Report today:

One of the most enthusiastic bidders was Victor Baturin, the brother-in-law of the mayor of Moscow and a member of one of Russia’s wealthiest families. He spent almost £700,000 on items which included a pair of Jacob mahogany consoles for £170,000, a copy of Napoleon’s coronation book for £110,000 and a portrait of Napoleon’s favourite sister, Pauline, by Jean-François Bosio, for £55,000.

The Mayor of New York is one of the richest men in America. He became Mayor after he had become one of those richest men. Gospodin Baturin is a member of one of the richest families in Russia because his sister is married to the Mayor of Moscow. An apparently slight difference which tells us a great deal about the difference between the two countries.