When you sell items at auction, the auction house takes pictures (at the seller's expense, directly or indirectly.) Ever thought about what happens to those pictures? I can tell you that very many auction houses--from the biggest to the smallest--on three continents have supplied me with pictures from their archives for my book, at absolutely no charge. Generous? Yes. Assisting me takes time, and auction houses are busy places. At the same time, we all have to give back in some way or another, and savvy auction houses like educating potential collectors....and my book will do just this.
Imagine my surprise when one US auction house refused to supply me with a picture unless I pay a licensing fee. Is the fee big? Frankly, I don't care. The issue is one of principle. Almost 100 collectors, museums, and auction houses have supplied material for the book at NO cost. How can I pay one auction house, even for one picture? Hardly fair, I think. So I have declined to use the picture. Am I being petty? Is the auction house being petty? You decide. It does bother me a little to think that if I send something to auction, the image of my item will be a potential cash-dispenser for the auction house forever after!
Standing by my principles is hard. I want the picture!!! So if you bought this item at auction or if you know anybody at Cowan's who might be kind enough to waive usual policy and share this image at no charge, please let me know!
Imagine my surprise when one US auction house refused to supply me with a picture unless I pay a licensing fee. Is the fee big? Frankly, I don't care. The issue is one of principle. Almost 100 collectors, museums, and auction houses have supplied material for the book at NO cost. How can I pay one auction house, even for one picture? Hardly fair, I think. So I have declined to use the picture. Am I being petty? Is the auction house being petty? You decide. It does bother me a little to think that if I send something to auction, the image of my item will be a potential cash-dispenser for the auction house forever after!
Standing by my principles is hard. I want the picture!!! So if you bought this item at auction or if you know anybody at Cowan's who might be kind enough to waive usual policy and share this image at no charge, please let me know!
