It is very unlikely that the luxury of having two fairs per year will exist for a long time for all the known reasons. Plus the costs of running two similar organisations would be halved.
Apart from this, having just one such strong organisation will strengthen the pressure group to carry on the campaign to abolish the irrational and unfair, because ARR is levied on the gross value of the retail (the sales invoice factors in essential costs such as framing, restoration etc which are not allowed to be deducted under ARR), plus no reference to whether the painting is sold at a profit or a loss is considered.
It does not apply in Switzerland or the US; it is often avoided because owners of paintings now send them there with the subsequent loss to London auctions and art related businesses. ARR must be abolished!
Jeremy Taylor
Not the moment for a merger
MADAM – The merger between the BADA and LAPADA has been much discussed. Votes in council of the BADA have always gone against a merger.
At this moment in time I feel a merger will not benefit either association.
Both associations need to concentrate on helping their dealers the best they can, while we are coping with Covid and Brexit.
Jeremy Green
The Canon Gallery
