[MSN] Art Loss Register Certificates: Art Loss Register reaction requested

[MSN]

Re: [MSN] Art Loss Register Certificates: Art Loss Register reaction requested


The ALR is on our list. Their comment is most welcome....
Ton


-----Original Message-----
From: MSN <msn-list at te.verweg.com>

Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:31:01 
To:<msn-list at te.verweg.com>
Subject: [MSN] Art Loss Register Certificates

Ton made a point about the wording of the certificate. But there is a difference when it comes to how the certificates are used in the public arena. I have a catalogue of antiquities from a well-known auction house on my desk (issued less than 2 years ago): each object has the text, "This lot is accompanied by a certificate from the Art Loss Register". There does not seem to be any explanation (or warning of limitation) of the ALR Certificate in the catalogue - and the printing of the statement was probably intended to reassure potential buyers.

My understanding is that the auction-house in question is a share-holder in the ALR; see the helpful list posted by Tom Flynn: <http://tom-flynn.blogspot.com/2008/03/due-diligence-pull-other-one_27.html>
So is there a conflict of interests?

Have the staff of the ALR been rather silent over the way that certificates are used by clients (and especially clients who are share-holders)?

Should clients make a statement about the ALR Certificates in the printed "Conditions of Sale"?

Perhaps somebody from the ALR would like to comment on these issues? What is being done to address the problem of recently looted antiquities?

David

-----------------------------------------------------
Dr David W.J. Gill
Centre for Egyptology and Mediterranean Archaeology (CEMA)
School of Humanities
Swansea University 
Swansea SA2 8PP
Wales - UK
d.w.j.gill at swansea.ac.uk
www.swansea.ac.uk/classics

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