Map thief Gilbert Bland

[Miles Harvey <mharvey@interaccess.com>]

First, an update: Gilbert Bland, the man alleged to have pilfered antique
maps from at least 18 libraries in the United States and Canada, will soon
be a free man. On March 31, a court in Delaware gave Bland a two-year
suspended sentence for his thefts from the University of Delaware. This was
Bland's final legal hurdle; he will be free in a month at the latest. After
plea bargains with federal prosecutors in Virginia and local and state
prosecutors in North Carolina and Delaware, he will have spent a total of
less than a year and a half in prison.

Next, a request: I am writing a lengthy feature on the Bland case for
Outside magazine, and I'm looking for some reaction to the sentencing. Was
it too light? Should more universities have filed charges? Does this
relatively light sentencing encourage future Gilbert Blands? Please e-mail
me (mharvey@interaccess.com) with your thoughts. I'd also appreciate it if
respondents would include a phone number so that I can contact them
directly.

I'm also interested in getting the reaction of map dealers. Specifically,
I'd like to know whether the Bland case had any significant impact on the
trade. Has it made dealers more cautious? Did it affect prices? My deadline
is tight, so I'm anxious to hear from all interested parties as soon as
possible.

Thanks,

Miles Harvey
Correspondent
Outside magazine
mharvey@interaccess.com
(773) 989-7235