“I think there is a law which makes employers responsible for their employees actions, isn't there? I'm surprised that an auction house could find itself in such a position; more checks should have been done.

The books should be traced and returned to their legal owner; the buyers could also sue the Co. However I expect that could put them out of business.”

“The question that need asking is how the thief managed to get the books into the auction without having proof of ownership or evidence of provenance. How come the auctioneers didn't pick up on this?

As to the insurance money, this signifies nothing in comparison to the loss of irreplaceable books.”

“Technically, those who bought the books are in recept of stolen goods so have to give them back and could be open to prosecution - the good old 'Buyer Beware'!”

“If the man who stole his books was a 'trusted book expert' the auction house surely wouldn't have had cause to doubt him? Perhaps Sir Evelyn should have checked the man's credentials before hiring him to catalogue his books?”

“I would have expected a specialist auction house to check the legality of what they were selling. If they did this and no concerns were flagged, then they have done nothing wrong and Sir de Rothschild will need to find someone else to blame and sue.”