are an AAPS member or not.

The A. Allen Graffham Research Grant was created in 2006 and funded by Geological Enterprises. AAPS now offers this research grant annually to any scientist, researcher, or student in paleontology, that will publish on specimens collected by, or in collaboration with, AAPS members.

The René M Vandervelde Research Grant was created in 2007, with its first recipient in 2008. This grant was funded by Korite International and Canada Fossils Ltd. and named after their founder RM Vandervelde. It is available to qualified researchers working on marine paleontology, geology, or stratigraphy of the Late Cretaceous Pierre and Bearpaw Shales of North America.

During 2010, the AAPS created a grant in the name of Dan Rigel, a longtime member and supporter of the AAPS, who ran Caveman Lapidary along with his wife, Hope. When Hope passed away in 2020, the name of the Grant was changed to Dan and Hope Rigel Educational Grant. It is available to high school teachers or high school educators to promote the education of their students in geology and paleontology. The minimum grant is $250.00. and is funded primarily by Applegate Lapidary.

The AAPS created the William H. Mason III Preparators’ Grant during 2020, to assist both fossil and meteorite technicians to preserve and stabilize specimens destined for museum displays or research collections.

The David Kronen Casting and Molding Grant is a $1,000 grant created by AAPS to support the casting, molding, and/or 3D scanning and printing of commercially collected paleontological specimens. It is available to any interested party working on a commercially collected specimen, with the condition that replicas of the specimen be used to further public education and/or research. It was named after long time AAPS member and board member David Kronen who was the founder of Bone Clones in California.

The Gary R. Olson Paleontology Educator Classroom Materials Grant was created in honor of a longtime AAPS member who passed away unexpectedly in 2023. Gary was a highly skilled and very popular field paleontologist and paleontology educator. He inspired countless young people to pursue science through his fieldwork and educational public programs. This grant is available to public, private, and charter school educators to purchase paleontology-related materials for their classrooms. 

The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences is always changing and evolving. The AAPS is the voice of the modern commercial fossil and mineral world. The AAPS is always looking for new ways to support commercial paleontology and the commercial mineral world. The AAPS is always looking for new members and new board members. If you, or someone you know, is willing to support our organization with a financial gift or the gift of your time and knowledge, please consider reaching out to the board of directors and joining this proud organization.

1-Two year terms initiated for officers during the summer of 1994.
2-There was no election in the year 2000.
3-Two consecutive two-year limits for any office adopted September 12, 2002.
4-Position created 2015.