If the museum did not own the painting then, sad to say, there is not 
much they can do about the sale.

A bigger red flag is who really does have legal ownership of the Cole. 
The article mentions that the painting was given to Seward while he was 
governor of New York. Frequently, gifts to office holders become 
property of the state, not the person. Does the Foundation really own 
the painting or does New York own the painting?


On 2/25/2013 11:28 AM, John Marks wrote:
> This is a deaccessioning story with a legal twist. The home and 
> contents of William Henry Seward (Secy of State, the short guy in 
> Lincoln) in Auburn, NY was left to a local foundation with the intent 
> of being a museum. The historic house didn't receive a state museum 
> charter until 2009, at which time some of the contents were legally 
> transferred from foundation to museum - but not all. Foundation kept 
> ownership of a Thomas Cole painting that was commissioned for and 
> given to Seward and has hung in the house for most of its existence.
>
> We're familiar with both the intent of wills and press release spin, 
> please take a look and see what you think of the situation
>
>
> http://auburnpub.com/news/local/valuable-painting-formerly-on-display-in-seward-house-to-be/article_a5ed7b03-9468-576f-8603-c16237c46956.html 
>
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