So shouldn't someone raise concerns with the authorities? I'd hate someone to go through a lot of heartache and cost (trying to recover their money) because an auction house failed to properly address the concerns raised, more so because it seems many of the collecting community are already asking questions.
That this auctioneer, Louis Dianni, makes any reference or comment about this halfsheet being taken to the authorities is a HUGE red flag about this individual's character and integrity, IMHO. As the party being asked to auction this item on behalf of his consignor, one would think Dianni would want a reputation for auctioning genuine items.
For him to simply rely on the word of the consignor, "who
believes it to be real" (especially with the recent Haggard debacle as pointed out to him by Matt), and to continue to say, "No refunds" is telling. One would think Dianni would now go to the consignor, let him know that there are concerns and have him get the halfsheet authenticated by a professional.
And if the poster is bought and proven to be fake, that buyer is simply out X grand (or whatever it sells for), without recourse? I would think not.
It is interesting how none of the wolf man touch ups are mentioned in the "revised" condition report. And I love the line ending with: "...minor, scattered paint." Scattered where?
In addition, the amount of painting on the wolf man, and how it was done, is very evident. Here is just that section showing the Wolf Man-- his face, arms, torn shirt sleeve and the shadowing. Even the white clouds in the yellow sky, to the right of the wolf man's back, are now completely gone.
In comparison, the first and second images are closeups from the 2 HA posters:
