Following the collapse of the DSB Bank owned by Dirk Scheringa, it's main creditor, ABN Amro, seized the entire collection, which had been used to raise money for the construction of the now nearly completed new 38 million euro museum building.

"....they came like thieves in the night", said tearful museum staff.

Ownership of the collection passed from ABM Amro to Deutsche Bank. At the end of 2011, the future of the premises and collection of the museum remains unclear.