Department of (Possible) Corrections: The Big-Money Auction Buyers UPDATED

Having reported yesterday on the big-money auction buyers identified in articles in the NY Times and London Telegraph, I've now been getting e-mails suggesting that some of those deep-pocketed collectors did not actually purchase the objects connected to them in those reports.

Carol Vogel had announced that Laurence Graff "is thought to have bought Jeff Koons's 'Diamond (Blue),'" and Steve Cohen "is said to have bought several artworks, among them Francis Bacon's 1969 "Second Version of Study for Bullfight No. 1," for $45.9 million." She also said, "The Los Angeles financier Eli Broad took home Mr. Koons's 'Hanging Heart' for $23.5 million."

I have now been unequivocally informed, by a source who is absolutely in a position to know, that Steve Cohen did NOT buy the Bacon "Bullfight." I'm trying to check further about the other supposed buyers, but the day before Thanksgiving is not a great time to get hold of people. I'll update this if any more news comes my way. (SEE BELOW)

I had assumed, the Times being the Times, that these tips came from highly reliable sources. I also assume that if that has proven not to be the case, corrections will ensue.

Now, before I get myself into any more journalistic trouble, I think I'll get myself into a culinary morass and go stuff my turkey.

UPDATE: While I was elbow-deep in stuffing, I got a call from Karen Denne, chief communications officer for the Broad Foundation, who told me firsthand what I've been hearing secondhand all day: Neither Eli Broad nor his foundation purchased "Hanging Heart."

It is theoretically possible that Cohen and Broad bought the works in question, but want to keep quiet about it. But these are both collectors who have in the past been forthright about disclosing their art holdings. I have every reason to believe the knowledge and veracity of my well-placed sources on this.

If I'm right, the interesting question, on this Thanksgiving Eve, is: Who has been stuffing Carol Vogel full of misinformation, and why did she have enough confidence in these "tips" to serve them up hot to a gossip-hungry readership?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!