Liz:
I hope that physician wasn't a transplant surgeon!
Steve Henrikson
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Liz Bleiberg
  Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 11:56 AM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Re: Request for return of a major gift


  Dear Rachel:

  One wants to avoid tugs-of-war (there are few winners in that game) with a
donor; one also wants to avoid the "give it to the museum, get it back after
said museum has stored, insured, curated and (maybe) displayed the artifact
with my name on it for 30 years" trap, too.

  One would of course want to notify the (former) donor of tax implications
in writing (keep a copy for your records), and one may wish to include the
cost of the artifact's care in that communication, too--whether or not you
attach a bill for that amount.

  Others in the field may take a soft-pedal approach, and that's fine--I'd
ask for a donation, and I can do it with a perfectly straight face.  After
all, if what we institutions are becoming is not museums but places to store
items safely though temporarily, rent is in order.

  And if we are also advertising the name of the donor, an ad charge can
also seem appropriate.

  I am aware of a prominent physician who used this "lend/return" ploy to
some professional advantage for many years.

  Liz Bleiberg
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