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August 9, 2021 - Droog Magazine periodical for investigative journalism

Fake Hitler in Edison, NJ (2)

to Hitler Forgery Industry index | 2021 | to Droog Magazine

Introduction | Miroslawa Wojtczak?

| Auction policies | Address auction house

At the Jule Art and Asian Style auction, Saturday July 24, 2021, the Edison (NJ, USA) based Livingston Auction Inc sold a watercolor llegedly made by Adolf Hitler. The work was easily recognized as a fake. We warned the auctioneer and advised him to withdraw the work. His response: "We dont guarantee it is authentic. Please dont bid if you have doubt on it."

Lot 0009: "Adolf Hitler watercolor on paper. Sold for $1,200.

Click to enlarge

Description by auctioneer: "ADOLF HITLER WATERCOLOR ON PAPER. Adolf Hitler Watercolor on paper signed on left down corner. Size paper 30 x 40cm. Frame size 65 x 55 cm. Accompanied with Coa. Private collection in Paris.

Shipping cost incluing pack and delivery to US address 50 USD and International 150 USD.

CONDITION

This lot do not carry established documented provenance nor any past record of auction history record are described in the catalog as attributed. Authentication of the artwork has not been established nor is it implied. Authentication of any stamps or labels has not been established nor is it implied. Pieces are being sold ""As Is"". No additional information regarding provenance will be provided after the auction. Authentic is not reason for return."

Comment by Droog Magazine: This is an obvious fake. The signature is the signature looks a bit like the one Hitler used when he signed letters or documents, but never on sketches or drawings. Physical examination of the signature will in all likelihood learn that is is a forgery. It's in a completely different style and hand than the believed to be authentic works by Hitler.

Furthermore, a label, attached to the back of the work is a typical over the top forger's mistake: a label from a Parisian firm. The text "Cartons entoilés (...) pour la peinture a l'huile" (cardboard for oil paintings) makes it very clear that this label was attached long after the work - on paper - was made.

Miroslawa Wojtczak?

Click to enlarge.

The undated CoA in Polish is allegedly issued by Miroslawa Wojtczak (ca. 1954-2015), from Torun. But there are strong indications that the CoA in itself is a forgery, composed by an unknown forger.

We think this is the case, because the text is almost exactly the same as the texts on Certificates of Authenticity allegedly issued by Jadwiga Oczko-Kozłowska. Also the fantasy paper type used, the kind of stamp and the general lay out point to the same forger.

CoA "by Miroslawa Wojtczak"		CoA by "Jadwiga Oczko-Kozłowska"
"Niniejszy rysenek wedlóg mojej oceny jest Autentyczną pracą Adolfa Hitlera, Niemieckiego polityka, Kanclerza Rzeszy Niemieckiej. O wyżej wymienionej opinii świadczy technika wykonania akwareli oraz złożony na nim podpis."		"Niniejszy obraz wedlóg mojej oceny jest Autentyczną pracą Adolfa Hitlera, Niemieckiego polityka, Kanclerza Rzeszy Niemieckiej. O wyżej wymienionej opinii świadczy technika wykonania akwareli oraz złożony na niej podpis."

"This sketch is, in my opinion, the Authentic work of Adolf Hitler, German politician, Chancellor of the German Reich. The aforementioned opinion is proven by the technique of the pencil sketch and the signature on it."		"This painting is, in my opinion, an Authentic Work of Adolf Hitler, German politician, Chancellor of the German Reich. The aforementioned opinion is proven by the technique of execution of the watercolour and the signature affixed to it."

See also the remarks on the "Hitler" sold in June 2021 by the same auction house, and accompanied by another bogus CoA allegedly issued by Miroslawa Wojtczak

Obituary of Miroslawa Wojtczak (2015).
http://zpaptorun.pl/index.php/2015/10/22/zmarla-miroslawa-wojtczak/

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Auction policies

We show wear and tear, imperfections or effects of age in images. Contact us if you need verbal condition report. All counts, weights and measurements are approximate. Ignorance of terms by buyer is no excuse to bring action against the auction house or consignor. All sales are final and sell as is. No return. We do directly delivery to east coast and combined shipping to save cost. All shipping will finish in 2wk. If you do not accept the shipping cost and shipping time please do not bid with us. Thank you.

BUYER'S PREMIUM

25% up to $100,000.00
23% up to $1,000,000.00
20% above $1,000,000.00

Source:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/107270460_adolf-hitler-watercolor-on-paper

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Address auction house

Livingston Auction Inc
2015 State Rt 27 Suite 100-131 Edison, NJ 08817 USA

This auction house has no own website.

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