Posted By:
ErikV
Ben and all,
First of all as a fellow vintage card collector, I grieve with you in the loss of your collection. As most of us will agree, our collections are more and mean more than just a bunch of cardboard. It's both many years of work and a labor of love. To have your hard earned money and work taken away like that pains us all.
In a recent post the statement was made "the cops will be of marginal help." The loss of your collection and this statement reminded me of a true story, of which I was a part of. You may find some hope while reading it.
About 15 years ago I went to my local card shop and saw some very attractive 1953 TOPPS cards for sale. I quickly scooped up the Satchel Paige, Bob Feller and Monte Irvin paying around $300.00 for these cards. Within a week I received a phone call from the Sheriff's Department inquiring about these cards. I was told that they were taken in a residential burglary and I was unknowingly in possession of stolen property (a felony here in the state of California.) I was told to bring them into the police station, to which I did. Later, I went back to the shop where I had bought the cards and spoke with the owner. Apparently the kid who sold the cards to the shop had broken into his neighbors house after learning about the dad's card collection. In the end, the cards were returned to their rightful owner and the kid was prosecuted. Wishing you well and for the same happy ending.
Keep the faith Ben!
Erik V.