> However, is this 'sharp' practice on the part of the auction house? > Surely > the value of the object has decreased because of the damage to its > 250-year > old frame? > I've got to ask you, Jane, what does the friend's contract with the auction house state about liability and damage while on the premises? I would expect all of that to be covered before the piece ever left your friend's house? [And, how will your friend get the piece back, if they are not returning the crate?] Claudia Nicholson Curator Museum Collections Department Minnesota Historical Society 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. St. Paul, MN 55102-1906 e-mail: [log in to unmask] Phone: 651-297-7442 FAX: 651-297-2967 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://museums.state.nm.us/nmmnh/museum-l.html. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).