In a message dated 8/13/99 1:57:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

> To believe that only three guys in the world have worked the grave robber
to
>  riches scheme seems a bit far. The Times says the phenom of graveyard art
>  thefts is a growing problem, one can only assume if it is growing there is
>  likelihood of competition. Grave robbers coming across each other's
>  operations in the night with a requisite giving of blood associated with
the
>  establishment of exclusive territory.

I saw an article on the theft of  graveyard statuary in 'Garden Design'
magazine a couple of months ago. I doubt it's a lucrative as stealing
Tiffany, but there is more of it around, and can be fenced in the US. It's
attractive because many of  the cemeteries with really good work are the
older sites that are neglected, with little or no visitors. It's an open
invitation to steal.

I guess, in the long tradition of grave-robbing, this is a minor point in
history, but still... Yeesh.

-Heidi

-Heidi