In the fine art world, documentation of provenance including sales records, is in part for authentication purposes and in part to establish ownership. Some expensive paintings and such are stolen, and you don't want to purchase something to later find out you aren't the legal owner. In some countries in Europe documentation of provenance for expensive art is required by law because of the issue of stolen art.
Last edited by drc; 05-23-2012 at 12:35 PM.
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