ChrisW

Its a scary world when museums are no longer able to expand or take care of their collections due to limited space and funding. I understand that's always been an issue, but its happening faster and more frequently too. Many of the private small museums in smaller towns are going defunct and selling off because they are simply not able to compete with things like the internet or other competing forms of entertainment. Museums are a bit of a dying breed I am afraid. If you've ever watched "American Pickers" (yes, its reality TV), then you'll often see the guys in it picking (buying from) old museums that have closed permanently. I only ever knew about this because my friend owns a store and some of his wares are from museums in this situation. The document I knew existed, it just took a little of my old legalese skills to find it. In the article I linked above, I found this interesting tidbit which puts some numbers specifically to the Smithsonian: "Smithsonian disposals According to NCP data, from FY1987 through FY2002, 15 Smithsonian museums deaccessioned an average of 62,266 objects and specimens per year (Table 7). NMNH accounted for the bulk of these deaccessions — 56,784 items per year. Cultural history museums deaccessioned an annual average of 2,458 items, and art museums 449 items. "

As far as I know, any museums that are associated with the federal government have to adhere to the following rule when it comes to downsizing the parts of their collection that are not being exhibited. I have never been to a Smithsonian sale, but I have a close friend who has twice. I found the statute that explains this: "(h) CONVEYANCE OF MUSEUM OBJECTS.—The Secretary may convey museum objects that the Secretary determines are no longer needed for museum purposes, without monetary consideration but subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary, to private institutions exempt from Federal taxation under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501©(3)) and to non-Federal governmental entities if the Secretary determines that the recipient is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of natural or cultural heritage and is qualified to manage the property, prior to any conveyance under this subsection and subsection (g)." As for the interpretation of this statute, it means that essentially ANYONE can buy objects being liquidated from a federal collection. They call this process "Deaccession;" and usually the museum will see if another institution wants it first. But in practice, only federal employees of any degree are allowed to attend these events.. at least for the Smithsonian I was told by said friend. The Smithsonian hosts their own sale; many state-owned or other museums will yield the items to an auction house like Christy's or Sotheby's. Further reading can be had here on the touchy subject of museum deaccession: https://www.si.edu/content/opanda/docs/Rpts2005/05.04.ConcernAtTheCore.Disposal.pdf

It depends on whether or not if they're federally associated, like the Smithsonian. If they are, then they probably do have a sale. If they're not, then no such rule exists for private museums. Best bet is the Smithsonian, you wouldn't believe the volume of things that passes through these sales.

While I love and care for each of my blades, I have to view them with a certain detachment. I know its best to not leave them to my heirs someday, so my plan is to treat my collection as my retirement, only leaving a scant few behind for possible interested heirs. The rest? It should be sold to new collectors whose interest will be in preservation. The money to be benefiting me and my loved ones. Much as I love museums, all the points brought up are very sadly true. Fun fact: if you are any kind of government employee (this includes teacher or state office workers), you can attend any federal museum's yearly inventory sale: this includes the Smithsonian! I have heard many a person obtaining good items this way.

I understand the contrast you're going for with the blade and the flowers. But I almost want to say it'd be just as elegant without the flowers. The show IS the blade after all. I'd even remove the tsuka to have just the metal components stand in relation to the fog.

Ugh. This guy should be locked up; he's clearly an animal.

To be honest, that assumption can be made of any unpapered sword until looked at in a Shinsa setting. And we find that even sometimes the old Shinsa papers are not legitimate. But as JP pointed out, it does speak many words when the seller says that. Just automatically assume that they're gimei at the very least, if not very good copies/moderns. The only surefire way would be to do a metal composition test to: 1. Prove its actual tamehagane and 2. Prove there's no radioactive particles in it (proof that they're pre-atomic testing). That test is very expensive for now and also comes at the cost of taking some steel from the sword.

Looks like a repurposed menuki.

Fake enough to fool those that know enough to be dangerous to their own money.

Terribly sad fate for something that may have survived 700 or more years to be destroyed by ignorance.

Eh, well, I think the design is pretty and well-executed in terms of what its attempting to show. As to its authenticity, I make no claims of having knowledge. I just think its nice looking.

I looked at the rest of the guys site, he's got several NFS pieces. So this is more like his way of displaying his collection than actually selling. Pretty horimono piece on it though.

That's a REALLY pretty horimono on it, done very well. The filing looks strange to me, but I am not an expert.

^What Dave said. A lovely blade also!

Actually, I believe it was the result of Wagner and his opera that depicted this. Found this on history.com: "The popular image of the strapping Viking in a horned helmet dates back to the 1800s, when Scandinavian artists like Sweden’s Gustav Malmström included the headgear in their portrayals of the raiders. When Wagner staged his “Der Ring des Nibelungen” opera cycle in the 1870s, costume designer Carl Emil Doepler created horned helmets for the Viking characters, and an enduring stereotype was born."

Nakago cleaning makes me very unhappy for the blades!

Your best bet to get it looked at is a show. You can probably ask several reputable dealers for their impression on it there. What blade are you talking about also? Have we seen it here?

You should get people some basic measurements to help with understanding them more! Nagasa, etc.

A charlatan fishing for a fool, in essence.

I like the shape of the blade as well!

Different cultures yes, but that does not shield their actions from the rules of the media they're using to make a sale. When in Rome, as the saying goes.

Goes to show some people never change.

Shameful, disgusting behavior. If he had any sense of decency, he would have chalked it up as a learning experience and honored his seller's agreement. But as you said, now you have doubts if the blade was as he said! So maybe you dodged a bullet there? I would say, take the money you would have spent there and invest in a blade from one of the sellers here. They are far more reputable and forthcoming about their stuff. Or sellers like Ed at Yakiba or Nihonto Art, etc.

Ah. Well dang. I think with that sori and length, it might have been a match.

Hate to be a bother Ray, but could we get a sori measurement?