The best course of action is to contact the "owner" agency, in this case DOT, and alert them. They can then take action to recover the items through the State Attorney general's office. We have done the same with artifacts being offered on Ebay from shipwreck sites in Lake Champlain, which are state property.

Philip Lord, Jr.
Director, Division of Museum Services
New York State Museum
Room CEC 3097 - Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
(518) 486-2037
Website: http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/services.html

>>> [log in to unmask] 10/29/01 01:13PM >>>
Some photographs from the Department of Transportation were recently offered
on ebay - not modern, but vintage prints, ca. 1910.  I queried the seller
(politely, I hope) with my name and address about where he got them, and did
he have clear title to them.  The response I got is below - distribution to
the full list may not capture his giant (panicky?) font.

Best,  Christopher Gray

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From:   Iconpix
To: MetHistory
Hello :  Are you an attorney ? What is your interest in this matter. Has
anyone reported it stolen ?
This is a original photograph.  ANYBODY can
own a photograph.  I am not using it for
advertising or commercial purposes.  Is is
sold as " art " for your home or exhibition.
Please identify yourself properly and tell me
your personal interest and I will answer your question.

Regards Ike of iconpix