I hope people in Los Angeles can call in Detective Hyrcyk and get a knowledgeable person. My advice to get a knowledgeable expert involved for fee is not just for fakes but for an understanding of condition and value as well. He was his own worst enemy by trying to buy a bargain at an auction without a guarantee. Personally, I believe that if an auction advertises an artist's work, truth in advertising laws require that they deliver that artist's work to the buyer. In keeping with this, I have recently acted as a consultant to the Robillard Auction Company of Doylestown, Bucks County.
Unadvertised work carries no guarantee.
So, Detective Hrycyk, keep up your work, but the safest course is an auction guarantee. What takes place between their clients is not the responsibility of the auction house. Total recollection later placed three young men, who pushed in beside us, as the culprits who took my book as I put it down to stoop down to better examine the clock. Personal circumstances made me completely forget to ask for it back when we left. I apologize to the Cyrs for any thoughtless ambiguity that led them to believe I blamed them for my loss.