In a message dated 02-03-26 02:31:44 EST, Christof wrote:

<< Imagine a dealer who regularly sells you movie
 posters quite cheaply (forget about the suit for a moment) and
 then offers your museum a big (and not so cheap) collection of
 "contemporary clothing and artifacts of popular culture"?  You
 would like very much to buy that beautiful collection for your
 museum and you will eventually do so.  Could you be accused of
 favoring this dealer?  How would you defend yourself? >>

Yes, I'm aware of this problem, and I've heard of a curator who bought almost
exclusively from one dealer (who, it was rumored, was the curator's cousin).
Favoritism certainly is unethical--but it's also possible that a particular
dealer may consistently have the best or most appropriate stuff, and anyone
in such a situation should be prepared to prove that's the case rather than
favoritism.  But you lost me, Christof.  I don't understand what this has to
do with personal collecting.

David Haberstich

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).