Letters to the Editor

As lockdown kicked in, Edward Whitton of Whittons auction house in Honiton conducted online-only auctions outside in the fresh air (the first was held on April 2). Internet buyers reported hearing birdsong as they placed bids.

MADAM – I was interested to see the details of ‘grand reopenings’ on front and p4 of ATG No 2445.

MADAM – If any of your readers who run events have any news I would be grateful for any updates.

MADAM – Congratulations on the Books, Maps & Prints 2020 supplement in last week’s ATG.

MADAM – I find it interesting to see that some auction rooms, who before Covid-19 were very unhelpful regarding postage and packaging, are now bending over backwards to provide either this service or free storage.

MADAM – I hope you are all keeping well in these challenging times. The reason for my writing is I am wondering whether ATG readers can assist me in searching for works by the 18th century racing artist James Seymour (c.1700-52).

MADAM – I wonder if the collective, wonderful wisdom of the ATG community might be able to shed any light on this watercolour below, or the artist whose name seems to be ‘Jacopo’ or some variant – the vowels are not entirely clear. I suspect it is not the 15th century one!

MADAM – I have recently polled our PBFA members to assess the state of the antiquarian book trade and asked in particular about any positive outcomes of the lockdown.

MADAM – Because I am so old my hen-pecking children have had me in lockdown since the beginning of March.

MADAM – I would like to express my appreciation to the editorial and other colleagues that have provided us with a copy of the ATG every week during this extraordinary time.

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

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