Dali Donation

Written by ABC news Saturday, 29 August 2009 20:38

HOUSTON, TX.- An anonymous donor has given several works by Spanish artist Salvador Dali to the Salvation Army in Houston, ABC news reported. The Spanish artist's works were exhibited at a Salvation Army thrift store along with $1 items of used clothing and other goods donated by people. The Dali works range from etchings to paintings, as well as a bronze crucifix, and have been authenticated by a California art gallery. Salvation Army officials are asking bidders to come to the store in person to cut out Internet auction firms that would otherwise take a chunk of the sale proceeds.

Experts, however, say the gallery's certification may not be a sufficient guarantee of authenticity.

The store's managers said the Dali works belonged to an affluent Houston woman, and they invited anyone with doubts about the authenticity of the works to inspect them in person.

The Salvation Army plans to sell the works by the end of this month and has started taking bids.

Bids have reached $5,000 for a Don Quixote lithograph and the crucifix, while offers for the rest of the artworks have reached $3,000.

This is the second time that Dali works have been donated to the Salvation Army. In 2004, several of the Spanish artist's works were donated to the organization and an Internet auction was conducted.

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