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January 6, 2021 - Droog Magazine periodical for investigative journalism

Another Floridean fake Hitler

to Hitler Forgery Industry index | 2021 | to Droog Magazine

Introduction | sketch |

auction policies | past "Hitler" auctions by AA

It is just doesn't stop: the endless stream of fake Hitler watercolors, drawings and sketches launched by Affiliated Auctions (AA) in Tallahassee (Florida, USA).

Most of the alleged Hitlers offered by this auction house don't even resemble the few thought to be authentic Hitlers. Many of the AA “Hitlers” are accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity (CoA) issued by known CoA swindlers as Frank P. Garo, Hans O.A. Horvath and Stephen R. Pastore. These CoA's are in almost all, if not all, cases clear indications for the fake nature of the works.

In the past three years the auctioneer never replied to our critical questions or paid any attention to our warnings that certain items were fakes. It's obvious he is more than aware that the alleged Hitler works he sells as “authentic” are pure fakes. In our opinion he's therefore a plain fraudster.

On February3, 2021, AA will auction the following fake Hitler, with this disclaimer: “Deemed authentic as per auction terms.” What does that mean? Basically: nothing (see Auction policies).

Lot 5251: "German Third Reich Adolf Hitler Sketch 3 Woman". Start price $100; estimated at $80 - $150. Buyers premium 18%.

Description by auctioneer: "German third Reich sketch of three women believed to be drawn by Adolf Hitler. On paper that measures about 10 inches long by 8 5/16 inches wide. Signs of the beginning of another sketch on the reverse side of the page. Sketch is marked "A.H." below. Deemed authentic according to terms."

Comment by Droog Magazine: Another worthless fake.

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Auction policies

Affiliated Auctions: “Descriptions are not intended to be definitive and should be thought of as opinions on the genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, or condition of the property. No statement made in item leads, descriptions, estimate or during the sale should be considered an assumption of liability or warranty. Lots of items that we deem to be questionable in nature will be described as “unauthenticated”. Usage of this term does not imply anything other than our opinion. Artworks described as a work by a specific artist fall into our highest tier of authenticity, however, no qualified statement about the authorship is strictly implied. Artworks described as “attributed to...” are most likely, in our opinion, a work by the artist but there is less certainty expressed than in the terminology described above. (…) The term signed by and/or dated by the artist is believed to have been inscribed by the artist's hand. The term bears signature implies that the signature may have been added by someone other than the artist. (...) Autographs and autographed items are believed to be authentic unless otherwise stated.”

Source: Terms & conditions. Affiliated Auctions, 2020.

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Affiliated Auctions - in the past

On March 8, 2018 this auction house sold six clearly forged Hitler sketches, as being authentic Hitler artworks. All six were accompanied by fraudulent certificates of authenticity issued by Frank P. Garo. The works were sold for $20,800.

In 'The Tallahassee Auction' (Droog Magazine, 09-03-2018) we reported on this case.

On April 11, 2019 Affiliated Auctions sold another fake Hitler. This one was sold for $ 3,800. We reported on that case in 'A Hitler' in Florida' (Droog Magazine, 03-04-2019).

On June 25, 2019 Affiliated Auctions sold another fake Hitler. This one was sold for $ 7,400. We reported on that case in 'A Hitler' in Florida (2)' (Droog Magazine, 24-09-2019).

In 2020 Affiliated Auctions offered more fakes.

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