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March 25, 2021 - Droog Magazine periodical for investigative journalism

Fake Hitler and forged euros?

to Hitler Forgery Industry index | 2021 | to Droog Magazine





Introduction
|
Drawing | Euro banknotes

Auction policies | Past "Hitler" auctions by AA

In the past years we've seen a stream of clearly fake Hitler watercolors and sketches emerging from the Tallahassee (Florida) based auction house "Affiliated Auctions" (AA). New in 2021 is that this auction house is also offering valid €100 banknotes for as little as $25 apiece. As far as we know the practice of offering banknotes for less than their actual worth is normally reserved for people dealing in counterfeit money.

Four of the five Hitlers now to be auctioned were also offered at a previous AA auction (on January 27, 2021).


Lot 9294: "Pre WWII German Adolf Hitler drawing with CoA". Start price $300; estimated at $1,500 - $1,800. Buyers premium 18%.


Click to enlarge.



Description by auctioneer: "German pre WWII Adolf Hitler drawing with COA. Illustration is paperboard mounted on pressed paperboard and depicts a church, its steeple, and a nearby street with a figure. Church features multiple Chi Rho symbol designs on the building and crosses atop the churches structures. Drawing in good condition, with some staining around the drawing, some of the pressed paperboard on the reverse side is worn. Last 4 photos have been provided by consignor. This lot has a reserve."


Click to enlarge.

Comment by Droog Magazine:
Another worthless fake. It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Frank P. Garo, which in itself is a clear forgery indicator.
 
The other 'Hitlers'

All offered on January 27, 2021. 



Present lot #9296 (past lot #2243) #9297 (#2244), 9298 (#2246), #9299 (#2247).

The euro banknotes

At the same auction 15 banknotes of €100 are offered, with start prices from $25 to $50 apiece, as lots 9093-9099. These banknotes, model 2002, are currently being replaced by the new model €100 banknote, issued in 2019. But the 2003 model is still valid and will be for some time.


Lot 9093: two €100 banknotes, front. Click to enlarge.


Lot 9093: two €100 banknotes, back. Click to enlarge.

So, is the consignor a very ignorant person, thinking these old model banknotes have lost their value, or is he trying to sell home baked euros?


Sources

Banknotes, European Bank. Bruxelles, [seen 24-03-2021].
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/banknotes/html/index.en.html

Nieuwe biljetten van 50, 100 en 200 euro zijn voortaan smaller. Radar. Avrotros, Hilversum, 28-05-2019.
https://radar.avrotros.nl/nieuws/item/nieuwe-biljetten-van-50-100-en-200-euro-zijn-voortaan-smaller/

Lot #9093 - 2 x €100 – start bid ca. $100
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500319_200-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes

Lot #9094 - 2 x €100 – start bid $50
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500320_200-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes

Lot #9095 - 2 x €100 – start bid $50

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500321_200-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes

Lot #9096 - 2 x €100 – start bid $90?
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500322_200-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes

Lot #9097 - 2 x €100 – start bid $50
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500323_200-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes

Lot #9098 - 2 x €100 – start bid $50
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500324_200-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes

Lot #9099 - 3 x €100 – start bid $50?
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/99500325_300-euros-current-paper-currency-banknotes


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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, 2021.

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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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© Compilation Bart FM Droog, 2021.
Photos courtesy Affiliated Auctions.