Billionaire Eli Brody asserts her right to a picture of Sam Francis “Gray”, who is in his court contests Greek collector Gregory Kallimanopulos

a hammer to tap the picture of Sam Francis (Sam Francis) «Gray», presented at Christie's auction on 13 May , has already heard three times: twice at auction, and one - in court. But the passions continue to rage, now raskruchivaya judicial flywheel.

After the auction Greek shipping magnate Gregory Kallimanopulos (Gregory Callimanopulos) filed a lawsuit in Federal Court, asking it to recognize the owner of canvases , for which he proposed a $ 3 million, and accusing the auctioneer house Christie's in incorrect continuation trades.

Representatives of Christie's, as auctioneer lawful action, reported that this work Director of the Fund acquired the Broad Art Foundation Heyler Joanne (Joanne Heyler) , which turned out to be ready to pay 3.2 million dollars (plus the buyer's premium).

is now joined to the proceedings and the owner Facility Eli Brody (Eli Broad) - a well-known billionaire involved collecting contemporary art. The documents, which he handed to the court, said that he was entitled to the job because it offered for the largest amount.

Auctioneer Christopher Bourges (Christopher Burge), testified before the court, said that Gregory had proposed Kallimanopulosom price of $ 3 million as crucial, since it is not seen as Joanne Heyler raised the plate and put a hammer. His colleague pointed out to him for this oversight, after which he continued his bid. As the basis of their action, he cited the text from the catalog of Christie's, which states that the auction house reserves the right to reject any bid, as well as decide who won the bidding.

This is agreed and Eli Brody. He said that Heyler take the next step in time, as an auctioneer in accordance with the provisions to it by law and by contract the right to continue to bid to provide for the seller the highest price.

After reviewing the video of trades, the District Judge William Pauli (William Pauley) confirmed that Heyler really raised his plate before the strike was a hammer. Therefore, on 2 June, he denied Gregory Kallimanopulosa abolishing transfer pictures «Gray» Eli Brody. In response, the Greek appealed.

In support of its rightness Kallimanopulos refers to the letter, which he on the day following the auction Christie's employee wrote April Jacobs (April Jacobs), participated on his person at the auction by telephone. It was said: «I believe that we [April Jacobs and Gregory Kallimanopulos] solve the price and the picture was sold to us for $ 3 million».

But then, when giving evidence, she said that has not seen the first well, a number of participants, which was Heyler. As representatives of Christie's, Jacobs recently retired from the auction house for personal reasons and moved with his family in Texas.

New York consultant on art Basilica, Stefano (Stefano Basilico) noted that such actions reflect a desire for collectors to fight for the best work, despite the unfavorable situation in the economy. «For the facing of the people are ready to go arbitrarily far away. These are unique items, unique ».

material produced Catherine Onuchin, AI

Sources: bloomberg.com , artinvestment.ru