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mexican plaza right 3 of 3 - triptych
by: peter worsley
FAR Library › FAR Investigates › Auctions at Sea: Investigation of Cruise Line Art Auctions

FAR® Investigative Reports

Since Fine Art Registry® published its two recent articles about cruise line art auctions, Art on the High Seas Part I and Part II, many victims of cruise line art auction fraud contacted us and asked for help. We are continuing to hear from them. We will publish their stories in hopes, mainly, that others will not follow in their footsteps and that enough public outcry will be generated that the authorities, apparently asleep on the subject, will wake up and put an end to the piracy, which is going on, on a very big scale. Join in the discussion on the FAR Art Forum.


Case Study: Art Auctions at Sea

Confessions of a Park West Cruise Line Art Auctioneer
by Fine Art Registry
The following description of the various ways that cruise ship art auctioneers and associates trick the auction attendees and clients and rip them off for their own profit and the profit of the... Read More
Art Auctions, August 31, 2008


Open Letter from Frank Hunter, Director, The Dali Archives, LTD. Open Letter from Frank Hunter, Director, The Dali Archives, LTD.
A response to the recent outbreak of lies and slander about Albert Field, The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali, and related matters.... Read More
Dali Fakes, August 15, 2008


Fake Prints Fake Prints: Forgery and Fraud Concerning Two Dali Prints
Fake originals and prints are a huge industry, and a scourge on the art market today. This is a study of forgery and fraud concerning two Salvador Dali limited edition prints. ... Read More
Dali Fakes, June 10, 2008


US and Spanish law enforcement officials today announced federal charges against seven defendants as a result of an international investigation into production and sale of fake limited edition prints of renowned artists.
Read the full press release from the Department of Justice.
Download the PDF version here.
Art News, March 19, 2008


Follow the Money Follow the Money
Greed is a powerful motivator. Greed motivates people to succeed in business, in politics, and in crime. The business of fine art is not immune to this powerful force. Greed can motivate art deal... Read More
Art Auctions, March 13, 2008


Inside Park West Inside Park West: Information about Park West that Should be Known by Potential Customers Before They Buy
The following material has come to us from a variety of sources. They all are or were in a position to be able to provide accurate data. Of course we have been unable to verify any of the information directly with Park West... Read More
Art Auctions, January 22, 2008


The Truth About Art Auctions at Sea The Truth About Art Auctions at Sea: What an Art Auction is Not!
Many consumers boarding cruise ships for exotic destinations are likely to be subjected at some point during the cruise to the snares of an onboard auction, advertising art work and other collectibles at unheard... Read More
Art Auctions, January 22, 2008


The Art of Auctioneering The Art of Auctioneering
Auctioneers are the ones who run the show at auctions. Auctioneers must be adept at computing a constant barrage of numbers, all the while keeping their attention on bidders in the audience. They must maintain... Read More
Art Auctions, January 22, 2008


Another Park West at Sea Art 'Auction' Rip-off Another Park West at Sea Art "Auction" Rip-off: Is This EVER Going to Stop?
In the third week of September this year, from the 15th to 22nd, I invited my mother to enjoy what I thought would be a relaxing seven night cruise so that we could celebrate her 80th birthday in style ...Read More
Art Auctions, November 30, 2007


Park West attempts settlement Avery Hershkowitz Case Study Continued: Park West Gallery Attempts Settlement
In our article of 21 September, The Art Auction Afloat – Continuing in a Long Tradition of Piracy on the High Seas, we detailed the experiences of Avery and Joyce Hershkowitz with regard to a Park West ...Read More
Art Auctions, November 29, 2007


Salvador Dali prints from Park West at Sea, Fine Art Auctions investigation Betty Waudby: Park West at Sea Art Auction Dali Print Rip-off
Case Study: Betty Waudby is quick to acknowledge the fact that she exercised poor judgement when she bought three Salvador Dalí prints from Park West at Sea while on a Royal Caribbean cruise ...Read More
Art Auctions, November 15, 2007


Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation A Salvador Dalí expert comments on the Park West at Sea Dalí prints: An interview with Bruce Hochman
Bruce Hochman may be Salvador Dalí's greatest fan. Author of The Annual Print Price Guide to the Graphic Works of Salvador Dalí, Bruce is also the Gallery Director of the Salvador Dalí Gallery in San Juan ...Read More
Art Auctions, November 6, 2007


Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation Victims of a Park West Gallery Cruise Line Art Auction Scam Speak Out
The following is, unfortunately, a true story. It is illustrative of how Park West at Sea art auctions and auctioneers work to fleece unsuspecting people of large sums of money under the false pretense ...Read More
Art Auctions, October 23, 2007


Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation There be Dragons: Art Auctions at Sea Are Uncharted Legal Waters
For many of us, that word brings strong and highly varied images to mind: the somber, almost funereal pall hanging over a barn full of overall-clad men as a foreclosed farm is sold off, piece by ...Read More
Art Auctions, October 12, 2007


Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation A Legal Commentary on the Park West Gallery/GE Money Credit Card Statement
According to reports of cruise ship passengers who have attended art auctions conducted by Park West at Sea, an affiliate of Park West Gallery, after making a successful bid on artwork at such ...Read More
Art Auctions, October 5, 2007


Park West at Sea, Legal commentary A Legal Commentary on the Park West at Sea Art Auction Invoice
Purchasers at Park West at Sea cruise ship art auctions receive a number of documents related to their purchases which contain critical terms and conditions all art buyers should understand ...Read More
Art Auctions, September 28, 2007


Park West Fine Art Auctions investigation The Art Auction Afloat: Continuing a Long Tradition of Piracy on the High Seas
Park West at Sea (the cruise line arm of Park West Galleries), Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Global Fine Arts, GE Money, et al. There is something honest ...Read More
Art Auctions, September 21, 2007


Buying Art on the High Seas Art on the High-Seas II: What to Know Before (and after) You Buy
There you are, lounging in the warm sunshine on the top deck of a luxury cruise liner, contemplating which activity to do next. There’s lots to do onboard: the casinos, a dip in the pool, shopping ...Read More
Art Auctions, June 26, 2007


Art on the High Seas Art on the High-Seas: Part I
Art auctions have been a popular pastime on cruise ships for over a decade, auctioning off everything from Picassos and Dalis to the works of up-and-coming living artists. And while all who attend ...Read More
Art Auctions, May 11, 2007


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