International Art Treasures Web Magazine

April 2006  

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What is the point?

Thanks to the quick thinking of a photo lab staff the three items stolen from the Bata Shoe Museum have been returned to the museum. The museum and the Toronto Police published the images of the three stolen items: a pair of shoes belonging to an Indian Prince, a gold toe ring and an anklet.

Images of the items that had been stolen were discovered in film that was to be developed. Recognizing the items the photo shop owner and two staff members managed to delay the fellow who came in to claim the prints and snapped his photograph and then called the police.

While this story has a somewhat happy and certainly bemusing ending the act of theft does change the security requirements necessary and the subsequent costs. That naturally is passed on to the art visitors who have chosen to spend their time enjoying the art works. That is unfortunate. Yet if anything, this story demonstrates that art crime really doesn't pay. The works were simply too well known to be sold.