Two ethical questions:

1.  Do you think it is ethical for a history museum to hold a public
auction of historical artifacts donated to the museum for the purpose of
raising funds?  These would be objects that were never accessioned, and
the museum would make it clear that they are not items desired for the
museum collection.

2.  Do you think it is ethical for a history museum to hold a public
auction of deaccessioned items from its collections, once reasonable
attempts had been made to find good homes for these items in other
museums?  These would be items deaccessioned for good reasons (e.g.,
insufficient documentation, not needed in the collection, poor quality,
etc.).

Thanks,
John

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