Briddge Group Testimonials

Alan J. Mittelman, of the law firm Spector Gadon & Rosen, P.C.  "I was impressed with Michael Mendelsohn’s knowledge about art collecting, both as a collector and as an advisor.  He presented new and creative ideas in a way that both legal advisors and collectors easily understand."

Scott Small, JD, First Vice President, Mellon Private Wealth Management  "Every serious collector – and his or her advisor – should hear what Michael Mendelsohn has to say.  He knows how collectors think and act because he is one of them."

Art & Antiques “Briddge guides collectors in long-term thinking about their art.”

Roy M. Adams “As a friend and collector much in need of advice, I salute Briddge for invaluable insights and practical advice.  To love art is not necessarily to understand it or a guarantee that you will find the proper assistance to accomplish appropriate planning strategies during your lifetime.  Briddge is an indispensable resource for collectors who are looking to implement a plan for the disposition of their collection that accomplishes their intentions.”

NY Post “Briddge is on a mission to educate the collecting universe – from celebrities to coffee shop owners – about the pitfalls and benefits of collecting and the implications for their heirs.”

Business Week “Face facts. Don’t delude yourself into thinking your kids will cherish what you spent years accumulating…avoid a fire sale.  If you don’t develop a succession plan, your collection could ultimately be carved up at an auction or disappear into eBay’s maw.”

Robert H. Louis, Saul Ewing LLP “This kind of resource is very valuable to lawyers, whose knowledge of the art world is limited.”

The Journal of Accountancy “Briddge stresses that practical estate planning details include instruction about inventorying a collection, having it properly appraised, plan for its disposition and how a collector can avoid losing 70% of the value of the collection.”
 

Art is Long Life is Short Testimonials

Allan and Kendra Daniel, art collectors and dealers  "Life is Short, Art is Long" is a must read for all in the art world.  Whether you are a collector, dealer, antique enthusiastic, or simply a museum visitor, this book is a reliable and professional authority on how to manage art and antiques as you would any other financial asset."

Linda M. Scott Director of Development, American Committee For the Weizmann Institute of Science  “Collecting seems intrinsically tied with philanthropy.   So many philanthropists are collectors…art, cars, artifacts, etc.   This wonderfully informative book takes an objective but understanding look at a very subjective passion and enables collectors to make a plan for their collections as they do for other perhaps less personal assets.   It offers the opportunity to transform feelings that sometimes limit discussion with advisors into informed choices for their life’s passion---Passion with a purpose which most often includes a philanthropic spirit.”

 William Rattner, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Chicago  “This book is an invaluable and unique resource for every serious collector. Everything a collector, and those who advise collectors, has to know to intelligently own and work with valuable collections, is here in one readable volume. This book is a very welcome addition to every art lover’s library.”

”William D. Zabel, Schulte Roth & Zabell LLP  “Every collector of art should read this book which, intelligently and engagingly, advises on the many tax, financial and personal factors affecting a collection.

Roger Ricco and Frank Maresca, Ricco Maresca Gallery  “Great reading as a guide to intelligent collecting, from you first purchase to the most important question, ‘How am I going to maximize my collection when selling becomes a viable option?’”

Audrey Diamond, Art of the Times  “Life is Short” is a must read for all involved in the planning in the art world.  From A to Z, from Advisors to Zealous Collectors.”

Bill Wesnousky, Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley  “I have worked as a financial advisor for over twenty years and own and operate several art galleries.  My involvement with charities in both pf these capacities has been considerable.  With Life is Short, Art is Long, Mr. Mendelsohn has filled a very important information void.  This book can be of tremendous benefit to collectors, their heirs, charities, financial advisors and CPA’s.

Robert H. Louis, Saul Ewing LLP  “This kind of resource is very valuable to lawyers, whose knowledge of the art world is minited.”

Norrma Roth, Top 100 Collector, Art & Antiques Magazine   “Until reading Life is Short, Art is Long I did not fully comprehend how desperately I needed to be planning for my collection in order to preserve its value and plan for the future so it stays together and the integrity of the collection can be preserved.  I am currently considering the sale of a highly appreciated work and it is obvious that I need a trust strategy to avoid a loss of almost a third of the sales proceeds to capital gains taxes.”