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state of mind series
by: joan altabe
FAR Library › FAR Investigates › Auctions at Sea: Investigation of Cruise Line Art Auctions

FAR® Investigative Report

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

March 19, 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.


March 13, 2008:
Follow the Money Follow the Money
by Gail Christensen
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


January 22, 2008:
Inside Park West Inside Park West: Information about Park West that Should be Known by Potential Customers Before They Buy
by David Phillips
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


January 22, 2008:
The Truth About Art Auctions at Sea The Truth About Art Auctions at Sea: What an Art Auction is Not!
by Theresa Franks
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


January 22, 2008:
The Art of Auctioneering The Art of Auctioneering
by Anayat Durrani
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


November 30, 2007:
Another Park West at Sea Art 'Auction' Rip-off Another Park West at Sea Art "Auction" Rip-off: Is This EVER Going to Stop?  |  by David Phillips
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


November 29, 2007:
Park West attempts settlement Avery Hershkowitz Case Study Continued: Park West Gallery Attempts Settlement  |  by David Phillips
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


November 15, 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
by David Phillips
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


November 6, 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  |  by David Phillips
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


October 23, 2007:
Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation Victims of a Park West Gallery Cruise Line Art Auction Scam Speak Out  |  by David Phillips
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


October 12, 2007:
Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation There be Dragons: Art Auctions at Sea Are Uncharted Legal Waters
by Cindy Hill, Esq.
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


October 5, 2007:
Park West Credit Card, Fine Art Auctions investigation A Legal Commentary on the Park West Gallery/GE Money Credit Card Statement  |  by Cindy Hill, Esq.
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


September 28, 2007:
Park West at Sea, Legal commentary A Legal Commentary on the Park West at Sea Art Auction Invoice
by Cindy Hill, Esq.
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


September 21, 2007:
Park West Fine Art Auctions investigation The Art Auction Afloat: Continuing a Long Tradition of Piracy on the High Seas   |   by David Phillips
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


June 26, 2007:
Buying Art on the High Seas Art on the High-Seas II: What to Know Before (and after) You Buy
by Anayat Durrani
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


May 11, 2007:
Art on the High Seas Art on the High-Seas: Part I
by Anayat Durrani
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


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