I was very pleased with Mr. Thompson's comments. I was an
antiques dealer before I came on the museum scene. I worked with
many collectors who, out of a passion, built stunning private
collections. My exposure to them reminds me of people like the
Rockefellers, who have not only built fantastic and important
collections, but have shared those collections with the world--as
most private collectors I have met are willing to do over time.
May I also add that many museums have great collections because of
the efforts of a single dedicated collector.
What gives anyone the right to tell a person that
they no longer "should" own their life's work and
accomplishments? And why is it that when so many museums today
cannot even care for the collections that they own, do they still
demand to hold more?
The whole thing has perplexed me for years.
John Handley
San Francisco