Letters to the Editor

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

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 – 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 – 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 – 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.

MADAM – I wonder if any of your readers could help with information about ‘missing’ Ambrose Heal chests.

MADAM – This week while reading my ATG (No 2481) I stopped for a moment to look again at two paintings, one of them by Appel which prompted me to remember a painting my grandaughter did some 15 years ago at the age of seven.

MADAM – This might be the moment to attempt to cap Martin Levy’s saleroom reminiscences of times past (Letters, ATG No 2480).

MADAM – Martin Levy’s and Christopher Howe’s letters reminded me of my early days in Sotheby’s press office (ATGs 2478 & 2480).

MADAM – Re: ‘What’s really needed is a broader antiques council’ Letters, ATG No 2482).

MADAM – I am intrigued by the ongoing debate surrounding Christie’s interpretation of the current Covid-19 restrictions in relation to the viewing of auction lots – in particular the Apter- Fredericks sale of January 26 (front page, ATG No 2481).

MADAM – Recent events (Brexit, the removal of the exemption for antique ivory, Covid) have all highlighted the need for a clear single ‘Antiques Trade’ voice to speak to Government and the wider world.

MADAM – Martin Levy’s letter (ATG No 2480) brought back happy memories of my time as a porter at Phillips Oxford in the early 80s.

MADAM – Your article ‘A great connoisseur of art‘ (News, ATG No 2479) recording the death of the impressive American dealer/collector Richard Feigen, and the obituary in the same edition (right), while rightly lauding the range of his connoisseurship from early Italian art through to Contemporary artists, didn’t mention his passion, and exceptional eye, for British artists such as Richard Wilson, JMW Turner, David Wilkie, RP Bonington and Samuel Palmer.

MADAM – We are concerned about the imminent imposition of restrictions to limit the trade of ivory works of art within the European Union (front page, ATG No 2480).