‘ROAD’ RAGE: Appraiser David Bonsey (right) is suing for a $600,000 commission on Stephen Kates’ cello. (
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An “Antiques Roadshow” appraiser says the widow of an award-winning cellist should have to face the music after stiffing him on the $6 million sale of one of her late hubby’s instruments.
David Bonsey, who appears regularly on the popular PBS series, filed suit yesterday against Mary Louise Kates, claiming she owes him a $600,000 commission after hiring him to sell an 18th-century cello she inherited following the death of her husband, Stephen.
Bonsey’s suit says the cello, made in Venice, Italy, in 1739, was part of a “valuable collection of musical instruments and bows” amassed by Stephen, who at age 23 won the silver medal at the 1966 Tchaikovsky International Cello Competition in Moscow.
He went on to tour as a soloist and played with most of the country’s major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic.
He also performed at the White House for Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and other world leaders.
He recorded for several labels and taught at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore before dying of lymphoma in 2003.
After Stephen’s death, Bonsey says he helped Mary Louise sell off most of her husband’s collection through Skinner Auctioneers in Boston, where he runs the Fine Musical Instruments Department.
Bonsey’s Manhattan federal court suit says Mary Louise “orally agreed” during an August 2010 phone call that he would serve as her “exclusive agent” to sell the cello and get a 10 percent commission.
But he alleges that Mary Louise went behind his back and sold the cello in 2011 .
Bonsey also claims that Mary Louise has “failed and refused” to pay his commission, “despite his repeated demands.”
His suit against her cites grounds including breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
Neither Mary Louise nor her lawyer returned requests for comment.