Animation Art Fraud (LONG)
Stephen W. Worth
* Introduction
* Background Information
* Complete Listing Of All Known Forgeries In This Batch
* What You Can Do To Avoid Animation Art Fraud
____________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Vintage Ink & Paint, the leading authority on animation art conservation
and authentication is providing the following information as a service to
the collecting community. An illustrated pamphlet is being prepared for
release in January. More information on how to obtain a copy will be
posted when the brochure becomes available.
Vintage Ink & Paint offers a free article entitled, HOW CAN I TELL IF IT'S
REAL: AUTHENTICATING ANIMATION ART via e-mail. For a copy, send your
requests to: vin...@lightside.com
If you have reason to believe that you may have been offered any
fraudulant artwork, or if you have unknowingly purchased any of the pieces
described below, please contact Stephen Worth at vin...@lightside.com
____________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A little more than two years ago, an animation art gallery in Los Angeles
purchased a large collection of animation art for approximately $70,000.
The collection included about fifty animation drawings, cels, background
paintings and hand-drawn model sheets reputed to be from both the Warner
Bros. and Disney Studios. Subsequently, it was discovered that none of the
artwork included in the sale was authentic. The gallery was able to
recover their money, but was forced to return the illegitimate art to the
seller. At that time, the gallery was assured by the seller that he would
not offer the artwork for sale again. Since then, several pieces from this
batch have surfaced at estate auctions and swap meets across the country.
In December of 1994, a large number of these pieces were offered to a
Chicago animation art dealer by a group of individuals which included at
least one of the principals from the failed Los Angeles deal. Although
many of these individuals later claimed to be merely innocent
intermediaries, none of them were willing to provide addresses or phone
numbers to the Chicago dealer-- all communications were made through a
single pager number. This group was informed that all of the artwork that
they were offering for sale were forgeries, but unfortunately, none of the
artwork was able to be recovered and destroyed.
These forgeries are easily identified by their extensive use of rubber
stamps, crimped seals, approval initials, and hand-written and typewritten
notations. None of the artwork is on standard studio paper, and none of
the rubber stamps and marginal notations are of the same design used at
the studios. The artwork is very poorly drawn, and most of the images are
traced from book illustrations. Many of the pieces had been drawn on old
yellowed papers or artificially aged sheets, and some were trimmed and
mounted to mat board. Several of the pieces had been autographed with
forged Walt Disney signatures and initials. Both the Los Angeles and
Chicago dealers were shown the same book of xeroxes, which were said to be
taken from a formal authentication by one of the major auction houses.
Most knowledgeable collectors should immediately recognize these as
forgeries, but less experienced collectors will need to be made aware that
these pieces are not authentic.
____________________________________________________________
COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL KNOWN FORGERIES IN THIS BATCH
* ANIMATION ARTWORK WITH DISNEY AUTOGRAPHS: Mickey Mouse as the
Brave Little Tailor / Goofy animation drawing / Inked comic strip image of
Mickey and Minnie in a car
* HAND-DRAWN MODEL SHEETS AND ANIMATION DRAWINGS FROM SNOW
WHITE : At least three different poses of Snow White, a dozen different
poses of dwarfs, and a hand-drawn model sheet of the Witch‹ most in
red pencil
* HAND-DRAWN MODEL SHEETS AND ANIMATION DRAWINGS FROM PINOCCHIO:
Hand-drawn model sheet of Pinocchio heads / Hand-drawn model sheets
of early Jimminy Cricket design and facial expressions / At least a dozen
different Jimminy model drawings / two hand-drawn Stromboli model
sheets
* HAND-DRAWN MODEL SHEETS AND ANIMATION DRAWINGS FROM FANTASIA:
Sorcererąs Apprentice Mickey and Broom (four poses) / Tyrannosaurus
Rex / Mushroom Dancers / Hippo / Ostrich / Centaurette / Zeus / Bacchus
& Jackus
* CEL AND BACKGROUND SET-UPS: Mickey Mouse on telephone (early 30's
style painted in color) / Mickey from Through the Mirror / From 101
Dalmatians‹ Cruella in Hell Hall / Jasper & Horace, the Baduns / Pongo
with paws on piano keys / Pongo & Perdida‹ midnight bark / Horse,
Sheepdog & Cat / From Jungle Book‹ Shere Kahn & Kaa / Mowgli /
Mowgli & Kaa / From Aristocats‹ Butler head shot / Donald Duck‹ two
poses / From Little Toot‹ Seagull in paper boat / Humphrey Bear
* PRELIMINARY CONCEPT DRAWINGS IN COLOR: Betty-Boop-like version of
Snow White / Mickey as the Sorcererąs Apprentice / Tinkerbell
* ANIMATION LAYOUT DRAWINGS FROM DISNEY SHORTS: Mickey from The
Pointer saying, łExcuse me, Mr. Bear.˛ / Mickey from Through the Mirror /
Two drawings from Mickeyąs Holiday (sic) / Donald Duck fighting
housefly‹ six panel storyboard / Four animation drawings of Donald
breaking a golf club over his knee from Donaldąs Golf Game / Pete from
Mickey's Service Station / Spencer Tracy from Mother Goose Goes
Hollywood
* PUBLICITY AND COMIC STRIP IMAGES: Mickey pushing Donald on a cart full
of junk‹ łTo New Studio˛ / Seven poses of Mickey with exercise
equipment‹ punching bag, horseshoes, hurdling, Indian clubs, baseball
bat, tennis racquet, and ice skates / Mickey with toy train--‹ łMy
Oil-Can-Tucky Home˛ (all in red grease pencil) / Four inked comic panels
from Mickey's Man Friday
* WARNER BROTHERS CELS: Several poses of Bugs Bunny, one signed by Mel
Blanc
____________________________________________________________
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST ANIMATION ART FRAUD
* Always buy from an established dealer. Never buy from individuals who are
reluctant to give you their phone numbers and addresses. Establishing a
good relationship with several reputable galleries in your area can be very
helpful when you need advice or objective opinions on authenticity.
* Always get a receipt with a full description of the artwork, the attribution
(the film it came from), condition, a full disclosure of all
restoration work
performed on the piece, and a lifetime money-back guarantee of
authenticity. No reputable dealer should refuse to do this.
* Do your homework. Ask questions. Research the art, so you know what it
should look like. If you are unsure, get xerox copies of the artwork before
buying, and run them by a knowledgeable collector or dealer. Never buy
"sight-unseen."
* Never jump to conclusions. If you suspect fraud, gather all the information
and professional back-up you need before confronting the seller. Get an
objective opinion from a recognized authority in the field before
demanding a refund. Most good galleries can reccomend an expert
authenticator.
* If you discover fraudulant artwork, report it to the law enforcement
officials. Art fraud can be stopped if collectors work together to remove
questionable pieces from the market.
____________________________________________________________
For More Information Contact:
____________________________________________
Stephen Worth Animation Art
vin...@lightside.com Restoration, Authentication,
Appraisal and Sales