Fraud occurred in this sense 1) The works of art were not inspected after/before they were paid for (as this was not allowed by the processor) 2) The "certificate of authenticity" are not valid. 3) The worth of these pieces (including the jewelry) were GROSSLY overestimated to those participating in the auction. 3) No one that we contacted had a license to auction property either in the state of NY (which the company says its from) nor in the state of FL. 4) The only licenses listed were for Premium Art Alliance which has been involved in various fraud cases since August of 2013 concerning fraudulent auction practices. In addition, no one under the name Adam Levinson appears to be currently licensed as an auctioneer in Florida, or NY or Georgia (where the company is still operating and is incorporated). The only time this information is listed is in advertisements.
on 1/19/2015 at around 11:35 I began to participate on the auction which a circular that came to my home was advertising. This auction was already on the way. The auctioneer along with another auctioneer (whose name was not told to me because I was late) was described. My information was not taken I was simply given a number at the entrance when I arrived. There were two Asia (Indian and Chinese ladies sitting in the two front rows). Two Caucasian ladies sitting next to each other towards the back and a Caucasian dark haired male sitting also towards the back of the room.
The first item was auctioned and it was a (per description made by auctioneer " A very valuable "Camille Passer one of a kind hand signed Woodcut piece, made pre world war II in which most fine arts were destroyed"; he added, "in fact only 15% of all fine art in the world survived this period and this is such a piece." The auctioneered mentioned that similar items were often sold at auction for "$15,000 plus" and he pulled out a "Christie's catalog" which he held up for audience to see-from a distance. He then began to talk about the piece stating that it was "very unique and rare and that if we bid below $8000 it was the steal of the auction as it could easy be worth 2 to 3 times that." The auction for the piece began with one of the Caucasian elderly gray haired ladies bidding $500 and then eventually bidding along with the other elder lady up to $1600 then the auctioneer mentioned and paused the auction he continued to add, that "he guaranteed a safe return on this as it is extremely rare and cannot believe that this was what the bidding" Then I bid the final "$1700." The piece was represented as a one of a kind item which was part of a rare much more valuable art collection.
A variety of other Art items (perhaps 4 to 5) were up to bid (with similar descriptions of value and rarity).
Then be commenced to auction jewelry.
The other item which was bid for were diamond and ruby earrings. The auctioneer mentioned that AGI is the premium company which makes just and fair appraisals and that these earrings were at an extreme value at the starting bid (again initiated by the same caucasian elderly lady in the back of the room). The initial bid was $1000. Then the Caucasian dark haired man began to bid for the item until it reached $1300. I proceed to bid and he bid me up to $1600 at which time We both bid at the same time and auctioneer said to the gentleman, "I am sorry but she bid first and took my bid" Almost by cue the elderly lady to the back bid "$1625" and then the auctioneer looked at me and stated "Are you going to let these beauties get away?" and he proceeded to pass around the AIG report stating that the earrings had a retail value of almost $7000. I then proceeded to bid $1650 for the earrings.
The rest of the auction transpired by no one except the two elderly caucasian ladies and the dark haired caucasian man bidding and out bidding each other. The auctioneer would periodically pause and ask for me to bid and would often pass the items (particularly the jewelry ) for me to look at for closer inspection.
A One of a kind Art piece was auctioned. A Picasso piece which the auctioneer mentioned was also very "rare" and that this was a rare etching (plate etching was destroyed). He mentioned that "etchings were made by Picasso, supervised by Picasso and signed by Picasso" He mentioned that, "ladies and gentleman, this is as close to the real thing as you can get. This work had been authenticated and that this piece or similar pieces could fetch "$30,000" at Sotheby's or Christie's. Again, the auctioneer proceeded to hold up a booklet with Picasso art work which had a price tag ranging from "$30,000 to $45000." He held it up coyly for everyone to see. he added, "this is a piece that will be in your family and this will increase in value, ladies and gentleman this is a unique opportunity to own an amazing piece of art which was etched by Picasso himself." The bidding got heated and it began by him suggesting that they start at "$5000" which was "barely 10% of the value of this piece" as it was observed this piece was worth much more at auction. One of the caucasian ladies mentioned that she would start at "$3,000." The auctioneer became upset at this but, he took a deep breath and appeared to have agreed. After that the two elderly caucasian ladies along with the dark haired gentleman were bidding against each other. I did not see a third bidder unless they were outside my preview. But, (not I) did not see anyone else.
The auctioneer after a brief moment of intense bidding from what appeared to be the two elderly Caucasian ladies, the dark hair gentleman stopped the auction and said, "I am just going to let my colleague here take over because those bids are killing us." He added, "Its like you don't like me, maybe it's me, so I am going to let him take over." That statement was mentioned after the Picasso piece was auctioned off. The initial bidder get the piece for $3700.
After a short recess the auction continued after the auctioneer sold the last lot of pieces which were described as Andy Warhol originals which were then authenticated and sold (after) his death by "Sunday B Morning." The auction bidding wars began between myself and the Caucasian-dark haired-gentleman but towards the end of each bid he mentioned to me "I am just going to let you have it."
They auctioned several pieces which they claimed were hand signed and also "valuable." Most winning bids for the jewelry were made by the gentleman (winning bids were mostly his for jewelry) and the art was mostly the caucasian ladies (sitting next to each other and they would periodically speak). The Asian ladies in the front appeared to be genuine buyers as neither of them placed bids (aside from me).
Before the end of the auction the 1st auctioneer mentioned that the Picasso which was mentioned earlier in the auction was back on the auction floor as the previous buyer was not able to "take both the Picasso and (another artist-piece of art) at the same time." the initial auctioneer mentioned again, "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity ladies and gentleman to own something very unique and special. The auction began with the elderly caucasian lady number one at $2000 and the dark haired gentleman chimed in. They bid with each other up to $2500 and then the auctioneer mentioned, "if this is going to be like this I should have never brought the piece back, this is worth at least 5 times that and even the other bid was at $3700." Then as the gentleman and the elderly lady reached $2800 the auctioneer looked at me and mentioned "you could have this, don't let this get away. " Then he proposed "$2850" and looked at me. I accepted.
The auction was over and both the two elderly caucasian ladies, and the dark haired man walked out and mentioned to the front staff "you know where to find me" as they walked away. Everyone else expect me and the workers were left at the end of the auction. The two other Asian ladies sitting in the front had left as well. As I paid for the item the young lady told me that if I had a problem after careful inspection I could "call them and let them know" She insisted that I give her my license and she proceeded to make notes without my consent. I asked her to please not write down my license and that I also had to see the pieces and she mentioned that the inspection of the certificate was done after payment had cleared. They kept the pieces behind their glass showcase and behind the table she was working from.
The workers made sure I got the art work into my car. As soon as I got home I did research and inspected the certificates. These certificates (the more expensive items) were simply made in a computer by the company selling them or in the case of the Pissaro piece it was a "purveyor of fine arts" not a reputable agent specializing in Pissarro works of art. In addition, the Pissarro collection, and similar woodcuts (unsigned) are actually sold not for $15,000 plus but for $300-$500. This piece after it was inspected it was not signed nor was it "one of a kind" as woodcuts were quite popular and commonly made by Lucien Pissarro, 1000 in this series alone (a fact that the auctioneer did not mention during auction).
The jewelry report is based on estimates and does not constitute actual value ranging from $1000-$1100.
The Andy Warhol Sunday B Morning piece sell for $400-$500 at auction with an estimate on consignment value of $1000 to $1100 a piece.
Lord & Guy Reviews
Fraud occurred in this sense 1) The works of art were not inspected after/before they were paid for (as this was not allowed by the processor) 2) The "certificate of authenticity" are not valid. 3) The worth of these pieces (including the jewelry) were GROSSLY overestimated to those participating in the auction. 3) No one that we contacted had a license to auction property either in the state of NY (which the company says its from) nor in the state of FL. 4) The only licenses listed were for Premium Art Alliance which has been involved in various fraud cases since August of 2013 concerning fraudulent auction practices. In addition, no one under the name Adam Levinson appears to be currently licensed as an auctioneer in Florida, or NY or Georgia (where the company is still operating and is incorporated). The only time this information is listed is in advertisements.
on 1/19/2015 at around 11:35 I began to participate on the auction which a circular that came to my home was advertising. This auction was already on the way. The auctioneer along with another auctioneer (whose name was not told to me because I was late) was described. My information was not taken I was simply given a number at the entrance when I arrived. There were two Asia (Indian and Chinese ladies sitting in the two front rows). Two Caucasian ladies sitting next to each other towards the back and a Caucasian dark haired male sitting also towards the back of the room.
The first item was auctioned and it was a (per description made by auctioneer " A very valuable "Camille Passer one of a kind hand signed Woodcut piece, made pre world war II in which most fine arts were destroyed"; he added, "in fact only 15% of all fine art in the world survived this period and this is such a piece." The auctioneered mentioned that similar items were often sold at auction for "$15,000 plus" and he pulled out a "Christie's catalog" which he held up for audience to see-from a distance. He then began to talk about the piece stating that it was "very unique and rare and that if we bid below $8000 it was the steal of the auction as it could easy be worth 2 to 3 times that." The auction for the piece began with one of the Caucasian elderly gray haired ladies bidding $500 and then eventually bidding along with the other elder lady up to $1600 then the auctioneer mentioned and paused the auction he continued to add, that "he guaranteed a safe return on this as it is extremely rare and cannot believe that this was what the bidding" Then I bid the final "$1700." The piece was represented as a one of a kind item which was part of a rare much more valuable art collection.
A variety of other Art items (perhaps 4 to 5) were up to bid (with similar descriptions of value and rarity).
Then be commenced to auction jewelry.
The other item which was bid for were diamond and ruby earrings. The auctioneer mentioned that AGI is the premium company which makes just and fair appraisals and that these earrings were at an extreme value at the starting bid (again initiated by the same caucasian elderly lady in the back of the room). The initial bid was $1000. Then the Caucasian dark haired man began to bid for the item until it reached $1300. I proceed to bid and he bid me up to $1600 at which time We both bid at the same time and auctioneer said to the gentleman, "I am sorry but she bid first and took my bid" Almost by cue the elderly lady to the back bid "$1625" and then the auctioneer looked at me and stated "Are you going to let these beauties get away?" and he proceeded to pass around the AIG report stating that the earrings had a retail value of almost $7000. I then proceeded to bid $1650 for the earrings.
The rest of the auction transpired by no one except the two elderly caucasian ladies and the dark haired caucasian man bidding and out bidding each other. The auctioneer would periodically pause and ask for me to bid and would often pass the items (particularly the jewelry ) for me to look at for closer inspection.
A One of a kind Art piece was auctioned. A Picasso piece which the auctioneer mentioned was also very "rare" and that this was a rare etching (plate etching was destroyed). He mentioned that "etchings were made by Picasso, supervised by Picasso and signed by Picasso" He mentioned that, "ladies and gentleman, this is as close to the real thing as you can get. This work had been authenticated and that this piece or similar pieces could fetch "$30,000" at Sotheby's or Christie's. Again, the auctioneer proceeded to hold up a booklet with Picasso art work which had a price tag ranging from "$30,000 to $45000." He held it up coyly for everyone to see. he added, "this is a piece that will be in your family and this will increase in value, ladies and gentleman this is a unique opportunity to own an amazing piece of art which was etched by Picasso himself." The bidding got heated and it began by him suggesting that they start at "$5000" which was "barely 10% of the value of this piece" as it was observed this piece was worth much more at auction. One of the caucasian ladies mentioned that she would start at "$3,000." The auctioneer became upset at this but, he took a deep breath and appeared to have agreed. After that the two elderly caucasian ladies along with the dark haired gentleman were bidding against each other. I did not see a third bidder unless they were outside my preview. But, (not I) did not see anyone else.
The auctioneer after a brief moment of intense bidding from what appeared to be the two elderly Caucasian ladies, the dark hair gentleman stopped the auction and said, "I am just going to let my colleague here take over because those bids are killing us." He added, "Its like you don't like me, maybe it's me, so I am going to let him take over." That statement was mentioned after the Picasso piece was auctioned off. The initial bidder get the piece for $3700.
After a short recess the auction continued after the auctioneer sold the last lot of pieces which were described as Andy Warhol originals which were then authenticated and sold (after) his death by "Sunday B Morning." The auction bidding wars began between myself and the Caucasian-dark haired-gentleman but towards the end of each bid he mentioned to me "I am just going to let you have it."
They auctioned several pieces which they claimed were hand signed and also "valuable." Most winning bids for the jewelry were made by the gentleman (winning bids were mostly his for jewelry) and the art was mostly the caucasian ladies (sitting next to each other and they would periodically speak). The Asian ladies in the front appeared to be genuine buyers as neither of them placed bids (aside from me).
Before the end of the auction the 1st auctioneer mentioned that the Picasso which was mentioned earlier in the auction was back on the auction floor as the previous buyer was not able to "take both the Picasso and (another artist-piece of art) at the same time." the initial auctioneer mentioned again, "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity ladies and gentleman to own something very unique and special. The auction began with the elderly caucasian lady number one at $2000 and the dark haired gentleman chimed in. They bid with each other up to $2500 and then the auctioneer mentioned, "if this is going to be like this I should have never brought the piece back, this is worth at least 5 times that and even the other bid was at $3700." Then as the gentleman and the elderly lady reached $2800 the auctioneer looked at me and mentioned "you could have this, don't let this get away. " Then he proposed "$2850" and looked at me. I accepted.
The auction was over and both the two elderly caucasian ladies, and the dark haired man walked out and mentioned to the front staff "you know where to find me" as they walked away. Everyone else expect me and the workers were left at the end of the auction. The two other Asian ladies sitting in the front had left as well. As I paid for the item the young lady told me that if I had a problem after careful inspection I could "call them and let them know" She insisted that I give her my license and she proceeded to make notes without my consent. I asked her to please not write down my license and that I also had to see the pieces and she mentioned that the inspection of the certificate was done after payment had cleared. They kept the pieces behind their glass showcase and behind the table she was working from.
The workers made sure I got the art work into my car. As soon as I got home I did research and inspected the certificates. These certificates (the more expensive items) were simply made in a computer by the company selling them or in the case of the Pissaro piece it was a "purveyor of fine arts" not a reputable agent specializing in Pissarro works of art. In addition, the Pissarro collection, and similar woodcuts (unsigned) are actually sold not for $15,000 plus but for $300-$500. This piece after it was inspected it was not signed nor was it "one of a kind" as woodcuts were quite popular and commonly made by Lucien Pissarro, 1000 in this series alone (a fact that the auctioneer did not mention during auction).
The jewelry report is based on estimates and does not constitute actual value ranging from $1000-$1100.
The Andy Warhol Sunday B Morning piece sell for $400-$500 at auction with an estimate on consignment value of $1000 to $1100 a piece.
Name Pat Ft lauderdale, FL