tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post7343052914519387132..comments2024-03-25T22:59:30.053+00:00Comments on Desperate Reader: Breakfast at Sotheby's - Philip Hook Desperate Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-50197624025385965292013-11-20T18:27:10.260+00:002013-11-20T18:27:10.260+00:00I can't believe I didn't know about Duveen...I can't believe I didn't know about Duveen before, and happily there are a few cheap copies available on amazon (the 1st one I saw was £60). The Mellon collection is at the top of my American wishlist of places to see. My favourite art collector has until now been Vivant Denon who had the happy job of following Napoleon around Europe choosing what he wanted for the Louvre. Much of it had to be given back in the end but you can't win them all and what was left is still a significant part of the Louvre's collection.Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-72545331008673858822013-11-20T18:07:53.800+00:002013-11-20T18:07:53.800+00:00You've given me some amazing books :)You've given me some amazing books :)Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-66333520289791598242013-11-19T19:41:04.829+00:002013-11-19T19:41:04.829+00:00Methinks you might enjoy reading Duveen by S.N. Be...Methinks you might enjoy reading Duveen by S.N. Behrman. Duveen was an art dealer who convinced US robber barons in the early 20th c. that they just had to own old masters or they would never amount to anything. His manipulation of the art market for his own profit was legend. And in the end he convinced all the robber barons to donate their art to museums. Thanks to him the National Gallery in DC is a giant treasure chest. I think there are several books written about him, but the one I enjoyed can be viewed here: http://books.google.com/books/about/Duveen.html?id=Y5mOijfpFxYCThomas Hogglestockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284352537015457974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-78341077717667889552013-11-19T00:03:23.387+00:002013-11-19T00:03:23.387+00:00I couldn't agree more with last comment. I'...I couldn't agree more with last comment. I'm a golf addict but would I want everybody to buy me golf clubs/golf books or would I buy them golf related gifts? You mentioned in another post that 'everybody' is getting a copy of 'booze' - just making a point that we all have personal tastes and what we love is individual. Perish the thought - some might not appreciate a book at all! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-32474872510737071392013-11-18T20:50:58.654+00:002013-11-18T20:50:58.654+00:00The joy of receiving books as presents is the same...The joy of receiving books as presents is the same as browsing in an actual bookshop. You will receive/happen upon a book that you may not normally consider. Why limit oneself to a dull and entrenched routine of subject mater? Joy to the world and particularly to all book buyers and readers who revel in the diverse and wonderful exploration of literary and subject matter! Rubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964613999404091909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-19688447169753078452013-11-18T20:12:00.134+00:002013-11-18T20:12:00.134+00:00I only buy books as presents for people who like b...I only buy books as presents for people who like books as presents, I base my choices on the common interests and shared sense of humour I have with my friends so can't imagine why I would give somebody something I didn't think was very good. You must have had some rotten presents bought for you in the past to take this so personally. Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-50081376828280061022013-11-18T09:26:41.626+00:002013-11-18T09:26:41.626+00:00Do you only buy people books that you like for pre...Do you only buy people books that you like for presents? A 'novel' idea but perhaps not the ideal gift for everybody? Presents are meant to be a personal thought for an individual - not forcing your love of something onto someone else? Just a thought D.RAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com