MADAM – Gerry Pearce’s letter (ATG No 2419) is in my view an example of double standards. He, of course, makes no mention of the innocent donor who almost certainly would have retained the £380,000 vase had he/ she been aware of the value and even maybe have sold it through Ewbank’s themselves!
He doesn’t recall any charity shops being compensated when they have made a major mistake. I for one am not aware (although this may have happened) of any trusting donors being compensated by charity shops for unwittingly giving away £400,000 Chinese vases.
Elyot Tett