Everyone on this list who knew Keith Summers will know know that he
was an assiduous record collector. Also that, in the course of a
short but active life, he built up a large and aesthetically
important collection of records of traditional music.

That collection has been lodged with me for safe keeping.

Unfortunately, in the course of moving the records from their old
home in Southend to their new one on Merseyside, two crate loads of
LPs went missing. The loss represents about 450 records, or roughly
ten per cent of the entire collection.

We cannot be sure what has happened to them, especially as the
removal firm responsible is being totally obstructive and refusing
any form of co-operation whatsoever. However, the most likely
scenario is that they were stolen, whilst in the company's storage,
and probably for sale to a record dealer. To exacerbate the problem,
I cannot make this a police matter as long as the removal firm
refuses to admit that a theft has taken place, or until I can come up
with some independent verification of the same.

I have therefore taken the liberty of installing a list of the
missing items in the files section, which I promise I will remove as
soon as this matter is resolved.

I am appealing to anyone who buys or deals in 2nd hand LPs to keep an
eye open for these records. Should you come across a similar list, I
would be most obliged if you would e-mail me direct at
Fredamhran@... . Please let me have all relevant details. EG.,
where you saw the list or the records, and the name, address and
phone number of the person who had them. In particular, if they turn
up at a record fair, please also note the details of the seller's
stand, and of the fair's proprietors.

I cannot explain how sickened I feel by this loss. However, I can
explain that I am far less concerned with the monetary value of these
records than I am at the fact that Keith's collection has been
desecrated, and that its integrity can no longer be preserved. It was
a register of his life's work and interests; it contained many rare,
important and irreplaceable items; and it would have been a first
class guide for anyone from a future generation, who wanted to know
what we meant by the term traditional music.

Many thanks to anybody who is able to help,

Fred McCormick