News

A PRODUCT design and development company are encouraging the antiques trade to try out an ingenious new packing product they believe is both more effective and environmentally-friendly than traditional methods. Free samples are available to readers of the Antiques Trade Gazette.

THIS year’s New York Fall Fair has been cancelled but the owners, Florida-based International Fine Art Expositions, insist it will go ahead in October 2004. The New York Fall Fair was launched at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan last September and the second was scheduled for the same venue this year from October 14 to 20.

OXFORD’S Ashmolean Museum has made an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £23m for a major redevelopment of the building. The new proposals for Europe’s oldest museum include a dedicated education centre, 100 per cent more display space and state-of-the-art environmental control.

AFTER 71 years devoted to art dealing in the capital city, the Society of London Art Dealers have voted to extend their membership to firms anywhere in the United Kingdom. The decision, taken at the annual general meeting on July 15, reflects a majority belief within SLAD that the association should be working for fine art dealers throughout the country and not just those with a place of business within 15 miles of Hyde Park Corner.

With a five-year non-compete clause behind her, Leslie Hindman has returned to the auction world with a new 12,000-square-foot auction room in Chicago’s West Loop.

S.J. Shrubsole, the well-known silver dealership of New York, have pleaded guilty to failing to collect around $75,000 in city and state sales taxes on over $900,000 worth of goods. The gallery also pleaded guilty to falsifying tax returns filed with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. They have now paid $150,000 in fines relating to the plea.

UK site to answer readers’ queries: Dot-com giant eBay have agreed to meet with the Antiques Trade Gazette to answer readers’ questions about buying and selling art, antiques and collectables on the website.