Lessons learned-(copied from memorabilia side)

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by danski496

Hi - My name is Dan Sczechowski and I've been a regular viewer and buyer on the B/S/T section for awhile now. I reside in Douglassville, PA. I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right spot or not. I wanted to let everybody know that either the week prior to the SuperBowl or on SuperBowl weekend (maybe earlier than that) over $25k of sports cards were stolen out of my house. The main reason I'm posting this thread is to provide a couple of lessons learned over this loss. I didn't have pictures of my sports cards, the cards stolen were a four column box of very valuable cards. There were Mickey Mantle's cards that I was putting together from 1958-1969 (every base card with the exception of 1962), many Mays, Musial, Campanella, Clemente, etc. cards from the 50's-70's. I immediately contacted the police and put in a report, solicited my neighbors, handed out fliers, contacted local auction houses and am still checking ebay, craigslist and this website on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure they're gone forever.

I did not have pictures of my cards, my insurance company would not cover the loss because their was no proof that I owned the cards. The value of the cards were $25-50K with a sell value of $12-15K based on condition, etc.

Ensure you take pictures of all your cards and memorabilia or if you are already insuring your collection make sure the insurance company really knows what you have.

Secure your collectibles.

Install security alarms or cameras, I didn't have any...but do now.

I should have posted this sooner but am a pretty private individual. If somebody attempts to sell you a collection with 10-20 cards of each hall of famer that played in the 50's-70's please keep me in mind.

I am a Christian and am a forgiving person, I'll leave the individual go and let them answer to the man some day if they would bring them back. Honestly, I would not even prosecute if they were given back. I would prosecute if I found them at an auction house or some other avenue though. If you have any information, or have seen a collection like this, or somebody has offered them to you, please let me know. I know others have collections like this. But, each of us know what we have and I know I would know if they were mine or not just by seeing them, they were collected for the past 20 years or so with my hard earned money. My fingerprints would be all over the box and card holders, etc.

There were also a lot of autographs taken as well, I collect autographs ttm...

God Bless,
Dan

Dan,
That's a horrible story and I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

Thanks for the advice. As collectors, hearing about things like this are very sobering and appreciated by all on net54....

I hope that you get lucky and somebody catches these crooks!

[johnmh71]

Dan:

That is that worst nightmare of anyone on this site outside of their collection getting destroyed. I am sorry to read about your loss and I hope you get the cards back.

I would focus on local card shops and maybe even pawn shops as well. Whoever took them is probably going to look to unload them quick and those are the quickest avenues.

[canjond]

Dan- sorry to hear about the theft. I also understand trying to balance your privacy with also getting the word out. One thing that may be helpful is to post a complete list, or at least some of the key cards (maybe any identifying marks/condition if you remember) for the whole board. There are a ton of members here and surprisingly, our collective memories are pretty good. You never know if someone might see one of the cards you post/describe. It may lead nowhere if the cards are generic, but you never know.

[Jay Wolt]

Dan, that stinks!
Send me your address via a PM and I'll send out some cards & autographs your way....jay

[travrosty]

Dan, a couple of questions if not too personal.

Did they take anything else or just go right for the cards?

Do you think they were strangers or people who might have been in the house before and knew where to go?

Do you think the cards were the main target or they were just going for anything of value and stumbled across them?

Sorry to hear you got ripped off, and I hope they get caught.

ins. companies usually require special ins. for collectibles and collections, with at least a list of what you have and sometimes they will come and appraise it. But clear pictures and complete inventory is the best way to go.

There are also special ins. companies outside of homeowner ins. companies that insure collections.