constructive debate on modern collecting were right. Its a pity that
the intelligent comments and criticisms which have been made by some
members are utterly obliterated and therefore wasted by the
irrelevant rants of others. I thought that this debate could be
inclusive so that the broadest possible range of collectors, dealers
and academics could be heard but this has sadly proven impossible
here.
A change in attitude to collecting is not something alien or
ethereal, its already happening, and anyone unwilling or unable to
understand it will simply be left behind, put out of business or see
their collection devalued over the coming decades.
I have no interest in upholding the interests of the dealers or
collectors who are not willing to address the impact of illicit
excavation, and it seems that many of these short-sighted dinosaurs
who will trade in smuggled/stolen/illicit antiquities are to be found
here. As I've said before, this was an idea intended to set broad-
based standards which people can then apply or ignore as they wish;
life's too short to explain the many reasons again and if some
members are too simple to understand self-preservation I suggest they
visit a library and ask for a copy of The Origin Of Species.
If you want ten-dollar-artifacts which have been illegally exported
(stolen) then you can shop at Steve M.'s place: the stuff looks both
genuine and cheap. If smuggling, theft and fakes are not a
consideration in your collection I'd recommend you shop at
Artemission, Eftis, Sadigh & 100's of other low-life scum set-ups
spouted by the internet and ebay. Just don't claim to give a hoot
about culture and don't expect to be able to sell the stuff in 10 or
20 years time.
Without action from the collecting/trading community our shared
interests will become the subject of further legislation, of that
there is no doubt to anyone who bothers to read up on the subject and
the idea of clinging to the "status quo" is optimistic if not
downright absurd. As an ADA member and "white elitist" with a
advantageous educational background including a degree in archaeology
I may just get a dealing license in the new system... but if I do, I
won't be buying anything without a provenance and nor will anyone
else. Go figure....
Please, try to make sense of a set of responsible guidelines with an
agreed balance or the matter will simply be taken out of your hands.
That's democracy in action, so let's not bark about civil liberties!
Rolf
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