Edited version of an open letter by Anthony Coleridge, chairman of Christie’s South Kensington (CSK) 1987-2001, to Christie’s owner François Pinault (see also news, page 1, for Christie’s response): When you purchased Christie’s I was delighted that someone with a great interest in the fine and decorative arts was our new owner.
At that time I was chairman of CSK. The majority of the staff were young and they worked long hours. They were extremely loyal and it was, on the whole, a happy place.
On March 7 I took some objects for sale to CSK and talked to members of the staff who were most helpful and showed the greatest enthusiasm for their forthcoming sales.