[posted, with apologies for duplication, to the Maps-L, lismaps, MapHist and
LIBER GdC lists]
Joel Kovarsky, of the International Antiquarian Mapsellers Association
(IAMA) drew attention to the report, on the website of the International
League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB/LILA), of a theft in October 2002
from Kaabers Antikvariat, a rare book and map shop in Copenhagen.
See < http://www.ilab-lila.com/english/internetthieves.htm > for the full
report.
The following passage is perhaps worth quoting:-
"Because old maps and books usually have unique identifying features such as
former
owners' marks, small tears and soil spots, and similar
defects, they can be easily
compared with detailed descriptions found in the computer
data bases of their owners.
Now that the internet makes it possible for reports of stolen
books and maps to be
rapidly circulated to most leading dealers in this material,
it becomes very much harder
than ever before for thieves to successfully sell their
ill-gotten wares.
The ILAB, along with its affiliate members in 20 nations, is
currently notifying its
members of stolen material as it is reported and will soon be
operating a computer data
base of stolen books, maps, and related materials. As well as
items stolen from its
affilitated members, the ILAB hopes that it will become among
the first places that
libraries, institutions, and private collectors report
significant stolen property, and it
hopes to always be instrumental in recovering such property
for its owners."
I hope that any librarians who still favour non-disclosure of information
about thefts will take note!
We await further information about the proposed database of stolen items.
*****************************************
Tony Campbell
76 Ockendon Road
London N1 3NW
[log in to unmask]
Tel: 020 7359 6477
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'Thefts of early maps and books' < http://ihr.sas.ac.uk/maps/thefts.html >
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