Organisations

STREET art by Banksy – until now a problem area at auction because of authentication – is about to be brought in from the cold thanks to a new independent verification body.

The Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) have announced their search for a new chief executive after the resignation of Joanna Cave. During her eight years at the helm, Ms Cave led the campaign for the Artist’s Resale Right in the UK against fierce opposition from the British art trade.

Markenfield Hall, a 14th century moated manor house near Ripon in Yorkshire, has won the new Historic Houses Association and Sotheby’s Restoration Award for 2008.

Ebay have announced more initiatives to speed their evolution from auction site to online retail environment.

The Reserve Bank of Australia are to challenge eBay on their decision to make PayPal mandatory on all sales listings. The RBA says it will “shortly be holding discussions with PayPal [an eBay subsidiary] with a view to seeking the removal of these rules”.

Tiffany & Co have appealed over the ruling that eBay do not have to police their auction site for fakes before they are sold to unwitting buyers.

Ebay have won a landmark judgment in the US federal courts, which effectively protects their position as an independent trading platform.

LORD Ashcroft’s Victoria Cross collection – the largest in the world – is to go on public display following his £5m donation to the Imperial War Museum. The news comes as the museum has also received a donation from the Art Fund to purchase an important watercolur by Keith Vaughan (1912-1977) at auction.

THIS year’s Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors conference will be a two-day event running on Thursday and Friday, October 16 and 17, in south west London.

The second quarterly survey conducted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors made gloomy reading for those engaged in the trade of traditional art and antiques.

AT their Council meeting last week the British Antique Dealers Association decided on no further action regarding complaints by some members that well-known Kent dealer and fellow member Lennox Cato was fitted with a microphone while carrying out vetting duties at last month's Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair.

LAPADA are have recently introduced a new benefit to members in the form of a personalised currency-exchange service offering more favourable rates and transaction charges than are generally available through banks.

EBAY Australia have decided to drop the case for PayPal exclusivity ahead of a decision on the matter fro the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

EBAY have vowed to fight a new French court ruling that effectively makes them responsible for what is sold on their site. In effect, the ruling could mean them having to vet items before they are offered, rather than removing offending objects once they have been alerted to them.

AUCTIONEERS at the latest Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA) seminar were visibly shocked as they learnt how easy it is to become an unwitting party to a bribe.

LAPADA, the Art and Antique Dealers Association, have announced a new forum with the West of England Antique Dealers Association (WEADA) – their sixth such arrangement.

EBAY’S latest bid to tackle fraud – by insisting UK sellers accept payment via PayPal – has come under attack. Due to come into force on July 9, the online giant says it will help block fraudulent transactions and data theft.

Elaine Dean, Secretary General of The British Antique Dealers’ Association for the past 25 years, will step down on July 10. She will be succeeded by her current deputy Mark Dodgson who already has 18 years experience with the BADA.

A FRENCH court has ruled for the first time that eBay are directly responsible for what is sold on their website.

BRITISH pottery dealer Jonathan Horne has been appointed Master of the Guild of Arts Scholars, Dealers and Collectors.