Edition: U.S. / Global   By Carol Vogel Published: November 29,
2002  The Americans, At Lower Prices  American collectors and
dealers were anticipating a Christie's catalog of ''Important
American Paintings From a Distinguished Private Collection''
long before it went in the mail. While the auction house did not
put the seller's name on the catalog, everybody in the field
knew the art was being sold by Halsey Minor, the founder of CNET
Networks, a computer and technology Web site. He had been the
biggest buyer of American modernist paintings for four years,
snapping up works by masters like Winslow Homer and Andrew
Wyeth, Marsden Hartley and Stuart Davis at top dollar, and
buying everything through the Gerald Peters Gallery in
Manhattan.  Two years ago Sotheby's lent Mr. Minor $16 million,
using his art collection as collateral, said American painting
experts and auction house officials speaking on condition of
anonymity. Now, to raise money to start another media company,
Mr. Minor is selling the bulk of his