BRITISH WORKS OF ART

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 8

BRITISH WORKS OF ART

PROTEST AGAINST EXPORT Part of the payment of our war debt to America is being made in works of art and objects of historic interest. L that the payment might be made ia'something we can better do without (writes Lieutenant-commander Kenworthy, ILK. M.P.. in the London ‘Star’). . . There is a steady shipment of paintings by the great English masters. Sometimes whole buildings cross the Atlantic. The latest example is the historic Broadhcmbury Gran#;, in Devonshire. It is to be demolished and re-erected in the United States. Tho Grange is not only one of the finest remaining examples of Tudor architecture, but its carved panelling, us Sir Martin Conway has pointed out, is among the finest examples of its kind remaining. , A couple ol years ago the historic Warwick Priory was bought by a dealer, demolished,. and tho stones shipped over to Ameiica and ihero recreated. Nor arc citizens ol the United fatales the only ones who pay us the compliment of acquiring our native art treasures. Wealthy Brazilians and Argentines arc ontciing the market. Ancient books, including the _ first folio editions of our greatest writers, pictures, genuine plate armor—a great rarity these days—are leaving these shores.

Fortunately Stonehenge has been preserved, and a similar attempt to buy Sulgravo Manor, the birthplace of George Washington, and ship it to God’s Own Country has been frustrated. If it would really cement AngloAmerican friendship, I would be prepared to present America with Sulgravo Manor or any authentic home of one of tho original Pilgrim ’Fathers, but I object 19 part of the national patrimony being bought over our heads and this country being deprived of it for ever for commercial gain. Italy is a far poorer country financially than England, and yet we must, admit that she is far richer in works of art. Nevertheless, for many years *ow Itaiy has had a law in fore© pro-