Silver Spoons: A Tarnished Reputation?

I was in bed, propped up by pillows, flip-flopping my Venetian blinds on a dull, grey day when there was a commotion in the hallway and a thundering knock at my door. “Lauren, ya in there?”

Alice! “This ought to be good,” I thought. I hobbled to the door and let her in. “Hi!” She said as she shoved past me into the kitchen with a Tupperware container wedged in her armpit. “How are ya?”

“Oh, I’ve been better. This hip-”

She cut me off with a compassionate nod. “Heard ‘bout that. Haven’t ate yet have ya?” I shook my head no. “Thought ya could use some soup.” She had already located my pot and emptied into it the contents of her Tupperware - chicken stock by the looks of it, with rice and a hearty mix of colourful veggies. As it warmed on the stove she regaled me with laundry room gossip and then ladled the soup into a bowl. When I reached for the condiments and strained with the effort she scooped up the peppershaker and generously peppered my soup.

“Thank you, Alice.”

“Anything else?”

“Only a sterling tureen could have topped this Alice.” I tittered in spite of myself. From the look on her face I gathered the joke could use some explanation. “My old Auntie Beryl used to say that food always tasted better when it was served in sterling silver.”

“Little too rich for me!” Alice said. She slid her bum down off the counter and joined me at the table. “But you could try askin’ O-----.”

O-----? Here we go. “The superintendent?” I had no idea he appreciated fine silver.

She nodded with eyes wide. “Word’s goin’ round – he’s been swipin’ spoons - silver spoons – has been since forever. Keep an eye on him.”

Now, I’d be a fool to believe everything Alice tells me. For the time being I’d prefer to grant my super the benefit of doubt. My neighbour’s garrulous nature has landed her in hot water on more than one occasion, though in this instance she has stirred up a critical issue. According to this article from the Museum Security Network, thieves don’t always go after high-value goods. Often the risk is lower and the resale value is greater when they steal a lower quality or less remarkable piece.

Apart from Judo lessons and spy cameras I can offer no real advice on protecting your collection from home invasions and targeted theft. That’s not my area of expertise.

But (here’s an awful thought) should you someday become a victim of property crime there are steps you can take today to facilitate the recovery process. Most importantly, keep a detailed catalogue of your antique collection and be sure to include photographs. In the future I’ll have to put together an article about catalogue techniques, so stay tuned for that. Until then, here’s a rundown of crime prevention tactics from the Metropolitan Police Service and two full lists of stolen fine art and antiques to watch out for: one from the United Kingdom, and another (at the bottom of the page) from the New York-area.