New Problem in Selling Antiques

We have been informed by Bonhams that we should consider selling this year because of the increasing level of EU regulatory interference, due to come into force in June 2025, (hugely limiting the importation into the EU of objects of non-EU origin), such limitations will have a serious cooling effect, as happened with the prices of ivory, (sale of which is either significantly restricted or in many cases forbidden).

This import ban into the EU, is to strengthen the fight against terrorist financing and will be in force by 28th June 2025. It is also to stop the trade in illegally excavated cultural goods. So, all cultural goods taken out of the country where they were created can no longer be imported, unless proven to have been outside the country of creation from before 24 April 1972.

Auctioneers will require that all owners of Asian antiques provide evidence (that each of their antiques have been outside Asia from before 24 April 1972) and that they have been in the last country, from which they are being imported, for at least 5 years.

We had not intended selling all of our collections at once, our plan was to sell as and when we needed funds. But we would not be able to provide the evidence required so we think we will have to sell this year.


A Surprise

I received an email from the editor of an online newsletter called 'New Light on Old Media' for the ‘Magic Lantern Society’ asking for permission to include my ‘Spirit of Spring’ photograph with an article. It turned out that my photography was the lead article.  Also The Magic Lantern Society publishes a magazine and the editor has decided to feature my work too. I have learnt that this is the UK society and there is another separate one in America and Canada that are likely to be interested too.


Disgusted With The World

I have not had much interest in politics, for in my view it is always the most awful people that seem to get into positions of power. But since Putin attacked Ukraine, the world seems to have gone mad and there are more and more wars all-round the globe.

So many countries have been accepting all the lies Hamas kept spreading, and there is hardly any mention about the hostages held by Hamas, or about the horrific, evil, sadistic murders by Hamas that started this war. Reporters fail to do any research or check the validity of their information before going to press. The result has been very detrimental for Israel and for Jews everywhere, there have been lots of demonstrations in support of Hamas by thousands of very ignorant people, including lots of women, calling for Israel to be wiped off the map. I think these demonstrators should all be deported or forced to go and live in Iran for at least a year. (Iran and The Qatari regime, support the vicious Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Jihadis, and the Houthi) they would be in for a shock, especially the women when they learn what life style they are supporting!

Israel is surrounded by Arab vast countries who openly state their intention to wipe tiny Israel off the map! Israel has had to defend itself against them many times, but Israel has never started a war. The 7th October 2023 was a particularly barbaric surprise attack by Hamas on unarmed civilians, where apart from taking over 200 hostages, they delighted in killing over 1,200 mothers, babies, and old men in terrible ways. Since then, over 19,000 Rockets, Missiles, Mortars, and drones have been fired towards Israel from Gaza, West Bank, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.