Debt collectors seize works from Penlee House Gallery
Two paintings seized from gallery while ownership established
Following an ownership dispute, two paintings were removed from display at Penlee House Gallery and Museum in Penzance, Cornwall, by enforcement officers for debt collection agency the Sheriffs Office.
Staff from the debt collection agency went to the museum on 30 July and, after protracted discussions with the museum’s director, Alison Bevan, took the Old Pilot by William Wainwright and Knitting by Walter Langley. The Old Pilot was returned to the gallery as Museums Journal went to press.
The Sheriffs Office claimed that the paintings were owned by their client’s debtor, despite the museum showing the agency’s officers paperwork indicating that the Wainwright had been transferred to Penzance Town Council by gift on 1 July 2010.
The museum also claimed that ownership of the Langley was no longer with the debtor, but with another party that was loaning the painting to the museum.
A spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office said: “Two paintings were seized in accordance with a high court writ.”
Police were called to the museum after Bevan told the debt collection agency’s officers that she could not release the paintings.
Bevan said the officers became “rude and aggressive” and threatened her with a prison sentence if she did not cooperate. After the police arrived, Bevan handed over the paintings.
The spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office said: “My enforcement officers always act in a professional and courteous manner and it was no different in this case.”
She added that staff at Penlee House had refused to cooperate, which was why police attendance was required.
Bevan said she intended to register a formal complaint over her treatment. The museum filed a claim to retrieve the paintings, which were in the Sheriffs Office’s storage facilities, until the determination of ownership.
Bevan had expressed concern that the debt collection agency’s storage facilities might not meet museum standards.
The Sheriffs Office declined to respond to questions on this issue.
Bevan added that she had received tremendous support from colleagues and organisations including the Museums Association, who had offered advice and help on the matter.
Staff from the debt collection agency went to the museum on 30 July and, after protracted discussions with the museum’s director, Alison Bevan, took the Old Pilot by William Wainwright and Knitting by Walter Langley. The Old Pilot was returned to the gallery as Museums Journal went to press.
The Sheriffs Office claimed that the paintings were owned by their client’s debtor, despite the museum showing the agency’s officers paperwork indicating that the Wainwright had been transferred to Penzance Town Council by gift on 1 July 2010.
The museum also claimed that ownership of the Langley was no longer with the debtor, but with another party that was loaning the painting to the museum.
A spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office said: “Two paintings were seized in accordance with a high court writ.”
Police were called to the museum after Bevan told the debt collection agency’s officers that she could not release the paintings.
Bevan said the officers became “rude and aggressive” and threatened her with a prison sentence if she did not cooperate. After the police arrived, Bevan handed over the paintings.
The spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office said: “My enforcement officers always act in a professional and courteous manner and it was no different in this case.”
She added that staff at Penlee House had refused to cooperate, which was why police attendance was required.
Bevan said she intended to register a formal complaint over her treatment. The museum filed a claim to retrieve the paintings, which were in the Sheriffs Office’s storage facilities, until the determination of ownership.
Bevan had expressed concern that the debt collection agency’s storage facilities might not meet museum standards.
The Sheriffs Office declined to respond to questions on this issue.
Bevan added that she had received tremendous support from colleagues and organisations including the Museums Association, who had offered advice and help on the matter.