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The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

An Expert Explains How to Avoid Common Artwork Scams

By Gayle Tate

art scamScams? Let me think about that. Scams? Wait for it … Yup, the fine art market in America has scams. I should be asking, “next question?” but Len, in his supreme kindness, asked me to submit something about scams. Can anyone say “can of worms”? (Perhaps I should say “scam of worms.”)

Over the years, I’ve been approached by a number of people looking to invest in art who sought to use our authentication & appraisal services to find out if they should be remorseful or not about an artwork they just purchased, especially if it was on a recent cruise ship vacation bound for fairyland.

Like the cruise, the goods they usually offer at their “auctions” or galleries are objects of pure fantasy. Common Picasso or Chagall lithographs, worth $2000 are being sold for $30,000 to unsuspecting people who wish to splurge on a simple vacation. Now, if you have an extra $28,000 to waste, bravo for you; come to my office and buy some things from me.

Beware of Description Fudge

To add to the pot of misery, is the age old “description fudge.” These are descriptions given by fine art sellers who have perfected a line of lingo that stays just inside the purview of legalese, but are so misleading that they’re a sucker’s setup for big rip-offs.

Let me illustrate: one such typical description is “this is a Lithograph (note the capital “L”) of a Picasso Original (note the capital “O”), Signed and Numbered.” Well, that certainly sounds official, doesn’t it? But, let’s break it down:

1. “Lithograph.” It is probably true that the artwork being offered is a “lithograph,” meaning that it is a multiple image, printed from a lithographic plate. It might mean that the lithograph was done by the hand of the artist, personally drawn on a lithographic stone or plate and then the artist was involved in its printing process. The trouble is, this term also covers a huge variety of printing methods of today, from photo-reproductions like the cover of your favorite glamor magazine, to hand-done photo-mechanical prints done by the high-school kid down the street.

2. “of a Picasso Original.” This highly misleading but perfectly legal phrase actually means “a reproduction taken from a photograph of a Picasso original.” Of all the terms that have caused injury in the art field, this is the most common. There are, of course, original Picasso lithographs, executed by the artist’s own hands, and printed in small editions that were verified and recorded in a proper catalog raisonn. These have genuine value. The others have no significant value whatsoever.

3. “signed and numbered.” This is the icing on the cheesecake from hell. Such “certificates” seldom say who signed it, nor do they adequately describe how many “numbers” there are. Is this the only edition? Is the numbering done serially (say, from 1/50 to 50/50 for an edition described as a true edition of 50)?

4. Bonus observation: Often a print is touted as being an “artist’s proof” or an “H.C.” (“hors commerce”), or that part of an edition reserved for the print’s collaborators. The French term is often translated “for the trade” or “not for sale.” The size of the editions for “E.A.” (“Epreuve d’Artiste,” the French term for “artist’s proof”), “A.P.” or “H.C.” were originally conceived to mean a small part of a printed edition to be presented to the collaborators of the artwork, or for the personal use of the artist. These were usually not more than 10% of the size of the regular edition. However, it’s amazing how many prints we see with the annotation “A.P.”, “E.A.” and “H.C.”. Certain prints we have personally examined have these notations on as many as 1000 prints. This is a serious breach of printing ethics, and highly misleading to those who think they are getting a very small and dedicated edition.

When In Doubt, Get Clarification!

In the end, it’s okay to ask a seller for clarification of any terms or phrases you don’t understand, or have suspicions about. If you can get such clarification in writing, so much the better. If buying art online, be sure to get such clarifications by letter, or email; if there is something fishy going on, the seller will think twice about completing the sale.

Reputable dealers are always happy to provide such letters and guarantees. It’s not worth risking one’s reputation, as no dealer can stay in business long if he is unscrupulous. Regardless, anyone buying artwork for more than a few dollars should exercise common sense and due diligence, as the difference can be very substantial.

About the Author: Gayle is the founding owner and director of G. B. Tate & Sons Fine Art. His services include authentication and appraisal of fine art, and he has worked with federal authorities and art insurance companies to solve and prevent art fraud issues and theft in the marketplace.

Photo Credit: Wolfiewolf

February 28, 2018

Comments

  1. 1

    Doable Finance says

    There are scams in everything else so why not in art. Fakes are in abundance whereas original can be only one.

  2. 2

    nikki says

    I have some Milbert Amerique Septemtrionale lithograph pictures. How do I know if they are the lithographs or photos of lithographs? I know the pictures I have are quite old, near the turn of the 1900 century. If not lithographs, would the pictures of lithographs valuable?

  3. 3

    Ken william says

    Hi, I have two old lithos: one is 29 x30 Picasso signed 11- 1955 and the Miri is 18 x13 signed with a code on back h.c. How do I know what it’s worth and if it’s real?

    • 4

      Gayle B. Tate says

      Ken,

      Unfortunately, the language used by many purveyors of artworks is vague and/or misleading. This has caused many buyers to invest money in valueless items that will never net them a return.

      If you can send us good sharp detailed images of your Picasso and Miro, we might be able to help you sort this out.

      Send them to us at gbt@gbtate.com

      Thanks again for your question and comments…

      (Mr.) Gayle B. Tate
      G. B. Tate & Sons Fine Art (www.gbtate.com)
      gbt@gbtate.com
      307 399-3316

  4. 5

    Ali Kappel says

    This was very informative. Thank you for sharing your expertise on a subject like this that’s not well covered on the Internet. Anyway, I found it very helpful!

  5. 6

    Kirk W. says

    Keep on writing, great job!

  6. 7

    Tnandy says

    I’ve got (what I’m told) is the original “Dogs Playing Poker”……I wouldn’t let it go for less than a million.

    • 8

      Len Penzo says

      Put it on eBay, Andy! Hey … you never know.

    • 9

      RRice says

      You fell for that too.huh? Welcome to the club…

  7. 10

    Javy sierra says

    There was a high end store in Nogales Az from 1924 brakers, they liquidated everything from the store, they had a pile of prints or lithograph so i picked the ones that I recognized and were in good shape, there are some Picasso, miro, Klee, matisse, most are numbered , how can I tell if they are authentic. One was in a frame and is signed and numbered, by Bernard buffet, and is the only lithograph that has the water mark arches

    • 11

      Len Penzo says

      Javy: Send your question directly to Gayle Tate at: gbt@gbtate.com

      You can also call him at: (307) 399-3316

  8. 12

    Christine Nicholson says

    I have been holding on to a Picasso Les Fleurs piece of artwork for 25 years that was given to me by an elderly woman. I know it is not an original as that is being held Tate.org UK. I don’t know if this is a Litho or just a plane copy. It has texture to the art.

    • 13

      Len Penzo says

      Christine: I recommend you contact Mr. Tate directly. Here is the link to his art appraisal business: https://www.gbtate.com/

  9. 14

    Jennifer Edmondson says

    I have the sketchbook by pablo picasso November 1955 to December 1955 green cover all the pics and a introduction. Can u tell me about it and is it of any value

    • 15

      Alex says

      Feel free to email me pictures. I would possibly be interested in purchasing it from you if you are looking to sell.
      alexlaf3@hotmail.com

  10. 16

    glen mobilia says

    Are AVC fine art auctions reputable? They apparently have been auctioning fine art on TV for 15 years.

    • 17

      El Scott says

      I am finding out, the expensive way, that you need to be very careful about what you are buying from them. Stick to Original works of are and research sales prices for those Artists before your purchase. I have overbid on Picasso, Durer, Giacometti, and Rembrandt prints. Also, a Charles Delporte original oil on panel. Luckily, I have done well on a few Kef!s that have more than made up for the earlier mistakes. Good luck!

  11. 18

    Joshua Palmisano says

    Hi, I recently purchased a Keith Harding “Montreaux Jazz Festival 1983″lithograph. Signed by the artist with a certificate of authenticity. How can I tell if it’s real?

Trackbacks

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    March 3, 2018 at 4:16 am

    […] reading about how to avoid common art scams, our very own Tennessee Andy shared this bit of exciting […]

  2. Black Coffee: Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200 -- Business Updates says:
    March 3, 2018 at 6:51 am

    […] reading about how to avoid common art scams, our very own Tennessee Andy shared this bit of exciting […]

  3. How to Add Art to Your Investment Portfolio – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    August 2, 2019 at 4:15 am

    […] a deal that seems too good to be true, be cautious about taking it. That could mean two things: the artwork is a fake, or the value is expected to drop. Your art investment plan will help you avoid investing in a […]

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