Actually, I believe most of the problems stem from the previous owner. In order to make obtaining his figures as difficult as possible Frank Hammond insisted on a caveat in the document of sale that all miniatures be delivered by carrier pigeon. Naturally enough, those pigeons were to be bred by Mr Hammond himself. Alas, transatlantic flight is a perilous business with startlingly high mortality rate for flying rats. Of course many don't make it as far as the coast, shot out of the air by hunting enthusiasts and farmers who have mistaken them for Bald Eagles, deer or potential home invaders.