This was the only episode written by Carey Wilbur, who specialized in westerns, and he did a super job in creative writing with this one. It's a shame he didn't do more stories for the show.
Bernard Fox, of BEWITCHED and HOGANS HEROES fame, turns more dramatic here, playing the very British Colonel Redford who teams with Barnaby to get the goods on a notorious international thief and killer called the Raven (best played by Eric Braedon).
Barnaby and the colonel make an ideal team, and actually Bernard Fox should have returned for an encore performance in later episodes, he is that much fun to watch. He was an actors actor. Same goes for Eric Braeden, really getting into his role as a master thief, the prize being rare porcelain vases. The story actually begins with Hans, alias the Raven, killing his former partner to get it all. He is positively ruthless, but also quite the refined gentleman!
There's also a lot of truth to this episode as porcelain remains a rare property, made with kaolin, a special clay, which is difficult to find. The price goes up and up!
John Anderson, yet another fine dramatic actor co-stars, who likewise played some distinguished baddies.
A one of a kind episode you do not want to miss, and especially to see Barnaby close in on the crafty Raven.
Nearing the end of SEASON 3, EPISODE 23 remastered CBS dvd box set.