SHORT TAKES : Sell Art, Pay Debts, Hunts Told
From Times Staff and Wire Service Reports
NEW YORK —
Brothers Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt, the former Dallas billionaires, are under orders to sell their Greek and Roman art collection to pay back taxes and other debts.
The ancient Greek vases, Roman bronzes and coins have been valued by Sotheby’s at more than $20 million and will be sold by the auction house in New York and London during the next year, The New York Times reported today.
Most of the items will be offered June 19-22.
The Hunt brothers’ empire collapsed after a failed effort to corner the world silver market a decade ago.
Under a court-ordered plan, all their personal assets will be sold within six years to pay the Internal Revenue Service and other creditors.