Posted by R. John Howe on March 25, 1999 at 17:28:39:
In Reply to: Importance as reason for collecting posted by Yon Bard on March 25, 1999 at 15:03:29:
Hi Yon -
Your ceramics expert has given some guidance about applying the notion of "importance" to specific pieces but I would worry about this notion a little (although it is used by the auction houses all the time).
First, it is very subjective, so it's hard to tell what is being pointed at or valued.
Second, it is, for this first reason, rather open to abuse for commercial purposes. One wouldn't have to look very far to see that occurring in Internet rug auctions.
So I wonder how reliably such a factor can be made to operate, although I think the thrust of your expert's advice was helpful and better articulated than usual.
Regards,
John Howe