Thank you in advance, billa.
As many people know, there are more or less secret bonsai collectors in the country, whose magnificent collections are not open to the general public, but only to a small, select number of friends. For ex. one of these people, who would certainly have the capital, might buy Arthur's Azalea collection in part; they could not be bothered with any trees except the top ones, i.e. those of world class. No need to say that we, the general public, and especially the bonsai growers and -artists, would never see those exceptional Azaleas again. However, we'd be left with the second choice ones and the young plants, and that is something.
On the other hand, if Arthur agreed to break up his collection, the best trees might be bought by individual bonsai growers or by clubs, or donated to the NBPCA (let's dream on....), and thus could be shown to the general public, for their continuing enjoyment.
I hope Arthur has thought of those questions.
And more than aanything I hope that if the Azalea collection is bought by a collector, that he or she turns out to be a philantropist.......
Lisa
