Thank you for speaking to us at the 66 club dinner last night in Bournemouth, when I had the opportunity to speak with you about the proposed ban in trade on all ivory items of whatever age, value or cultural significance.
In view of the imminent parliamentary vote, the matter is pressing and alarming to antiques and antiquities dealers, museum curators, auctioneers, fine art collectors, connoisseurs, musical instrument dealers and others worldwide.
At present a ban in trade on post- 1947 worked and raw ivory is working well and is both accepted by all and fit for purpose, so why change it?
A profound question would be that if a ban were to come into effect, then what compensation would be paid to owners of such items for loss of value, often in the region of thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousand pounds?
I felt you had some sympathy with my comments and if opportunity arises, please convey my views to others. I am able to supply photographs and even arrange to show physical examples of ivory of all ages if it would help.
Thomas Sainsbury
(Dealer in antiques, retired)
Poole, Dorset
