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“I’ve heard there’s a little place called the Smithsonian,” I chimed in, unable to resist

“Yes, but not just the Smithsonian There are private hout the Baltimore-DC area”

Brief thoughts of the cultural artifacts frouely recalled a line from Full Metal Jacket, “I came to Vietnam to meet people of an ancient culture and kill them”

“Don’t ?” I asked

“Provenance? Yes, but such papers can be forged”

“And they accept them at face value?”

Kirov shrugged “Depends on the price The institution Not all museum curators are created equal Not only that, but small museums and collections are likely to be run by volunteers Typically, understaffed, undertrained, overwhelmed ork, and low on funds”

“How are the sales handled?” Surely, one didn’t buy online or pay with a credit card

“Generally, through private auctions,” he said “Notices of sales go to particular possible bidders You have to know the right people to get in”

“Really?” My eyebrows shot up “Like a Sotheby’s run by thugs?”

“Between you andit at Sotheby’s In fact, there’s a case involving Sotheby’s But for the most part, they do it online, in a secured chat roo and black ital A computer expert would know azed out the“Oh, brave neorld,” he intoned His expression greistful

“No kidding,” I said, scribbling notes

Kirov turned back to me “You asked about ownership Sometimes valuable items can be found in someone’s attic or other places” He made air quotes around the word “found” “In those cases,” he continued “it’s handy if soit on the surface finds the item”

“You mean, to act as a front,” I said

“Yes Exactly”