Illuminated manuscripts, Islamic books, rare maps and first editions are amongst the many items registered on the Art Loss Register database of stolen art, antiques and collectibles. Once they have catalogued and recorded an object the company’s experienced art historians are able to search the database as part of the process of recovering missing goods. But to maximize the chance of recovery it is essential that each item is carefully and accurately described, and preferably accompanied by an image of the object, and to be most effective this of course needs to be done in advance of theft or other loss.