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Subscribe to RSSOSLO -- A Norwegian art gallery lost a Rembrandt etching worth up to $8,600 in the mail after trying to save money on courier and insurance costs, the gallery's chief said Thursday.
The Soli Brug Gallery in Greaaker, about 50 miles south of Oslo, purchased a copy of Rembrandt's "Lieven Willemsz, van Coppenol, Writing-Master" made in around 1658, from a British dealer -- only to have it lost in the Norwegian postal system.
"Using a courier or special insurance is quite expensive so we have used regular mail until now," Ole Derje, the gallery's chairman said. "It is worth around 40,000 to 50,000 crowns ($6,900-$8,600) and the postal service is offering us compensation of 500-1,000 crowns."
Derje said his gallery, which is displaying works by Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Munch and Dali, received notice to pick up the package but when he went to collect it, it was nowhere to be found.
Derje declined to name the seller, citing confidentiality concerns.
"We are sorry that this has happened; we have advised him to use a more appropriate form of mail when sending items that are worth as much as this with the appropriate insurance connected," said Hilde Ebeltoft-Skaugrud, a spokesman for the postal service.
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Shouldn't the first sentence read, "Norwegian Postal Service loses etching ...?"
No, because they know they gave it away - and they feel it's worth 750 clowns.
Happens more than people realize. The post office, no matter what state or country, is the worst managed business and their workers just don't care. Italy's customs is far worse. I've had many merchandise that never makes it through their customs so I have refused service there.
Got no sympathy, that would be like me shipping a 1958 Gibson Les Paul through UPS/FedEx.
We just had a moron from the FedEx leave some $1500 worth of goods in our air compressor shed on Friday afternoon without telling anyone. It took 2 weeks to find it (it was found by our maintenance guy) and by that time most of the goods were ruined. So it is not just PO service being unreliable. And how about the UPS guys playing soccer with the parcels about to be delivered?
cheetah-822547 QUOTE - "No, because they know they gave it away - and they feel it's worth 750 clowns."
I believe that the buyer was from Norway, not China as you indicated.
Just as a fun fact, the Hope Diamond was mailed via the US Postal Service to the Smithsonian. However, unlike this item, it was registered and insured.
An item this valuable and trying to save money on shipping?
Where is the common sense? Hope it is eventually found.
Evidently they didn't possess your talent for hindsight.
Benjamin Franklin said it best, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. No hindsight required as even back hundreds of years ago it was common sense. How often people get into troubles taking shortcuts in so many areas of life.
Realizing the risks inherent to sending such valuable items unprotected is foresight, not hindsight. It's a fundamental difference often lost on those lacking awareness.
Foresight would have prevented your boy Romney from committing the unethical business practices, tax dodging and lack of human decency he displayed towards the middle class.
Hindsight is finally realizing the damage your previous actions will have on your desire to be elected President.
Evidently Sam Adams does possess talent for hindsight because he so shrewdly detected it in another. I prefer Boston Lager from SAM.
How dumb can you be? i work in diamonds and i can honestly tell you shipping and insurance is not that expensive. probably wouldve cost about $100 (if that) or $300 (if overseas).
Lost? So sure about that?
yea its lost. lost in the hands of a guy who goes thru the mail from a art gallery looking for art. it'll turn up in a few years after its been sold to some colombian drug dealer in bogota.
I have heard of stupid things but I think this tops all of the ones I have heard but there are a lot of stupid companies out there.
Let me guess, they labeled the package "Fragile-Valuable Work of Art"
Unfortunate and seems foolish in hindsight. Hope it's recovered but am doubtful.
Yea! Lost my butt! Some postal employee has it !
Must be why you're so randy.
wonder how long it will take before it shows up on ebay.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Go door to door and check the "employees". Maybe it's in behind a stack of junk mail. Maybe it's on the wall of Anders Breivik's cell. You just never know about these things. And just a thought, who in their right mind would use a postal service to deliver something as valuable ? ? ? I think Forrest is right on that.
So, basically you're saying that every employee that potentially had access to the parcel should have their homes turned upside down to find a scrap of paper? And all of this effort because some greedy and ignorant businessman tried to maximize his profits?
What are you, a Tea Party supporter? Or some other brand of Federalist Nazi?
In 1958, the Hope Diamond was mailed to the Smithsonian using the US Postal Service for a couple of bucks worth of postage.
At least Harry Winston had the good sense to insure that parcel for 1 million dollars, costing an additional $140.
In the U.S. we can use the U.S. postal system to send registered insured mail which can be covered against loss up to $25,000. It is very safe.
I used to work in the "registry cage" at the post office. At each point, there is a document to be signed stating that the item is accounted for. This way, the last person to sign is responsible. For small items, they put them in a pouch with a special lock, and only the registry clerk has the key. The key in locked in a safe at night...
I would not hesitate to send valuable items by Registered Mail in the US Postal Service. Things are occasionally stolen in transit (usually when in the custody of contracted transport companies), but it is overall a very safe method.
When moving, it is a good idea to send your most valuable, irreplaceable items by Registered Mail instead of carrying them with you cross-country. Address them to yourself and only you can sign for them. They will remain in a Postal safe until you arrive (contact the receiving Postmaster and request they hold it at the office - do not attempt delivery on address.) At the new place, rent your new bank safety deposit drawer first, then go to the P.O. to pick up the items. Carry them directly to the bank and lock them up - if extremely valuable, arrange for the local police to escort you from P.O. to bank, as they would for business deposits. Many businesses have armored security companies pick up their Registered Mail and deliver to them (cash, negotiable bonds, valuable contracts, etc.)
They probably have the same service (registered mail and insurance) with the Norwegian postal system, but this cheapskate just sent it the cheapest way possible.
Oh Ole what have you done, ya sure you betcha!
Penny wise and Crown foolish!
Post a picture of the Rembrant's etching, then start looking on
Craig's List oopsOlaf's List.You can afford an $8600 etching and you can't afford FedEx??? '
If somebody sticks a gun in this guy's face and says, "Your money or your life", he's gonna be stuck for an answer.
What a moron would send something as rare as this in the mail without insurance, tracking etc. I believe it could be a hoax to collect insurance. In one year I will probably watch postal wars whereby people bid to purchase items recovered from post offices around the world sight unseen with someone paying $69 for this painting.
Would this idiot like to buy a stick figure picture from me. This dickhead does not deserve to have a Rembrandt he should spend the money on a shrink for being cheap.
Maximum profit is the name of the game. It would be foolish to pay for insurance.
LOL.
If the Norweigan postal service sent the gallery a notice to pick up the picture, maybe they ought to check their employees' houses. If not found there, check their bank accounts for recent large deposits.
you get what you paid for. trying to circumvent paying insurance and a courier. oh well.
Lost? I don't think so. It was taken, most likely. Beside, who mails a Rembrandt?
Ole Derje, that's who!
There's cheap, then there is tighter than bark on a tree. Wow.
The museum didn't lose it, nor did the post office. It may have left the building, but somebody took it with them.