The problem of losses in the mail was discussed when the ABA-backed Insurance Scheme was set up with Richard Thompson as our insurance broker. It was agreed then that, even though the title passes in principle in law to the buyers when they pay for books, for the sake of good will and as a matter of moral duty, it would be better for booksellers to bear the cost of lost books. Most customers do not think of losses or insurance when they buy books, even if they do ask for recorded delivery postage. Booksellers should therefore take responsibility and agree that books were posted at their own risk even though customers have paid for them beforehand. Richard Thompson has an agreement with his underwriters that booksellers will be automatically covered for losses in such cases. Those who are not members of the ABA scheme should be able to claim so long as they are covered by policies with marine transit insurance. But a word of warning from a member: check your excess, which may be as high as £500.

Members are reminded that many parcels sent to addresses in Paris are lost. It seems safer to remove any mention of antiquarian books from the outside of the parcels and even to arrange an alternative mailing address outside Paris.