Issue sent out 26th June Cover dated 30th June


Copy deadline Wednesday 20th June


Antiques Trade Gazette 87 back page PERSONAL VIEW Packing art the professional way


■ Following Milton Silverman’s ATG column about the perils of art in transit, SANDY RICH, an insurance broker with nearly 20 years’ experience in the art market, provides further wise advice to avoid problems


A FEW years ago, in response to requests from clients, I prepared some guide-lines for the shipment of works of art which deal with the exact problems which Mr Silverman has encountered (see Back Page column, Art in transit? Make sure every angle is covered, ATG No 2044, June 9). Most particularly it is important


that clients always check for damage immediately upon arrival, ideally in front of the delivery service. It is not good practice to unwrap objects to check for damage later and then to try and notify those at fault days/weeks afterwards. With a “signed for” service, if it is not possible to check immediately, write “signed for unchecked/uninspected” beside the details. Most insurance policies carry general


transport conditions requiring objects to be adequately packed so as to “withstand normal handling during transit”. Some policies go further, stipulating


that “insured property is packed and unpacked for transit by competent packers”. This type of clause doesn’t require every item to be packed to the very highest standards (though insurers might like this), but it does mean insurers will review the method of transportation used if a claim is submitted. The physical protection of an object through adequate packing and sensible


labelling is the most important thing that you can do to save time, money and aggravation. Good packing can establish your


professional reputation: good packing impresses, avoids the disappointment of acquisitions arriving damaged and circumvents disappointed buyers voiding transactions. It is far more preferable for a work of


art to arrive safely than to have to make a claim under an insurance policy (which may have other monetary repercussions). These well-honed guidelines could


help ATG readers: ■ Payment: if it is a card transaction


over the phone, make certain that the delivery address matches the card billing address. If it doesn’t, and the customer is unknown to you, do not send, or ask them to make BACS, CHAPS or E-commerce payments. Ensure that payments have cleared before forwarding goods – BACS, CHAPS or E-commerce payments avoid forged/stolen card issues. ■ Physically protect


objects by adequate packing: bubble-wrap alone, lined with acid- free tissue, might be suffi cient for a hand- carried journey across a town/city, but would not be adequate for an international transit. Place small objects in much larger


boxes than needed: there is less chance of a larger package getting lost in transit. Ideally, double-box items with a layer of foam chipping between. Ensure that contents are not


vulnerable to cutting when they are unwrapped. In particular, antiquarian


books and canvas paintings should be sturdily wrapped to avoid being slashed by box-cutters during the opening process. ■ Always check for damage


immediately upon arrival, ideally in front of the delivery service: if this is not possible write “unchecked” or “not inspected” beside the details. It is not good practice to unwrap objects later and try and notify those at fault weeks afterwards. ■ Labelling: make sure that packages


are correctly labelled. Double-check addresses and postcodes and ensure they can be clearly read. Do not write the value of the goods on the outside of a parcel. If it is essential to state a value for export purposes, ensure that this information is discreetly placed in an envelope on the side of a package. If packages need to


Above: Sandy Rich.


be kept upright etc then ensure that the axis is clearly and correctly indicated. If you are an antiques dealer, or sending goods to an antiques shop or jeweller, avoid labels that emphasise the valuable nature of the goods inside. Avoid the risk of


‘signed for’ packages


being taken in by neighbours by stating that they are for the “named recipients only”. If using couriers or the post, use their monitored/tracked services. ■ Insurance: make sure you have


established defi nitively who is responsible for insurance (ideally in writing). If you are not confi dent about sending goods to a particular area, make sure that all costs go forward and that insurance is the


Focus on Jewellery


In an upcoming issue of ATG expect to see our bi-monthly Jewellery column


To ensure a good advertising position in this popular editorial feature please contact our team


Editorial contact: Roland Arkell rolandarkell@atgmedia.com Tel: 020 7420 6686


UK Advertising: Marika Clemow marikaclemow@atgmedia.com Tel: 020 7420 6645


Overseas Advertising: Jennifer Daly jenniferdaly@atgmedia.com Tel: 020 7420 6643


responsibility of the addressee/recipient. You do not want to be told that items have not arrived or have arrived damaged if you have done everything right. If you are relying on a third party’s


cover or on the insurance of a shipper and packer, courier or postal service, make certain you have read their terms and conditions. They might not cover “unique” items (i.e. works of art), may only pay the cost of the loss or damage (with no “depreciation” cover), or only cover goods for a small amount of ‘Standard Drawing Rights’ [SDRs] per kilo. If you are relying on your own


insurance policy, make sure that you have suffi cient cover. If you are using a courier or postal service on higher-value objects, check whether this is appropriate for the insurance to apply. If you are undertaking a transit yourself, avoid leaving objects in any unattended vehicle. Make certain that you know what the implications are if you do have to do this. (Many policies have an “Unattended Vehicles Clause” excluding cover or stipulating a limit and requiring a vehicle to be locked and alarmed and items to be kept out of view.) If you are “hand-carrying” valuable


objects, make sure that you have arranged all your transportation in advance and make certain that you are able to keep packages with you as hand luggage. Airport baggage handlers are not museum technicians, the luggage carousel is not suited for the conveying of art, and trying to hail cabs with very valuable baggage is perilous.


Alexander ‘Sandy’ Rich is director of fi ne art at Richard Thompson Insurance Brokers Limited of Weybridge, Surrey. Call 01932 349732 or see the website at www.rtinsurance.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88