Letters to the Editor

In this coronation week, I thought I would share some moments when my path working in the jewellery trade has crossed with that of members of the royal family, including our new king and the late queen.

I was wondering if anyone could help answer a question that has arisen with some research

Further to the issue raised in ATG No 2589 regarding problems importing items

Brexit has done it again!

I’ve always understood that Gwen Raverat (1885-1957) produced woodcuts, not wood engravings, and The Knight of the Burning Pestle, 1909, (ATG No 2587) is certainly a woodcut

I was intrigued to read about the forthcoming sale of TRX-293 Trinity, the first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex to be offered in Europe, estimated at c.£4.45m-7.1m (News Digest, ATG No 2584).

I read with sadness Hugo Morley-Fletcher’s obituary in the ATG No 2583 by Roger McIlroy, who accurately summed up his personality.

How sad to read of the passing of Hugo Morley-Fletcher. No, I didn’t know him, but he was one of my favourites on the Antiques Roadshow.

Can any of your readers identify the painter of this picture, an oil on wood panel French beach scene, please?

When the 2018 Ivory Act was being debated key campaigners (Born Free, many MPs including Angela Rayner and numerous celebrity supporters -notably Stephen Fry and Deborah Meaden) argued that the Act would IN NO WAY cause the destruction of antiques.

I have recently acquired this portrait miniature measuring 4 x 2½in (10 x 6.5cm) and I would be very interested to know if any of your readers can throw light on the identity of the sitter.

The majority of art dealers in the secondary market probably agree with Jeremy Taylor’s views on the Artist’s Resale Right (Letters, ATG No 2579) and had hoped that the Ivor Braka case (News, ATG No 2581) would be the start of a conversation.

Regarding Christopher Selkirk’s letter in ATG No 2580 enquiring about a painting by GH Warr, I have no idea who the sitter is but readers might be interested in new information on the artist.

I wonder if any of your readers might be able to identify the sitter in this painting.

Handel & Hendrix in London cares for and presents to the public the homes of two of the greatest musicians ever to have lived in London.

Your article in ATG No 2576 speculates that London and the UK might lose their prominence if the major antiques fairs close down.

I would like to express my sadness on the closing of Eric A Bird Jewellers of Lincoln (Fairs, Markets, Shops & Centres, ATG No 2574).

Thank you for taking up the irritating issue on behalf of your subscribers of eBay charging 20% VAT instead of the 5% directed by HMRC for antique items.

Re my letter: ‘Why does eBay charge incorrect import VAT?’ Letters, ATG No 2560). Just so you know, I never heard back from eBay, plus it seems they continue to charge the wrong 20% duty on most if not all antique items being sent into the UK.

The collection of the original Troika moulds, referenced in ATG No 2564, failed to find a buyer in our monthly auction in October.