Letters to the Editor

MADAM – Marian Waters’ letter (‘Online catalogues are not much good for a breakfast chat’, ATG No 2489) highlights what I also believe is an important issue.

MADAM – re: Gavin Littaur’s letter (‘Ivory: don’t forget collector expertise’, ATG No 2487), I wholeheartedly agree.

MADAM – A recent email from thesaleroom.com had, as a featured lot, a replica Darth Vader helmet described as ‘vintage’.

MADAM – The last 12 months have seen a somewhat inevitable shift towards the online sales catalogue, with honourable exceptions such as Lawrences and now Mallams.

Unni van Dort writes in to say “I attach a photo of Humbug the cat enjoying the latest edition of ATG. We both very much appreciate it!”

MADAM – I was interested to see the piece in ATG No 2485 relating to the sale of an ensign, claimed to be from HMS Medway Queen, by Bonhams of New York.

MADAM – In September 1989, a valuable painting was left by my garage in central Cambridge.

MADAM – Can your readers identify the workshop responsible for this ‘Last Supper’ triptych of glazed tiles, set on a slate and mortar matrix?

MADAM – Re: Daniel Fearon’s letter concerning the ivory ban fiasco (ATG No 2486).

MADAM – I write with reference to ‘The Key Moment’ article in ATG No 2485, and specifically the bold statement that it was Dreweatt Neate’s auction on March 15, 2006, that offered live bidding via thesaleroom.com “…that launched the modern era of internet bidding among UK regional auction houses and paved the way towards the world of online auctions as we know them today”.

MADAM –In the Militaria & medals section in ATG No 2485 it was inferred in an article on Capt Leefe Robinson VC that following his Zeppelin exploits he was confined to a desk for the remainder of the war as a ‘celebrity pilot’.

MADAM – As I read the ‘Fees proposal for ivory exemptions’ story (front page, ATG No 2484), I was overwhelmed by an attack of the Victor Meldrews.

MADAM – In his letter in ATG No 2484, Julian Vincent seems to suggest that a Conservative government is somehow on the side of the antiques trade.

MADAM – I was interested to see the well-illustrated armorial from the Blane grant of arms sold at Reeman Dansie (News Digest, ATG No 2484), but it is not that of a baronet as stated.

MADAM – I was interested to read the obituary regarding Ian Godfrey Appleby (1928-2021) in a recent edition of ATG (No 2484).

MADAM – Simon Waters’ letter (ATG No 2483), reminiscing about his time as a 17-year-old at Knight, Frank and Rutley in the early 1960s, brought back memories of my own.

MADAM – Re: ‘Fair loses appeal over early closure’, front page, ATG No 2484.

MADAM – Further to the fraught issue of a possible merger between BADA and LAPADA.

MADAM – Re ‘EU propose ban on import and export of antique ivory’, front page, ATG No 2480.

MADAM – I run an online antiques business. I have now found that since January 1, 2021, when I export to the EU, my customers are having to pay additional import duties of between 18-25% on each order.