Almost 40 years ago I bought (secondhand) a set of 7 records called "Southern Folk Heritage Series" recorded by Alan Lomax and assisted by Shirley Collins. I enjoyed them for about 20 years and then when our little folk club started a record library I "loaned" the set, along with a few other records, so others could also enjoy them. They're field recordings and for anyone who doesn't know the collection, the record titles include "Sounds of the south", "Blue Ridge mountain music", "Roots of the blues", "White spirituals", "American folk songs for children", "Negro church music" and "The blues roll on". It's a great collection tho' I was not playing it any longer - by then I was listening to British trad and I'd absorbed all I needed from them.
What I didn't know was that the library was later added to the record library collection at the Wellington Folk Centre (in New Zealand). Again, I thought they'd be safe enough, and enjoyed by others.
When the Folk Centre eventually closed down and vacated the premises, about 10 years back, everything was sold.... tho' I managed to get most of my records back. Unfortunately one of the set was missing - gone, without trace - even tho' the library had a card system. It had walked!
So if anyone comes across Vol 2, Southern Folk Heritage Series, Blue Ridge Mountain Music, if it has Robyn Williams written in blue biro on the top right corner of the back, I'd really appreciate it back again. A collection isn't complete if Vol 2 is missing!