Letters to the Editor

It all started, as things often do – by pure chance.

Tim Maxwell, partner in art and luxury law, and Matthew Shore, barrister specialising in litigation in art and luxury law, both at Wedlake Bell, give their expert view on a recent case

Might anyone be able to help track down a missing painting by Thomas Fearnley (1802-42), a Norwegian landscape painter of English descent?

The appearance of a British ‘Dandy Horse’ bicycle c.1819 at Lewes saleroom Gorringe’s in May, which featured in Pick of the Week in ATG No 2745, sparked Grosvenor Prints in London to write in.

A call for help in ATG enabled a dealer and author to track down a missing picture for her soon-to be published book on artist Gladys Hynes (1888-1958).

It was with great interest that I read about the Inchiquin Emerald that is currently for sale with Hancocks (News Digest, ATG 2745).

Regarding the painting by Alfred William Hallett featured in ATG No 2745, I can confirm it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1939, number 487.

Just a small thing, I saw that you wrote in ATG No 2743 that £22,500 for Casino Royale was, you believed, the joint-highest price for a straight, uninscribed copy.

I would like to add my tribute to the wonderful ATG following others I have read on the Back Page.

An item of great interest for me was the small pocket knife that was recently sold together with its own story from the Titanic disaster* [see Previews, ATG No 2739].

Railtons [auction house] received this heavy and rather grubby Victorian marble bust just as our end of March catalogue was going to press.

I was so glad to see the front page photo in ATG No 2738 [‘Bidders Pipe Up For Treen’].

Stalwart of the saleroom Stuart Triggol is retiring. He featured in ATG No 2717 to mark his 50 years in the trade.

Regarding your article in ATG No 2736 and all the recent publicity about the identity of Banksy, Reuters has spent time and money and come up with a name that I do not believe is the right one!

Alex Capon’s article on Christie’s new auction rostrum is most intriguing, though I confess the accompanying photograph fills this reader with a certain melancholy (ATG No 2735).

Re: ‘Mystery octopus vase holds me in suspense’ (ATG No 2735).

I’m really sorry to hark back to the ridiculous Ivory Act, 2022.

I’ve been collecting octopus objects for many years and have some interesting and unusual items, though sadly most of my netsukes, although of the finest craftsmanship, are ivory and no longer buyable or tradeable.

Martin Levy’s plea for the Ivory Act to be ‘phased out’ (Letters, ATG No 2729) deserves full support from all quarters – dealers, auctioneers and collectors.

I was interested to read the article by Joan Porter on Madonna’s visit to Margate – at the invite of Tracey Emin who does so much for the town (Fairs, Markets, Shops & Centres, ATG No 2731).