You are at the interface where Museums, Art and Law meet. 
1) The ICOM code of ethics for Museums will be relevant to you:
        http://www.icom.org/ethics

2) Suggest you should get in contact with the Institute of Art and Law who I am sure will point you in the right direction as far as sources of help are concerned. Contact: 

        Ruth Redmond Cooper
        Director, Institute of Art and Law, Leicester, UK
        [log in to unmask]
        Tel/Fax ++44 (0) 116 244 8870

        Details of the Institute of Art and Law can be found on the Internet at:
        http://museum-security.org/denney/ial.htm

3)  Re your question on problems with gifts -- I suggest that "Never look a gift horse in the mouth" should not apply to gifts to museums. Horse's mouth should be carefully inspected. Would-be donor's claim to title should be subject to very careful scrutiny.  For a cautionary tale on a $5M "gift" to a museum you may care to read "Lessons from the Denney Collection" at:
http://museum-security.org/denney/index.htm


Antony Anderson
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----------
From:   Tiina Hendrikson[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   20 June 1997 00:28
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Deed of Gift forms

Dear ALL,

We are in the process of designing a "Deed of Gift " form. I would
appreciate any helpful comments, suggestions etc. Anything that would cause
problems etc.

Cheers,
Tiina

email: [log in to unmask]

Tiina Hendrikson
Registrar (Collections Administration)
Powerhouse Museum
PO Box K346
Haymarket NSW 1238
Australia