Letters to the Editor

MADAM – We write in response to the letter written by Daniel Fearon suggesting a special BBC Antiques Roadshow programme to discuss/ showcase objects solely made of, or incorporating ivory (ATG No 2330).

MADAM – As a jewellery consultant I thought my first letter to the ATG would be about ivory. But No.

MADAM – I think the increased interest and associated rise in value of vintage and collectable watches means auction houses really need to up their game both in terms of what they’re selling and how they are describing lots.

MADAM – Re: the article by Laura Chesters concerning the future of the Silver Vaults (ATG No 2330). Just to correct a small point – that the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit was opened by the Lord Mayor in May 1885 and not in 1876.

MADAM – Gavin Littaur’s comment (Letters, ATG No 2329) that “BAMF’s definition of ‘museum quality’ is exceedingly unhelpful” pulls its punches too much.

MADAM – The proper aim of all right-minded persons is to end ivory poaching. The irrelevant ‘ivory bill’ will not help.

MADAM – The article on Hannah Snell (Fairs & Markets, ATG No 2328) mentions etchings and 15 pages about her life and times.

MADAM – No amount of banning the sale of the millions of items containing antique ivory will stop the wholesale slaughter of elephants in Africa.

MADAM – Are people aware of the compensation that the UK Government paid out when the handgun ban came into force after the Dunblane massacre in 1996?

MADAM – Although I think that the BADA certification programme goes some way to pacifying the waters, the conservationists have very strong support even if they are blind to the past as seen in the story about wildlife charity Born Free launching an ivory ‘amnesty’ (ATG No 2329).

MADAM – With the plethora of antiques-related shows on television, may I suggest that perhaps you could use your influence to have a specialist present a show on the subject of ivory in art.

MADAM – I read with interest the recent article by Milton Silverman discussing a bidding contest in Europe (A lawyer writes, ATG No 2327).

MADAM – While John Trory is correct to state that “there are no ‘lanes’ in North Laine”, he is wrong about “South Laine” (ATG No 2327).

MADAM – The continual allure of the Napoleonic period as referenced in Dealers’ Diary recently (‘Nutty about Napoleon', ATG No 2327) is indeed most interesting.

Given the Antique Plate Committee (APC) is undertaking a “crackdown” (ATG No 2328), there are a couple of current issues I would like to highlight.

MADAM – Re: the article ‘So what is museum quality?’ (Letters, ATG No 2328).

It is mandatory for all members of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA) to have a separate client account or to use an alternative method of protecting client funds that has been approved by SOFAA’s committee, rather than ‘strongly advising’ all members to do so, as written in ATG No 2327. ATG apologises for this error.

MADAM – I’ve been reading ATG’s coverage of Mossgreen’s issues with interest, not least regarding client accounts, or lack of (ATG No 2327).

MADAM – You may call me a pedant but in Brighton there is no such place as the North Lanes.

MADAM – Here’s an insight into my week. Tuesday: I receive my copy of Antiques Trade Gazette. I read it fairly thoroughly, often starting with Bid Barometer. Then with trepidation I move onto Letters, this week almost entirely devoted to ivory.