Tragic proceedings - BSA looking to sell precious Norman Rockwell collection

[Eagle1993]

13 hours ago, mrjohns2 said:

Does selling them transfer the trademark rights to the new owner?

Good question.  From what I can see, copyright ownership is separate from physical ownership.  That said, when I searched the copyright owner of various Norman Rockwell Boy Scout paintings, I don't see BSA listed as the copyright owner. Saxon Industries and B&B Communication Corp are listed as the owner of several.

[RememberSchiff]

Previously, as part of its bankruptcy plan of reorganization, BSA’s artwork was transferred to the BSA Settlement Trust.

Hon. Barbara J. Houser (Ret.), the Trustee overseeing the administration and distribution of the funds to survivors, ordered the start of the liquidation process last week, picked Heritage Auctions to handle the sale, and remarked  “These Survivors have waited decades to be heard and acknowledged, and the sale of these works will aid us in providing a measure of justice to them. Buyers should be proud that they will be contributing to rebuilding lives and helping to right past wrongs.”

“Heritage is deeply grateful to have been entrusted with what is undoubtedly one of the most significant collections of Golden Age illustrations to emerge on the market in recent years,” said Aviva Lehmann, Heritage’s Senior Vice President of American Art. “We are honored to present this museum-caliber collection, which not only celebrates the artistry of Norman Rockwell and other luminaries of the Golden Age but also embodies the rich cultural heritage at the core of our mission as America’s largest auction house. Equally important to us is the privilege of supporting the Survivors, underscoring our commitment to both the arts and social responsibility.”

..."At confirmation of the plan, the Trust’s compensation fund was valued at approximately $2.5 billion. Other causes of action against third parties may increase the fund further. To date, the Trust has paid more than $25 million to over 6,800 Survivors." The art collection itself has been valued at $130 million.

Reminder, the collection is on view at the Medici Museum of Art until this Sunday September 1. 

Sources 8/28-29/2024:

https://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2024/08/medici-scouting-for-a-new-collection/

https://www.ha.com/heritage-auctions-press-releases-and-news/heritage-to-auction-boy-scouts-of-america-masterpieces-to-compensate-survivors-of-childhood-sexual-abuse.s?releaseId=5034

[RememberSchiff]

Update:

"Heritage’s November 15 American Art Signature^® Auction will include 25 landmark works from the Boy Scouts’ collection. Among the historic lot: Norman Rockwell’s Homecoming and Beyond the Easel (the latter a self-portrait placing the artist among his Scouting students); Joseph Christian Leyendecker’s Boy Scouts Signaling with Flags, a Saturday Evening Post cover from September 1911; Monte Crews’ Boys’ Life cover 1939 World’s Fair and Joseph Csatari’s 1976 Scout Handbook Eighth Edition cover.

...

In total, Heritage will offer 59 of Rockwell’s most beloved Boy Scouts pieces, all of which were included in the BSA’s collection during a lengthy exhibition at The American Scouting Collection at the Medici Museum of Art in Howland, Ohio. Over the summer, those works were transferred to Heritage, which will continue offering additional artwork from the Trust in future auctions."

 

Source with photos:

https://intelligentcollector.com/auction-of-boy-scouts-art-collection-to-benefit-survivors-of-childhood-sexual-abuse/

 

[RememberSchiff]

CBS News Texas report with comments from Trustee Barbara Houser.