OF THE PALACES YOU HAVE VISITED, WHICH COLLECTION IMPRESSES YOU MOST?

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Moscow World Fine Art Fair May 29–June 4, 2007 011.44.78.7984.0956 (U.K.) 212.982.5429 (U.S.) www.moscow-faf.com   Partridge Fine Art Ltd. London, 011.44.20.7629.0834 www.partridgefineart.com Victoria and Albert Museum London, 011.44.20.7942.2000 www.vam.ac.uk Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, 011.7.495.230.5500 www.kempinski-moscow.com

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Without a doubt, the collections of Her Majesty The Queen. These collections were begun long ago and added to by each sovereign, so that one can truly say they encompass the best of the best.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST CAREER MISTAKE?

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Not working for Partridge sooner and having the pleasure of buying beautiful things with someone else’s money and not having the problem of where to put them. [George I japanned bureau cabinet, left, c. 1715, attributed to John Belchier, blue and gold japanning and carved giltwood, Partridge Fine Arts, will be at the Moscow Fair.] If I could afford to buy all the lovely things I see, I would have to acquire more and more houses—rather like Madame de Pompadour. Following her death, it took two years of sales to disperse all her superb collections.

MOST VALUABLE ADVICE

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Collecting is more fun when you are knowledgeable. All art you choose to love and buy must give you a gut reaction of some kind. If you find you like something and want to have more examples, try to learn all you can about that subject and become an expert.

YOUR NEXT PLANNED PURCHASE

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I am tempted by one or two things I saw at Maastricht and which we may buy for Partridge. If I tell you, I have no doubt the price will go up or the object of my desire will be snapped up by someone else, so I must keep it a secret.