on board a cruise ship, claimed last night he had cancelled plans for a two-day exhibition on the Island.

Donald Stephens, who is renowned for his selection of Bermudian artifacts, said members of the Bermudian Collectors Society from around the world had decided not to bring their displays for the two-day conference, which he said was planned for next May.

He said following the raid on his cabin aboard the Pacific Princess by Customs officers on Tuesday, members were afraid they would suffer the same fate.

Mr. Stephens, from New York, was interviewed by Customs and Immigration staff in St. George's over the way he sold and delivered old Bermudian memorabilia, but particularly postcards, by auction via the eBay network on the Internet.

Some of his collection can reach values of $100 a postcard and date back to 1900. They sell all over the world, but many are bought from people here on the Island.

He sometimes delivers the packages by hand when he visits the Island and he said during 44 visits to Bermuda, he had never experienced any problems.

However, postcards coming into the Country for any reason other than from holidaymakers are subject to 22.25 percent Customs duty.

Mr. Stephens admitted never having paid duty, but said he was not aware that he had to.

Customs officers seized a number of his belongings on Tuesday, including a laptop computer containing information on much of his collection, 450 postcards, compact discs and documents.

Collector He was given his laptop computer back yesterday.

If he is found to be contravening Customs regulations on dutiable goods, he could face a bill running into hundreds of dollars.

Mr. Stephens, 65, said: "We were in the process of organising an exhibition entitled Bermuda 2001, which would have been the first exhibition of its kind on the Island in 21 years.

"Part of the reason I came to Bermuda this time was to organise the event and I was planning to talk to Customs officials about it. But I have spoken to members of the society and, based on what has happened, no one will take the risk of bringing their collections.

"I think people were going to come from all over the world.

"There was about $2 million worth of material coming here. You can't take a risk with that.'' But Mr. Stephens said the event had not been finalised and had so far been kept under wraps.

He and his wife are due to leave the Island on board the cruise ship today and he said he hoped to have the rest of his belongings returned to him by then.

Acting Collector of Customs Winniefred Fostine-DeSilva told The Royal Gazette last night: "My staff are still dealing with this case. We do not talk about individual cases. He was going to get his computer back today.''