Quote Originally Posted by stevegv8 View Post

JS fine art is in Banbury, I'd guess that Joe, the owner, has either not noticed the serial number issue (which an auctioneer should pick up on really) or, as it's almost certainly been removed a generation or two ago, they felt of no matter (it ought to have been in the sale notes though and wasn't).
Having now removed the sight you wanted, I'd just keep it for plinking around the garden with knowing it getting knocked about wouldn't matter.
That or sell it on as you said was you're original thought.
Which I assume you've have decided to do as you have it listed on free ads now, and if you obtain your asking price versus the hammer price you get you sight for nothing and some change.
Yes I agree with all as you say about the auction house, except the possibility that they may have figured it was a long time ago, so ok to sell, as that would not wash with me, as a suspected stolen item is still a suspected stolen item, and if sold knowingly as such, then that brings into question the moral compass of the seller?

That said, if this is now on free ads, I am hoping the advert indicates that the serial number has been removed? This is still not something I'd do however, which brings me back to the moral compas debacle, but each to his own level of personal pride and individual standards I suppose?