Letters to the Editor

MADAM – ATG's report ‘Sotheby’s introduces new fee on top of the hammer price and buyer’s premium’ (News, ATG No 2454) will raise eyebrows.

MADAM – You might suggest to Anthony Carter that he should photograph the faint inscription on his ‘fake Constable’ (Letters, ATG No 2451) with an infrared setting on a camera (often called ‘night vision’ on cameras).

MADAM – During these challenging Covid-19 times, it is encouraging to note that stamps, at least, have held up well, perhaps because philately is the perfect hobby for the home buyer.

MADAM – Re: Anthony Carter’s enquiry about his painting of the Mill Stream and Willy Lott’s cottage which he thinks might be by Lionel Bicknell Constable (ATG No 2451), might I suggest he takes the picture to the Victoria and Albert Museum, which reopens on August 6.

MADAM – We have read, with great interest, your reports about the problems encountered by so many antiques dealers since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

MADAM – I wonder whether your readers can assist with any information regarding this signed watercolour acquired in Norfolk in the late 1980s.

MADAM – The Transferware Collectors Club, the US-based international non-profit organisation dedicated to the study of British transfer-printed ceramics, is pleased to announce the launch of its newly designed website: transferwarecollectorsclub.org.

MADAM – I really enjoyed reading the Collector’s Interview in ATG No 2448, which featured the artist Michael Austin.

MADAM – the report of the RN Reserve officer’s sword coming up for sale, and the report on the original owner, Erskine Childers, is somewhat incomplete (Previews, ATG No 2449). He in fact served in all three branches of the Service.

MADAM – I was astonished to learn that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has specifically decided to refuse any grants under the Discretionary Grant Scheme to antiques market stallholders in Portobello Market.

MADAM – Might I ask whether one of your readers is able to assist with a little piece of identification?

MADAM – It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Laurie Langford, the renowned maritime antique dealer (Obituary, ATG No 2448).

MADAM – I run a small conservation and restoration workshop in Kent and like many businesses in the UK, my activity has been greatly affected by the coronavirus emergency.

MADAM – Following on from ATG news articles (issues 2447 and 2448), it seems clear to me there is a group of Portobello Road traders who simply do not want to pay their rent during lockdown despite being in receipt of government grants.

We enjoy reading letters sent to us by our readers both via email and more traditional methods.

MADAM – With the list of auctions increasing in every issue, it gives me hope that normality is on the way and soon we should be acting as normal albeit online for a while instead of bidding in person at these auctions.

MADAM – Re: the crayon drawing of Churchill.

MADAM – Re: the article on the front page of ATG No 2446 regarding art and antiques premises reopening.

MADAM – I would be very grateful if any of your readers could shed light on the artist of the attached crayon drawing of Churchill.

MADAM – The Virtual Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair ended last Sunday (May 31) and we are now busy trying to gauge the short-term results. The main reason for putting it on was always to give all the exhibitors, who missed out on the real fair, a platform in May, and I am really touched by the many lovely messages sent to thank me and the team for our efforts.