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1984 marks Fossil Realm's humble beginnings. At the time, Jim Lovisek and his wife Liz Komisar had founded the Toronto Nature Centre, a science camp that developed a thriving fossil and mineral gift shop. The camp was a dream come true for the two passionate educators who met while working at the Royal Ontario Museum (Jim was a research associate in the Ichthyology and Herpetology department and Liz was the museum's media relations director). During its 16-year run, the Toronto Nature Centre engaged hundreds of young naturalists though hands-on workshops and adventurous field trips. The camp's gift shop eventually blossomed into a full-time store on Avenue Road, in mid-town Toronto. Soon after its opening, it became a magnet for science enthusiasts and fossil collectors across Ontario. 

Liz Komisat at the Royal Ontario Museum. Photo: Miss Chetalaine (1978)

Liz Komisar (left) is Fossil Realm's acquisitions specialist, co-founder of the Toronto Nature Centre and former media relations director at the Royal Ontario Museum. Photo Credit: Miss Chatelaine (1978).

Campers from the Toronto Nature Centre explore a local wetland

Toronto Nature Centre campers explore a local wetland. The camp introduced youths to the natural sciences through ambitious field trips and engaging classroom projects. 

Carrying on the spirit of his parents’ company, Peter Lovisek founded Fossil Realm in 2002. At the time, he saw an opportunity to reach collectors around the world through online platforms, like eBay. After a decade of success on eBay, he launched FossilRealm.com (2012). Over the next five years, the company dived into e-commerce, opened a showroom in Toronto and exhibited hundreds of impressive specimens at trade shows across Ontario.

Peter Lovisek in Bancroft Ontario, managing the Fossil Realm booth

Peter Lovisek exhibiting at the Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree (2013). In the early years of the company, many specimens were displayed at trade shows across Ontario.

Fossil Realm Showroom

Inside the Fossil Realm showroom in Toronto, Ontario (2015). Located in a 2000 square-foot warehouse, it was open to the public several times a year from 2012 to 2017.

As business grew, it became apparent that clients would be better served if the company operated exclusively online. This model enabled Fossil Realm to focus more energy on acquisitions and offer high end pieces at competitive prices. 

Jim and Peter Lovisek with Sclerocephalus

Jim Lovisek (left) and Peter Lovisek (right) pose with a large Sclerocephalus amphibian skeleton, now exhibited at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum in Barcelona, Spain.

Fossil Realm is now a highly esteemed online gallery. To date, the company has sold numerous significant natural history specimens to a broad range of clientele: major museums, celebrities, distinguished private collectors, and serious investors. Highlights include "Willard" - the largest Triceratops skeleton on record, a complete Jurassic crocodile over 13 feet long, rare Lunar and Martian meteorites and many other astonishing pieces.

Peter Lovisek has become a well-known member of the trade and sought after consultant. He regularly advises clients looking to build natural history collections of significance. In 2023, Peter appraised a private fossil collection comprised of over one thousand specimens - one of the largest of its kind in the United States. He is always open to discussing projects centred on his category expertise. 

Fossil Realm Gallery Director, Peter Lovisek poses with Camarasaurus skeleton at the Aathal Dinosaur Museum.

Peter Lovisek poses with "E.T." - a famous Camarasaurus skeleton on disaplay at the Aathal Dinosaur Museum near Zurich, Switzerland.  

 Willard - the world's largest triceratops skeleton on record

"Willard" is the world's largest Triceratops skeleton on record and among the most extraordinary items sold by Fossil Realm.

 

fossil crocodile sold bby fossil realm

Jurassic crocodile, 13.45’ long. Sourced and sold by Fossil Realm, it's among the finest specimens of Steneosaurus bollensis ever found.