Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, the late Armenian international oil tycoon, was a born collector. He began at seven in a Constantinople bazaar, buying Greek coins with a Turkish five-shilling note his father had given him, went on to accumulate one of the world's most prestigious art collections, valued at up to $20 million. His scouts scoured the international art market for him. If they liked anything, Gulbenkian sent an expert; if the expert approved. Gulbenkian went himself. He bought only what he liked, purchasing for pleasure, never for investment or speculation, and he allowed...
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