[lbo-talk] (In)conspicuous consumption?

[Michael Smith]

On Saturday 22 December 2007 16:00:18 Michael McIntyre wrote:
>  the Portinari that was
> stolen is the single most identifiable painting by a Brazilian
> artist.  Think of it: you now have this work in your possession.  The
> pleasure of owning this work cannot come from private contemplation
> alone - you must let it be known to others that you possess it.

Are you sure of that? I wonder whether you may not be underestimating 
the collecting mania. 

Or for that matter, simple desire. There are objects I would give a great 
deal to possess, even on the understanding that no one else could ever 
know. Any snippet of music in JS Bach's hand, for example.  A little 
17th-century Italian pipe organ with split sharps (they're tiny, it would fit 
in my living room). The manuscript of any Trollope novel. Any painting 
by Poussin. 

And I'm not even a collector at all!