US Ban in Ivory - Not all bad news

[Runjeet Singh]

David,

I understand your scepticism and frustration for these new laws. But I started somewhere, just a young collector, and I successfully obtained a CITES certificate with the help of a established dealer in the UK.

I am sure if we look back at this thread in 12 months, and probably wonder what all the fuss was about.

I am happy to help where I can, and I know Thor has also offered his guidance.

Regards,
Runjeet

P.S. I'm not sure I like the tag of 'regular dealer'! I prefer 'seasoned collector and experienced dealer'.

[David]

Originally Posted by Akaalarms

David,

I understand your scepticism and frustration for these new laws. But I started somewhere, just a young collector, and I successfully obtained a CITES certificate with the help of a established dealer in the UK.

I am sure if we look back at this thread in 12 months, and probably wonder what all the fuss was about.

I am happy to help where I can, and I know Thor has also offered his guidance.

Regards,
Runjeet

P.S. I'm not sure I like the tag of 'regular dealer'! I prefer 'seasoned collector and experienced dealer'.

Runjeet, forgive me, but you have a website, linked in your profile, where you regularly sell edged weapons. I didn't mean it as a bad word nor to over-shadow the fact that you are also a seasoned collector, merely stating a reality. ;-)
Most of us here are merely collectors who might occasionally wish to dispose of an item in our collections for one reason or another. Most of us here don't specifically collect ivory items and only occasionally encounter it on weapons we either want or own. Most of us here are not going to want to jump through all the hoops necessary to obtain a CITES certification for the very few times we might want to dispose of an ivory decorated sword or knife. And most of us here in the USA are concerned that we will no longer be able to obtain ANY weapon from overseas that uses elephant ivory because that is outright banned regardless of ANY proper paperwork. Frankly i get the large majority of my collections from overseas. Unless that part of the new rules change this will indeed still be a problem worth fussing about in 12 months i'm afraid.

[Runjeet Singh]

No offence taken David, I'm proud of my chosen profession!

As far as the new Ivory laws are concerned, I suppose 'the proof will be in the pudding' - does that translate to American (or the rest of the world)!!

Regards,
Runjeet

[Battara]

After much consideration, I would suggest that American collectors and dealers contact their representatives and senators, even the president to make sure they at least hear our voice regarding the problem of "across state lines" issue and the problem of providing documentation for pre-ban ivory.

Outside of that, I completely agree with saving God's creatures and stopping the illegal ivory trade.

[David]

That's not a bad idea José…and i think we all can agree that the senseless slaughter of elephants for their ivory needs to stop.

[drac2k]

The U.S. ban on ivory is only the first step;" Federal agents ,art experts, and museum curators," raided the home of a 91 year old collector in Indiana and seized the collection that he had acquired over 8 decades.The man has not been charged, but the "experts," are determining what items should be given back to the "Indian tribes, Russians, Chinese, Etc.."
Need I say more ?

[spiral]

Heres an article about it Drac2k... explains the recent background of the action taken against Amateur archaeologists/dealers/collectors of American cultural artefacts.

spiral

linky