Letters to the Editor

MADAM – Re: your report on the sycee sold at auction in Germany (International, ATG No 2438).

MADAM – In your recent report on the Toovey’s book sale (ATG No 2437) you mention the purchase of the Pear Tree Press publication 'Ten designs for Two Gentlemen of Verona'.

MADAM – I am writing a book on the origins and makers of coquilla nut snuff boxes, a time-consuming and difficult task ideally suited to these trying times.

MADAM – We read with interest the notice about the digital-only edition of ATG.

MADAM – After this pandemic, retail will undergo a seismic shift even faster than the present move away from many high streets.

MADAM – regarding the Auction Report in ATG No 2436, Anthony Redmile was not an architect, but a creative designer.

MADAM – The Art Market report in ATG No 2436 of the sale of Terence Cuneo painting 'Evening Star at Full Steam' at Sworders has come off the rails at a couple of points.

MADAM – I wonder if your readers can help us.

MADAM – It seems to me that the art trade should be seriously lobbying on behalf of the freeports plan mooted recently by the government.

MADAM – The priest or Boatswain Starter, with string knotwork at each end, which is probably weighted with lead, and waxed (Letters, ATG Nos 2432 and 2433), is also called a Life Preserver, suggesting a defensive – as well as a proactive, attacking – weapon.

MADAM – Re: Hornby Castle Chair in the Bonhams Oak Interior sale (ATG No 2431). I have just returned from holiday to see ‘my’ old armchair staring out at me from the ATG front page. I thought you might be interested in a bit of its missing history.

MADAM – On May 5, 1821, the extraordinary life of Napoleon Bonaparte came to its tragic conclusion in Longwood house St Helena.

MADAM – Re: ‘Priest or for a press gang perhaps’, Letters, ATG No 2432.

MADAM – As I understand it, the recent government legislation regarding anti-money laundering requires all buyers, established and new, to provide photographic ID and proof of address. This will then be stored on the auction houses’ databases.

MADAM – I feel sure that the auction house Andrew Smith & Son has a fine reputation. An established reputation attractive enough for the owner of the fine antiques depicted on your Letters & Opinion page to send the photograph for appraisal (ATG No 2431).

MADAM – I was pleased to see a report of the Hansons Moorcroft sale (ATG No 2430), and mention of the large and rare 18in exhibition Tiger Lily flambé vase in particular, as to my knowledge and awareness one last appeared on the market 29 years ago at Hartleys in Ilkley.

MADAM – Re: A Lawyer Writes, ATG No 2431.

MADAM – I wonder if any ATG reader could identify this curiosity which I bought at a fair recently?

MADAM – I was intrigued by your two-page spread on money laundering (ATG No 2430).

MADAM – I note your recent correspondence regarding ‘firm price’ labels.