[CR]Confente's box - Contacting Gian Simonetti

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

Comment: DomainKeys? See http://antispam.yahoo.com/domainkeys
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:00:09 -0800 (PST)
From: Raymond Dobbins <raydobbins2003@yahoo.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <MONKEYFOODUA26e2kFC000019e4@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]Confente's box - Contacting Gian Simonetti

i agree with john pergolizzi that more could be done to establish the provenance of the box, such as searching for a handwriting sample, or the corroborating opinion of somebody else familiar with confente's handwriting. however, i can see how kevin kruger felt justified in relying on jim cunningham's opinion. several people have speculated as to why confente would have written his name and address on the box, but no one has refuted jim's positive identification of confente's handwriting (based on personal knowledge). although jim cunningham's recollection could be wrong, in the absence of any contrary evidence, we can't fault kevin too much for not undertaking painstaking reseach to authenticate something that is not inherently significant nor valuable - if we were talking about a frame supposedly made by confente, additional research could be considered necessary.

ultimateley, so long as kevin's auction accurately and completely states the facts and opinions upon which he asserts the authenticity of confente's handwriting (including the names of people upon whose opinions he relied on, and including the existence of an ongoing debate as to the authenticity of the handwriting), i think he will have complied with his obligation to disclose the pertinent facts. from then on, it is up to the potential buyers to decide what the box is worth. if the successful bidder is not satisfied with the documentation (or lack thereof), he can pursue further research.

my opinion is that kevin had enough information on which to offer this box as containing confente's handwriting. i do not, however, express an opinion as to whether his ebay description is sufficient.

now, as to contacting gian simonetti, the last time i tried, 2 to 3 months ago, i hit a dead end. if anyone has his current telephone number or email address, please let kevin and i know, because i am still trying to ascertain the date of my medici pro-strada.

ray dobbins
miami florida