Droog Magazine. Investigations

droog magazine

HOME

November 23, 2020 - Droog Magazine periodical for investigative journalism

Even more fake AA-Hitlers

to Hitler Forgery Industry index | 2020 | to Droog Magazine

Introduction | watercolors | sketches |

auction policies | past "Hitler" auctions by AA

They just can't get enough of it: the Tallahassee (Florida) based Affiliated Auctions (AA) is launching even more fake Hitlers in December 2020.

Earlier this year this auction house offered at least nine fake Hitlers, this time it presents eight, including three fakes which remained unsold at the previous Hitler auction at AA, November 2019.

And just as the previous time, the alleged Hitlers offered by this auction house don't even resemble the few thought to be authentic Hitlers.

In the past two 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 as authentic as the relics of the false teeth of sweet Virgin Maria. In our opinion he's therefore a plain fraudster.

On December 3, 2020, AA will auction the following fake Hitlers, with this disclaimer: “Deemed authentic as per auction terms.” What does that mean? Basically: nothing (see Auction policies).

4 watercolors (1 "new", 3 unsold from previous auction)
4 sketches

To top of page.

The "Hitler" watercolors

Lot 7290: "German 1920 Adolf Hitler Watercolor Painting."Start price $60; estimated at $25o - $500"

Description by auctioneer: "1920's German Adolf Hitler watercolor painting, signed lower left, measuring at 4 1/4 inches tall by 7 inches wide. Lightly creased on right side, but in good, original condition. . Unauthenticated, sold as is.”

Comment by Droog Magazine: No thought to be authentic Hitler paintings from after the First World War exists. the date brands this works as a fake. It is not even a forgery, as it doesn't resemble any thought to be authentic Hitler watercolor. The startprice, a mere 60 dollars, shows that not even the auctioneer has any belief in the authenticity of this work.

Is it a harmless fake then? No, because whoever buys tit, will resell it as "authentic". So the appearance of this work at an auction can be seen as the start of a criminal chain reaction.

Lots 7016, 7017 and 7018.

Offered previously at AA auction, November 11, 2020; then not sold.

Lots 7016 and 7017, both with Hans O.A. Horváth Certificates of Authenticity. Start price for each $1,500.

Lot 7016. Start price $750.

To top of page.

The "Hitler" sketches

Lot 7008: "Adolf Hitler Sketch Book Recovered Pencil drawing". Start price $40; estimated at $150 - $250. Buyers premium 18%.

Description by auctioneer: "Recovered Adolf Hitler sketchbook pencil drawing. Signed with initials in lower right corner. Some backing remnants from prior framing attached to original sketch. Sketch fully intact with some foxing due to age. Measures 11.3cm X 18.1cm."

Comment by Droog Magazine: A very silly fake.

Lot 7009: "Adolf Hitler Sketch Book Recovered Pencil drawing". Start price $40; estimated at $150 - $250. Buyers premium 18%.

Description by auctioneer: "

Recovered Adolf Hitler sketchbook pencil drawing. Signed with initials in lower left corner. No backing remnants from prior framing attached to original sketch. Sketch fully intact with some foxing due to age. Measures 11.2cm X 18.1cm."

Comment by Droog Magazine: Another very silly fake.

Lot 7010: "Adolf Hitler Sketch Book Recovered Pencil drawing". Start price $40; estimated at $150 - $250. Buyers premium 18%.

Description by auctioneer: "Recovered Adolf Hitler sketchbook pencil drawing. Signed with initials in lower right corner. Some backing remnants from prior framing attached to original sketch. Sketch fully intact with some foxing due to age. Measures 14.2cm X 11cm."

Comment by Droog Magazine: Sigh.

Lot 7011: "Adolf Hitler Sketch Book Recovered Pencil drawing". Start price $60; estimated at $250 - $350. Buyers premium 18%.

Description by auctioneer: "Recovered Adolf Hitler sketchbook pencil drawing. Signed with initials in lower right corner. Large backing remnants from prior framing attached to original sketch. Sketch fully intact with some foxing due to age. Measures 18.7cm X 14.5cm."

Comment by Droog Magazine: Sigh again. Notice that the initials are completely different when compared with the other A.H.s on the alleged Hitler sketches at this auction.

To top of page.

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.

To top of page.

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 Affiliate 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 Affiliate 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).

On November 11 and 18, 2020 Affiliate Auctions auctioned fake "Hitlers" again; five watercolors and three sketches. We reported on that case in 'More fake Hitlers from Florida'.

To top of page.