Hello--it does seem that the problem with the thefts mentioned is more a
lack of supervision and poor management than one of excessive information.
It also seems to me that if full information about a museum's holdings
were easily available the victimized museum would be able to provide
enough details about the lost objects to seriously crimp resale efforts by
the thieves.
        Is there any proof to the long-cited claim that museum holdings
are often stolen to order?  Any cases that can be cited?

        Adrienne DeAngelis
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