If people have concerns about particular items, they should contact the NYPL directly. The person I contacted last year about an ebay item was:
Robert J. Vanni
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
New York, New York 10018-2788
tel. (212) 930-0744
fax (212) 391-2503
rvanni@nypl.org
As it turned out, he advised that the item had been deaccessioned by the NYPL. He indicated that if there were other items of concern, the NYPL was always grateful if such items could be brought to its attention.
I hope this assists, as I think such contact is first appropriate, rather than having a debate on a public forum without full consideration of the position of the NYPL on an item.
Max