Collecting for Keeps

Collecting is not for the faint of heart. In recent years, the news has brimmed with stories about unsuspecting private collectors and museums having to turn over items from their collections to individuals claiming that the art had been stolen or looted. The highly publicized plunder of the National Museum of Iraq is only the latest incident to draw attention to looting and theft at a time when original owners are increasing efforts to track down and reclaim lost artwork.