David The ethics of the institution as far as their acquisition policy is the issue. Do we (institutions) really always follow our own publicly stated policies on acquisitions. I can remember several instances of feeling the heat for insisting on documentation from potential donors,(documentation other than there "word" on it) and turning down donations where that documentation was not forthcoming. If the object had a questionable pedigree before the institution aquired it in my opinion it still has a questionable pedigree. its still early in the morning I hope this makes sense. Chuck Cecil ccecil@cal academy. org