Letters to the Editor

MADAM – After this pandemic, retail will undergo a seismic shift even faster than the present move away from many high streets.

MADAM – I am writing a book on the origins and makers of coquilla nut snuff boxes, a time-consuming and difficult task ideally suited to these trying times.

MADAM – We read with interest the notice about the digital-only edition of ATG.

MADAM – regarding the Auction Report in ATG No 2436, Anthony Redmile was not an architect, but a creative designer.

MADAM – The Art Market report in ATG No 2436 of the sale of Terence Cuneo painting 'Evening Star at Full Steam' at Sworders has come off the rails at a couple of points.

MADAM – I wonder if your readers can help us.

MADAM – The priest or Boatswain Starter, with string knotwork at each end, which is probably weighted with lead, and waxed (Letters, ATG Nos 2432 and 2433), is also called a Life Preserver, suggesting a defensive – as well as a proactive, attacking – weapon.

MADAM – It seems to me that the art trade should be seriously lobbying on behalf of the freeports plan mooted recently by the government.

MADAM – Re: ‘Priest or for a press gang perhaps’, Letters, ATG No 2432.

MADAM – As I understand it, the recent government legislation regarding anti-money laundering requires all buyers, established and new, to provide photographic ID and proof of address. This will then be stored on the auction houses’ databases.

MADAM – Re: Hornby Castle Chair in the Bonhams Oak Interior sale (ATG No 2431). I have just returned from holiday to see ‘my’ old armchair staring out at me from the ATG front page. I thought you might be interested in a bit of its missing history.

MADAM – On May 5, 1821, the extraordinary life of Napoleon Bonaparte came to its tragic conclusion in Longwood house St Helena.

MADAM – I was intrigued by your two-page spread on money laundering (ATG No 2430).

MADAM – I feel sure that the auction house Andrew Smith & Son has a fine reputation. An established reputation attractive enough for the owner of the fine antiques depicted on your Letters & Opinion page to send the photograph for appraisal (ATG No 2431).

MADAM – I wonder if any ATG reader could identify this curiosity which I bought at a fair recently?

MADAM – I was pleased to see a report of the Hansons Moorcroft sale (ATG No 2430), and mention of the large and rare 18in exhibition Tiger Lily flambé vase in particular, as to my knowledge and awareness one last appeared on the market 29 years ago at Hartleys in Ilkley.

MADAM – Re: A Lawyer Writes, ATG No 2431.

MADAM – As auctioneers, we are regularly in receipt of email images of items from hopeful vendors and we are, on most occasions, able to provide a reasonably workable estimate of value.

MADAM – I note your recent correspondence regarding ‘firm price’ labels.

MADAM – I was greatly saddened to hear of the death of Reuben Reubens (Obituary, ATG No 2429) who was a customer of mine over the last 40 years.