If you're interested in collecting, start with something you love.

We got into dealing because no one understood what we were looking for. We were interested in letters and photos relating to opera stars ? we graduated to materials relating to opera, then to musical scores and eventually into working notes and drafts, as well as the performing arts in general.

I like taking an obscure reference to something and tracking it down. A letter is not just a piece of paper, it draws you into an artist's life. And that's the most thrilling part.

A lot of the person you knew and love may still be there.

I love Siberians because they are so beautiful to look at. They are certainly not pushovers, though; you have to earn their respect and their love. They are very territorial and are very clean, which make them such great pets.

I love being Italian.