The more I think of this story, the more I think that it’s a net problem it is for the town in question.
A New Jersey town just realized it had a multi-million dollar Rodin bust sitting in its town hall https://t.co/UK9FqeOlPV
— Scott Lincicome (@scottlincicome) October 18, 2017
I mean, what are they going to do with the blessed thing? Especially now that it’s suddenly a drain on the annual budget, thanks to the sudden need for extra security. I guess that they could sell it, if they could find a buyer. For that matter: the paper trail for this bust of Napoleon would be sufficient if the bust in question was worth maybe a grand. If it’s worth ten million, then maybe somebody’s going to be interested in contest one or another of the transfers of ownership.
Still, it’s a great story. Especially if you’re the woman who figured out that it really was a sculpture by Rodin. That looks real good on a resume.
It’s very hard to accuse a government entity of theft.
Even when they’re clearly guilty of it (see also: asset forfeiture laws, abuse of).
.
In this case, after the piece being donated posthumously by someone with Rockefeller prominently among her many names…
Even if a claimant’s proof is somehow airtight, they’re just wasting their money seeking redress.
Legally, probably. But a small town city council isn’t going to want to look like the bad guys, if someone has a good claim, that will rally people.