LOS ANGELES, CA.- On December 5, Bonhams will offer a robust selection of dinosauria, fossils, meteorites, and mineral specimens in its comprehensive Natural History auction in Los Angeles. Arguably the most coveted of natural history categories by collectors, dinosauria will be strongly represented, along with fascinating fresh-to-market fossils from around the world. With estimates ranging from $200 to $250,000, the sale is curated to appeal to both new and seasoned collectors.

Dinosauria lots include a mounted Camptosaurus dispar (estimate: $250,000-300,000) skeleton, one of the most complete specimens of its kind. Discovered in 1996 at the Bone Cabin Quarry (a site that the American Museum of Natural History discovered in 1897 and excavated until 1903), the twelve-foot example is referenced in Othniel Charles Marsh’s Dinosaurs Historical Update and was recently exhibited in the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah.

Another remarkable lot is a spectacular mounted adult Triceratops skull boasting preservation of the braincase and all three original horns. The adult Triceratops prorsus (estimate: $125,000-150,000) was excavated on a North Dakota ranch in 1999 but remained in plaster field jackets for seventeen years until laboratory preparation began in 2016.

Additional highlights range from several lots of Tyrannosaurid teeth (estimates range from $1,500-18,000), to an immense thigh/leg/foot from a sauropod, one of the most massive dinosaurs among the behemoths of their time. The huge specimen, measuring eleven feet, attests to the incredible size of these Jurassic giants (estimate: $35,000-45,000).

One of the many fascinating fossils being offered in the sale is a newly-discovered example of one the largest known articulated fossilized frigate birds in North America. Unearthed in the summer of 2016, the fossil has been meticulously prepared to reveal marvelous feathers measuring up to five inches, as well as the beautifully preserved bones of the skeleton (estimate: $125,000-165,000). The presentation within the stone matrix in which the fossil was discovered is reminiscent of a sea bird’s graceful landing.

Highlights offered from the Lord David Anthony Jacobs Estate include one of the most complete fossil alligators ever discovered (estimate: $25,000-35,000), and a selection of visually stunning ammonites from many world localities.

Twenty-three lots of meteorites will also be up for sale, including an exceptional 26.5-pound zoomorphic (elephant-shaped) specimen from Henbury (estimate: $25,000-50,000), and a wonderful Muonionalista meteorite end slice weighing 135 pounds on a custom base (estimate: $100,000-150,000).

The Natural History sale will preview at Bonhams Los Angeles December 1-4 and the auction will be held December 5 at 10:00 a.m. PST.