86 23rd June 2012 letters to the editor
It’s really not good to talk when you are at an auction
SIR – Attending an auction at Bonhams recently, I became aware of a loud voice to my left. It was a jolly fellow on his
mobile, apparently oblivious to the surroundings. As he was drowning out the dulcet
tones of the excellent auctioneer, whose attention I was shortly hoping to attract, in respect of a lot of personal interest, I quietly and courteously requested the phone user to cease talking, or to move outside. This suggestion was repeated and,
on both occasions, resisted. Accordingly, in a robust voice, I
appealed to the auctioneer to request
the gentleman concerned either to close his conversation, or to leave the room, as I was about to bid, and had some diffi culty in following proceedings. The culprit immediately cried,
“I’ve fi nished, I’ve fi nished!”, peace prevailed, the auction proceeded, and I fortunately won the lot concerned. Is this not how the inconsiderate,
who inhabit a solipsistic universe, should effectively be dealt with in public auction rooms?
Gavin Littaur Hendon London
ivan macquisten email:
editorial@atgmedia.com Thanks for your kind support
SIR – Re: Julian Mynott. I would like to take this opportunity,
through your newspaper, to express my immense gratitude to the many members of the antiques trade who attended the funeral on June 1 of my husband, Julian, and youngest son, Freddie. It really was a huge turnout and I
regret not having had the chance, for one reason or another, to speak to a great many of them. I would also like to thank all those
who made donations, and sent me cards and letters of condolence. I have been totally overwhelmed by people’s sentiments and have received much comfort from your kind words and reminiscences. Julian would have been very humbled. I know Julian was a special person; a
truly gifted dealer with an exceptional ‘eye’ and knowledge – an important
If you show a better sense of direction it can boost your business As I use trains and other forms of
SIR – I travel to the UK twice a year searching for stock. I stay in London so I can attend sales
at the major auction houses and also plan one- and two-day trips to various country towns using such programmes as Bargain Hunt, my ATG and many hours researching on my computer.
Bernard Prydal
MANY in the art world will be very saddened by the sudden death of Bernard Prydal. With his fellow director, Manya Igel, he traded under the name of Manya Igel Fine Art and had for over 25 years been one of the most familiar faces at major art and antiques fairs.
Despite being nearly 88, he was still very actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business. In
February he was busy each day negotiating sales on the company’s stand at the 20/21 International Art Fair.
Bernard, a Norwegian, and
Manya Igel fi rst met in the early 1980s when she was exhibiting at an art fair and he was a lecturer of business studies at Thames Valley University. Their friendship blossomed and Bernard soon became as energised about art as Manya – so much so that he took early retirement from academia to join her business. In the second half of the 1980s they began to specialise in modern
public transport, which I enjoy, I rely on information on websites telling me “how to fi nd us”. I’m sure I’m not the only potential
customer who values having this information on websites but, alas, it is not always there.
add this little detail, as it could well attract business.
Trevor Hancock Trinity Antiques Perth Western Australia
player in the antiques world. He had a strong sense of values, of decency and fairness, and a willingness to help. He was a man of great integrity – a rare quality today. But his passion for antiques was not
an obsession. He did not make family sacrifi ces. He had struck the perfect balance between work and home, and I and the children could never have wished for a more devoted husband and father. Come Sports Day or Christmas Play, Julian was always there. As one letter I received stated: “He
was just a beautiful man. One couldn’t help but like him.” I can’t add to that. My sincere thanks
to you all.
Emma Mynott Barford Warwickshire
We welcome your My plea is to all centres and shops:
correspondence. Please email the Editor at:
editorial@atgmedia.com
The Editor reserves the right to amend correspondence where necessary for publication.
British art, with a keenness to promote living artists. Unlike the majority of galleries who take the work of contemporary painters on sale or return, the workaholic duo bought outright from the artists. This resulted in Bernard and Manya making friends with many leading Royal Academicians, including Diana Armfi eld, Fred
Cuming, Bernard Dunstan and Ken Howard. Always smartly
attired and with a silk handkerchief in his jacket’s breast pocket, Bernard was the paragon of a true gentleman. His taste was broadly
traditional and he held strong views about today’s avant-garde
art. That said, he always talked with great perception. One of Bernard’s favourite shows
was London’s 20/21 British Art Fair, where he and Manya exhibited every year since its founding in 1988. Manya Igel will continue the
tradition by showing at the fair in September which takes place at the Royal College of Art.
Anthony Lester Michael File
MICHAEL File, an antiques dealer for 43 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 8. He will be sadly missed by his
loving family and friends. He started his antiques career as
a porter at Phillips Son and Neale, London, in 1969. After moving to Kent, with his
wife Jenny, he opened shops in New Romney and Sandgate, both in Kent, for 27 years. His funeral will be at Barham
Crematorium, Kent, on Thursday, June 21, at 11.20am. Family fl owers and donations to
Pilgrims Hospice via Chittendens Funeral Service, 1-3 Windmill Street, Hythe, Kent CT21 6BH.
Dan File
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