Archive: People and Markets

Ollie Croker, Project Curator Recovery Programme, and Sara Aly. Art Market Expert Recovery Programme. Photo: British Museum.

Further Recoveries of British Museum Objects

The British Museum has announced the return of a further 268 missing objects, taking the total number of recovered items to 626. The museum also confirmed that it is currently working on new leads for around 100 additional objects.

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Investigators found 18 gold lumps in the possession of one suspect. The composition of the metal indicates that the lumps were created by melting down the Celtic hoard. Photo: Bavarian Criminal Investigation Department.

Further Investigations into the Stolen Celtic Coin Hoard

Following police success in the case of the stolen Celtic gold hoard, the authorities have made additional details public. It appears that the perpetrators were professionals, but their professionalism was their undoing.

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Among the about 300 found silver pieces are ca. 50 complete coins. Photo: Nordjyske Museer, Denmark.

Hobby Detectorists Find Viking Treasures

Two coin hoards from Viking times were found by detectorists in Denmark at once. The coins by Harald Bluetooth tell of a dramatic period and led researchers to the sensational find of a settlement area.

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At the February 1, 2022, Paris conference: Vincent Noce, far left, Henrik Hanstein, President of the Federation of European Auctioneers (back shown), Alexandre Giquello, President of the Drouot, Professor Marc-André Renold, Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerruti, IADAA Chairman Vincent Geerling (with microphone) and far right with his back to the camera, Roberto Riccardi, Head of Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.

Defamatory Attack on IADAA And Its Officers – a Response

A French newspaper article claims IADAA chairman Vincent Geerling to be involved in trafficking antiquities. A close look reveals a distortion of facts – or how the journalist and the authorities simply ignored them. With consequences not only for the accused.

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Archive: Coins, Medals and more

Gustav III: A Conservative Revolutionary

On 20 June 2023, Künker will auction off medals that the Swedish King Gustav III himself gave as a present to the young Peter Frederick Augustus of Oldenburg. These medals are a testament to the policies of the king who was shot dead at a masked ball in 1792.
Sotheby’s, The One (2nd February 2024), lot 8: The 2nd May 1840 Penny Black Cover. Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,500,000.

The First Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp to Be Offered at Sotheby’s

A Penny Black affixed to a Mulready envelope is among the most valuable items in Philately ever offered at auction. The earliest posted envelope using a prepaid stamp, dating to 1840, will be sold at Sotheby’s with an estimate of $1.5–2.5 million.
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