Julian Radcliffe and the Art Loss Register Keep a Sharp Eye on Stolen Art
Julian G.Y. Radcliffe has the type of job that a lends itself to a novel writer's flights of fancy. He is the founder and chairman of Art Loss Register, a database that tracks stolen art. Forbes profiles the gentleman with the interesting career whose database of pilfered paintings, jewelry, sculpture, watches and antiques lists around 180,000 objects. Radcliffe relives his biggest score, helping to recover Cézanne's "Bouilloire et fruits," which was later sold at auction for around $30 million. Radcliffe persuaded the holder of the Cézanne and six stolen other artworks to return the Cezanne in a deal that let him keep the other artworks (worth around $1 million).
When things go missing, people come to Radcliffe and the Art Loss Register. For a small registration fee and sometimes a contract that includes some fairly steep recovery fees (20% of the value of the missing object), Radcliffe and his 30 employees are on the case. The Art Loss Register is paid by 40 auction houses to run artwork through their database before upcoming auctions (Sotheby's, Christie's and four other auction houses put up some of the money to start the company). For individuals, the company charges a $40 fee per inquiry.
Charlie Sheen Gets Back To His Roots
The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Visit the Maldive Islands Before It's Too Late
H&M's Plus-Size Model Jennie Runk Says She Chose To Gain Weight
Jury Foreman: '18 Days Of Testimony Hurt' Jodi Arias
Okla. Sheriff's Deputy Finds Dog Guarding Body Buried Under Destroyed Home
Reptiles Make Home in UK Man's Cable Box
New Trayvon Martin Evidence Features Incriminating Photos, Texts From Teen
Springtime Budget-Busters -- Savings Experiment
Is This Woman Too Pretty To Work?
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Mariah Carey Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction on Good Morning America
Parents Face Tough Choice When Tornadoes Bear Down
Bridge Collapses In Washington State
The Story Behind Hairspray
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
Rapper Accused Of Faking His Own Death To Escape Payments
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Helen Flanagan Launches PETA Campaign As Only She Knows How
LISTEN: Terror Inside Elementary School As Tornado Hits
Surgeons Remove Giant Hairball From Tiger
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
LOOK: Photoshop Mistake Is Seriously Cringeworthy
'DWTS' Shakeup Ahead?
Pope Francis Says All Who Do Good Are Redeemed - Atheists Included
PHOTO: Dog Guards Dead Victim's Body After Oklahoma Tornado Disaster
REVEALED: Disturbing Trend In Human Intelligence
Man Reportedly Beheaded In Brutal Assault In London Neighborhood
The World's Most Powerful Women
Rescuers Continue Search For Tornado Survivors