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| The Collapsed House of the Gladiators at Pompeii |
- Italy may cut 280 million euros from its culture budget over the next three years, which has prompted a one day strike to protest the cuts, which comes after the House of Gladiators collapsed.
- Is privatizing the site the answer? I hope not.
- I want to recommend the terrific writing of Catherine Schofield Sezgin over at the online supplement to the Journal of Art Crime. She’s written on German art forgers, and the cultural plunder database.
- FBI special agent David Kice says the Four Corners Antiquities Investigations were not the result of a concerted effort, but rather were the result of one well-connected confidential source who later committed suicide.
- Members of Congress weigh in on the Cultural Property Implementation Act, yet miss the point entirely by failing to mention the 1970 UNESCO Convention.
- Was Turner a cultural property internationalist?
- Is art title insurance on the way? Or not?
- Former FBI agent Robert Wittman has a fascinating story to tell about his career securing the return of stolen art. It might even make a terrific movie if he can avoid more disputes with potential producers.
- Peru is seeking Obama’s assistance in securing the return of objects from Yale University.
Questions or Comments? Email me at derek.fincham@gmail.com
Derek- On the Congressional letter, I’m not sure why you believe that the legislators that signed it “missed the point.” As you know, the UNESCO Convention is not self-executing, and import restrictions (which are at issue here) can only be imposed based on the provisions of the CPIA. The concerted international response requirement is an important part of the statute. In this case, it has not been met. Certainly, the major market nations of the EU (Germany and the UK) allow ancient coins (that are not fresh from the ground) to be exported without a license. It is also my understanding that Italy has a system where no export permit is required for most coins, after a 45 day waiting period. Over all, there is nothing wrong with Congressmen requesting that State follow the law. You yourself noted favorably the Urice and Adler article that argues this does not happen as it should.
Sincerely, Peter Tompa