Attention – collection stolen!

[CBH]

I would say it must have had an Inside angle somewhere.

[Rossi]

Heartbreaking and Saddened to see this Wim. Nothing worse than thieves. Eyes open to all of us to watch and keep tabs on what comes to market.

[Anderson]

Shocking news. I would think all collectors would feel a twinge of pain at the thought of something similar happening to our own collections. What Mr Gillain must being feeling? But it is a timely reminder to review security. Would you leave $10,000 on your kitchen table when you when out for dinner? Some collectors don't have their collections at home but in secure anonymous storage facilities. Sure you can't admire items daily, but at least the items are safe.
The other issue is broadcasting you possess a significant collection is also not with out risk, as are visitors to your house who may spot a collection. Hopefully the militaria community will be vigilant and any parts of Mr Gillain's collection that emerge (perhaps on ebay) can be identified.

[Wilhelm Saris]

Thanks guys with your comments and sympathy. I already have
spoken with mr. Gillain and of course I all will pass it on!

I have asked mr. Gillain if he can provide me with photographs.
From most I have photographs in a book, but this book has
250 pages of material, does not have a size for a scanner and
above all is much too heavy. As soon as I know more or will
get photographs I will pass it on.

I have my thoughts about what may have happened myself.
Who knows who is behind all of this, but it is indeed a risk
when you have visitors to see the collection. Who knew there
was nobody at the house in the weekend.
I can tell you one thing: one could not even see a truck when
it is behind the house. The buildings do not give a view to
the house from the road and a truck will not be visible at all.
The house is about 100 meters from the road.

Here a few photos. Believe me, if I would have had photos
I could continue for hours and hours. What I show here is
not even 1% from his collection:

IMG_0088.jpg

IMG_0101.jpg

IMG_4730.jpg

IMG_4748.jpg

IMG_4741.jpg

IMG_4780.jpg

IMG_4783.jpg

pg-7 IMG_5284.JPG

pg-8 IMG_5313.JPG

[Jerry B]

Shocking, so sorry to read this, not my area but that was a truly awesome collection and must have taken so many years and lots of money to collect.

I hope it is found intact and returned to him.

[Kelso]

Terrible news !
I'm living close to Philippe , i shared the information to all my friends and facebook groups. I asked them to contact me in PM if case of they are aware or heard something...

[Wilhelm Saris]

Thanks Kelso. Philippe will appreciate this very much!

I am considering to make a seperate thread with material I ever
got photographed from Philippe. So people know about some of
his collection what disappeared.
There is however a but:
a while ago Philippe started selling material through a friend at
WAF e-stand. I do not know what precisely was sold, but it will
be anyway included in my photographs. Those who did buy
directly from this person Marc V. bought this material anyway
in good faith.

What to do?

[Schwerpunkt]

I will post this on a Belgian (Dutch speaking) forum. Truly horrible.

Can you share with the community if there was an alarm installed and/or camera's , safety doors ?

[Wilhelm Saris]

I will post this on a Belgian (Dutch speaking) forum. Truly horrible.
Can you share with the community if there was an alarm installed and/or camera's , safety doors ?

Thanks. It is appreciated.

About the last I have no idea. I never paid attention to that.
During holidays or whatever absent from mr. Gillain there was
somebody in the house, watching over the house and collection.
That person was gone, just when the theft happened. So, it
is nearby to think it was an inside job!

[Wilhelm Saris]

Tomorrow I will start with a seperate thread with photomaterial
from a photobook from mr. Gillain. The name for the thread
will be: Photos stolen collection Gillain or so!

I will make a sort of short introduction, as it is practically
impossible to show all the 250 pages from the book.

- - ------- - -

I will ask Ade to make the thread(s) sticky!