The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76303 Message #1350542
Posted By: Desert Dancer
07-Dec-04 - 10:31 PM
Thread Name: UK: stolen blues record collection
Subject: UK: stolen blues record collection
From the Musical Traditions web site (I thought this might reach some more UK blues enthusiasts here):
Keith Summers' missing LPs When Keith Summers died at the end of March this year, Peta Webb was given the unenviable task of dealing with his estate. A particular concern was with regard his large and precious record collection - for which Peta has no room in her small flat. Fortunately, MT Co-Editor Fred McCormick has some space in his house, so he was given the task of looking after the collection.
During the course of the removal from Essex to Merseyside, the removals firm which Peta and Fred employed managed to 'lose' two crates of blues LPs ... and then to deny that they had done so. Fortunately, Keith had been meticulous in his collecting, and had all the records' details entered in a database, so it was very easy to prove that some records (some 400 records actually) had not been delivered to Fred's house, and to give the precise details of what they were. Since they were blues records, they have a real and readily disposable value, so it appears very likely that they have been stolen rather than simply lost in transit. Unfortunately, since the removals company will not admit to a theft - or even a loss - Fred cannot go to the Police about the case without some proof of criminality.
This is where you come in; those readers who collect blues and similar records, or who frequent second-hand record stores, websites, fairs, etc, are asked to read Fred's appeal in Recent Letters and to print out the list of 'missing' LPs accessible by an link there, and keep an eye open for any of them in your travels. If you do come across anything suspicious-looking, please contact Fred with the details he asks for. If nothing else, it may enable him to bring the thieves to justice, and to sue the removals firm - who are being completely obstructive of this matter.
Please do all you can to help bring this sickening affair to a rather happier conclusion that is presently the case.