Novelty makers, memorabilia dealers, artists and performers are facing the loss of one of their most reliable and durable subjects.

First, a memorabilia dealer paid $996,000 for the contract that sold Ruth to the Yankees from the Boston Red Sox in 1919.

Mr. White has shown the collection only to friends, friends of friends, memorabilia dealers and strangers who somehow find him through the grapevine of collectors.

Prosecutors said there was no evidence that the auction house or the memorabilia dealer involved, Mark Schafler, were aware that the diary had been stolen.

"He would come to town for R&R," said Scott DiStefano, a memorabilia dealer.

Gilbert, a memorabilia dealer, is a former agent and friend of Simpson.

Bruce Fromong: memorabilia dealer, later convicted of shoplifting.

Alfred Beardsley: memorabilia dealer, and convicted felon.

"Everybody loved Mickey," said Mark Lewis, a memorabilia dealer who knew Mantle.

Mr. Lewis, the memorabilia dealer, called Ms. Johnson "a nice lady," but questioned her taste.