Apropos of Craig Smith's mention of the non-existent Stella being
auctioned recently on eBay, the March 2005 issue of "Kovels On Antiques
And Collectibles" carries a warning advising collectors to beware of
ghost items being auctioned on the Internet, saying this has become
a very common scam.

Kovels offered one good suggestion to persons interested in bidding
on an expensive item: ask the seller for a few additional pictures.
If he can't produce them, walk away.

Matthew Caulfield (Irondequoit, N.Y.)