<A volunteer goes to an auction sale or an antique dealer, finds a chair
<which is documented as having been used around the dining table in the
<former Governors' Mansion, and buys it.  We own the Former Governors'
<Mansion State Historic Site and operate it as a museum.  The volunteer
<has collected an object which the museum needs/desires to
<complete its collections, and there is a conflict of interest.  We would
<offer to buy the chair for what the volunteer paid - unless, of course,
<they chose to donate it, which many do.

I'm still wondering how a museum can, as this seems to imply, a "right" to that
particular object.  Ideally, of course, it would be purchased and donated to
the museum, but if the museum is not even at the auction trying for it, what
right do they have to demand it, even if a volunteer is lucky enough to win.
It would seem like they should, perhaps, offer to buy it, ask for it on loan,
or ask that it be put in his/her will that it goes to the museum when she/he
dies as it is important to the collection.  I agree that there are many things
that are so important that they should be preserved in a museum and not owned
by private collectors, but at the same time, I don't think a museum has a right
to demand that chair (even if paid for) from anyone.

Where I see the conflict, instead, is if someone working for/volunteering at a
museum/library offers to buy something for their personal collection from
someone who had offered it to the museum (i.e., actually purchasing something
offered to the museum, before the museum can accept the offer).  Now that would
be wrong.  But if one searches the world for a particular kind of chair, and
finds it, even if it happens to be the last thing the museum needs to complete
a collection, it should be there's if they buy it.

-Andrew Richmond
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andrew S. Richmond | Proj. Dir. | Editor | The Papers of Philander Chase |
Kenyon College | P.O. Box 141 | Gambier, OH 43022 | Phone: (614)427-5689 |
Email: [log in to unmask]

Please visit!    http://www.kenyon.edu/khistory/chase/

                "I think you will agree with me that some day
                 this collection should be made known somehow,
                 to the friends of the College and to all who
                 cherish the memory of Bishop Chase."
                                -Professor Richard G. Salomon
                                 in regards to the papers of Philander Chase
                                 Kenyon College: March 25, 1946


I DO BOOKSEARCHES:  Looking for that elusive title?  Or that book that's long
been out of print?  I can find it.  Let me know what you're looking for and
I'll search the world!  Check out The Bishop's Booksearch for more details at
http://www.kenyon.edu/khistory/andy/books.htm.