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The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has
announced the appointment of William Brown to the post of
National Security Advisor. He takes over from Iain Slessor,
who has retired after being in the post for seven years.
William Brown is now responsible for assessing the
individual risks faced by museums, galleries, libraries and
archives and advising them on safeguarding their premises
and the objects in their care. He will also provide security
advice on the transit and care of objects loaned by national
museums and galleries to other institutions in the UK and
abroad. Other duties involve advising MLA colleagues on
security arrangements for the protection of objects covered
by the Government Indemnity Scheme or accepted in lieu of
tax.
Cottees Auctions Limited of Wareham in Dorset has become the
latest casualty of adverse economic conditions in the trade.
Cottees ceased trading on 5th May and the directors have
instructed solicitors to petition the court for compulsory
liquidation. Cottees was founded in 1907 and held specialist
ceramics and collectables as well as general sales.
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An Edinburgh collector decided to take advantage of the
police knife amnesty to hand in his collection of more than
500 blades - but the blades in question are ornamental
letter openers. Police confirmed that the man, said to be an
elderly collector who had been collecting for more than 40
years, had handed in the letter openers as he said he was
afraid of them falling into the wrong hands.
Normally, any blades handed in during the amnesty would be
destroyed by being melted down, but police say many of the
letter openers are highly decorative and it would be a shame
to destroy them. Experts from Bonhams have been called in to
examine them and assess their likely value.
One of the earliest known paintings depicting a game of
football is to go under the hammer in Edinburgh this summer.
The painting, entitled The Village Ba'Game (pictured) and
painted crica 1830 by the Scottish artist Alexander Carse
(c. 1770-1843) is expected to make £30,000 to £50,000 at
Bonhams' Scottish Sale on 25th August. It is very similar to
another Carse picture belonging to a Dundee art gallery,
which is currently on tour at the World Cup in Germany.
Carse embraced the themes of the 17th century Dutch artists
and depicted "the poetry of common life" - simple social
gatherings, village fairs, tavern scenes and sporting
events. He spent time in the Scottish borders, where he
would have witnessed events like the one depicted. The
history of football is an increasingly popular subject,
World Cup notwithstanding, and the auctioneers tell us they
expect strong and competitive bidding.
A new antiques auction website has just been launched, with
the aim of offering users the ability to value items and
check their authenticity. The site, www.timezone.org.uk, has
been developed by Kent-based collectors Alicia Bethany-Croft
and Christine Del-Roy. "A large number of fakes are being
traded online and our aim is to offer an alternative - a
reputable service which we hope will become indispensable
both to individual buyers and sellers, and larger dealers,"
says Bethany-Croft. "As part of our service, we will also
value and post items online for people dealing with probate
or similar situations."
The site specialises in glass, china, vintage wear,
jewellery, clocks, watches, vintage pens, perfume bottles,
Art Deco, glass furniture and accessories, Mickey Mouse and
toy cars.
Buyers and sellers can register online and listing items is
free of charge. In the event of a sale, there is a
commission of 10%. The site is monitored for fakes and
suspect items, and sellers are offered free "e-valuation"
estimates. Sellers can also choose a written valuation
service for a modest fee, where independent valuers will
inspect the goods in person.
TimeZone's founders say they will develop the site as an
online community of antiques aficionados. A members' section
will allow people to exchange ideas and join excursions to
antiques fairs and other events.
The British Library has purchased 'My Ladye Nevells Booke',
acknowledged as the finest Tudor music manuscript in
existence. The manuscript was accepted by the Government in
lieu of inheritance tax under the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
It contains 42 works by William Byrd (1543-1623), the
greatest composer of the Elizabethan age. It is the earliest
surviving source of Byrd's keyboard music. Aesthetically,
the manuscript is notable for its outstanding calligraphy,
presentation binding, gilt edges pricked with fine lace
Elizabethan guilloché and the quality of the heraldic crest.
It was acquired for £404,069, with funding from various
sources including the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the
Friends of the British Library, private donors and the Art
Fund.
Chippenham Auction Rooms in Wiltshire have a sale for all
movie and music lovers that should not be missed. They will
be offering a lifetime collextion of Film memorabilia and
autographs. Many autographs from Frankie Howard, Ringo
Starr, Sid James, Peter Sellers and Ronnie Barker. Also
albums of original on set photographs from the Carry On
films and Rising Damp, and original scripts from the Carry
On films, Allo Allo and Only Fools and Horses. The sale is
on Saturday 1st July at 10am with viewing from Thrusday 29th
June.
Stratford Antiques & Interiors have just opened a new
designated showroom within their 10,000 square foot centre
to show off their top of the range oak furniture. The
quality range is made to replicate early 17th and 18th
century pieces and can be made to suit clients'
requirements.
A new arrival at Stratford Antiques & Interiors, which has
recently been taken over by David and Sue Wilkes, who were
dealing within the centre, is a remarkable Victorian oak two
tier buffet. It shows carvings relating to the Earl of
Warwick, and is undoubtedly a copy of the original piece
that would have celebrated the marriage of Richard Verney
and Margaret Greville in 1598.
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