Dispersal of collections

The [Treaty of Rome] (1957) creating the European Common Market gave each country the right to protect its national treasures. With the new open borders and customs-free market from 1993, which gave no special provisions for works of art, a compromise arrangement was worked out. The 12 governments will substitute their current rules for the export of cultural goods outside the community by granting a "passport" valid throughout the region. Goods will will require a special certificate is they are to be exported beyond the community. This protection covers everything that might possibly be appeal to a collector or a museum, if old or valuable enough. For example, paintings must be at least 50 years old, the work's artist must be dead, and it must be valued at more than $187,500. At the other extreme are archaeological items, bits of dismembered monuments, ancient coins and medals, which need prove no commercial value but must be at least 100 years old. In between lie most other items -- books, furniture, ceramics, textiles, model ships, theatrical material and more -- which must be valued at more than $62,500 per item and variously be over either 50 or 100 years. In addition, goods must be returned if removed illegally from a member country.