The Death of a True Appreciator
As reported by Judy Stoffman in the Toronto Star:
Morris Altman spent his working life crunching numbers as an accountant, but he was a man who loved beautiful objects first and foremost.
The lifelong bachelor died in Toronto in early 2004, at almost 100, leaving behind at least two homes, an office and storage lockers so stuffed with paintings, sculpture, antiques and art objects that appraisers for Waddington's auctioneers were astonished by the bounty...
"I've been here 30 years and he was a client of Waddington's even before I arrived," said Bill Kime, the auction house's expert on the decorative arts.
"He was always an interesting chap to speak to, very knowledgeable on a myriad of subjects. He collected books first, a reflection of his studious nature; he had a real thirst for knowledge. He was a very private person.
"He had several properties around the city. He would serially stash antiques and art in them until there was no room for him, and he'd move on."
"He was an eclectic collector, but not interested in using things,'' Kime said. He packed them away for posterity. The chairs were not sat on. ... He had a better understanding of these objects than most other people in the sale room. He felt himself the true appreciator."
...I wonder how many people will save the program from his funeral.
Morris Altman spent his working life crunching numbers as an accountant, but he was a man who loved beautiful objects first and foremost.
The lifelong bachelor died in Toronto in early 2004, at almost 100, leaving behind at least two homes, an office and storage lockers so stuffed with paintings, sculpture, antiques and art objects that appraisers for Waddington's auctioneers were astonished by the bounty...
"I've been here 30 years and he was a client of Waddington's even before I arrived," said Bill Kime, the auction house's expert on the decorative arts.
"He was always an interesting chap to speak to, very knowledgeable on a myriad of subjects. He collected books first, a reflection of his studious nature; he had a real thirst for knowledge. He was a very private person.
"He had several properties around the city. He would serially stash antiques and art in them until there was no room for him, and he'd move on."
"He was an eclectic collector, but not interested in using things,'' Kime said. He packed them away for posterity. The chairs were not sat on. ... He had a better understanding of these objects than most other people in the sale room. He felt himself the true appreciator."
...I wonder how many people will save the program from his funeral.
