Patrick Powers has a point here, but on balance I think fernando (with a small 'f' !) has a stronger point. If we can't ever enjoy these things, then there really is no point in having them. I think there is another argument. Rather like the world of art (paintings, mainly) the better a piece is known worldwide, the harder it is to do anything with it if you hold it illegally. Given the ability with today's technology (not to mention tomorrow's) instantly to send a picture to virtually every diallist around the world to warn them of a theft, the situation should be getting better rather than worse. Consequently I believe that the more a dial is shown to those who have interests in such things (and amongst them are the ones who are most likely to want to own them, even at any cost), the harder it becomes for them to hold such a dial knowing that it is stolen - eventually someone will recognise it, and questions will be asked. Of course this does not stop a thief from melting a dial down for its brass, any more than the art world can stop a thief from burning a well-known stolen work. Yes, we should be careful, but not to the point of paranoia, and we should be vigilant, especially those who buy and sell or auction these things. Finally, if we take the road of keeping these items ultra-secret, aren't the thieves, vandals and hooligans winning? Surely we should be taking the war to them and showing them that there is no hiding place, across the world, and that eventually a stolen dial WILL be traced. Perhaps we should start to fix 'official' (that is BSS in UK, NASS in N.America, etc) stainless-steel plates to dial pillars, walls etc stating that the dial is fully logged and known the world over, as a deterrent.
Peter Tandy At 07:56 AM 5/12/99 +0200, you wrote: >Patrick Powers wrote: > >> Sadly the prevalence of theft has meant that all those who keep archived >> data about dials - like the BSS here in the UK - must be very vigilant >> about inadvertent publication about dials of any sort since even the >> humblest horizontal dial is often worth quite a bit for its brass/ bronze >> content alone. It is for this reason that the BSS does not publicise >> information about dials on the Internet. >> > >This opinion (and decision) tantalizes me and mystifies me. Sundials are >there to be admired. In fact, in my opinion that's their only raison d'être. >This is especially true now that they are not needed as "practical" >timekeepers. > >If they can not be seen and revered, so what are they good for? > >It is a real shame that in this world of today we still have >thieves, vandals and the hooligans. Nevertheless, I don't think >they should prevent good people to see what exists to be >admired. > >There may be a catch 22 here. I understand if we divulge >sundials addresses and attractiveness on the Intenert >(or any other means), we may get the attention >of some ill-intentioned person. On the other hand, >how many well-intentioned people are deprived >from the pleasure of seeing something beautiful? > >- fernando > >PS - as everybody agreed I should use "coup de grâce" instead of >"stroke of mercy", I concluded I souldd use "raison d'être" >instead of "reason of being" :-) If that makes any sense... > > >-- >Fernando Cabral Padrao iX Sistemas Abertos >mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pix.com.br > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Fone: +55 61 321-2433 Fax: +55 61 225-3082 >15º 45' 04.9" S 47º 49' 58.6" W >19º 37' 57.0" S 45º 17' 13.6" W > > > >
