New-York tribune., 1907-06-03
ART FRAUDS FOUND.
Paintings and Other Importdtions
OUerUalued to Bring High Price.

The customs authorities here have determined TO
stop the long continued practice of fraud upon
buyers of foreign paintings and other works OF art
The plan has been TO invoice pictures ana othe'
art objects at prices many times their intrinsic
value to pay the ad valorem duties. and then to
exhibit to prospective purchasers a copy or the
official invoice as proof of the price paid
This plan in many instances brought intending
buyers at the Appraisers Stores while the art oo-
jects were undergoing the usual examination and
appraisal
The authorities think that large and lucrative
traffic has been conducted I'm fake" pictures and
other works of art. because of the high values at
tached to the importatons and the apparent eager
ness of the importer authenticate his entries
ii the presence of the customs officers While II
is not thought that any collusion existed between
the importers and the employees OF the Treasury
Department ii is said that the invoicing Of paint
ngs at high prices creates a prejudice in favor
Of the correctness of the importers values. whereas
low prices would he likely to arouse suspicion
This seems to have been relied upon by the deal
ers and their connections on the other side
Colonel Edward 5 Fowler the Appraiser of the
Port, in whose department the paintings are exam
iHed was averse to discussing the subject yester-
day. 1t is understood. however, that the effort
Of of the importers for fabulous profits proved
the dealers undoinS. and at the same time opened
the eyes of the officials the Illicit traf
ne Other & officials in the customs service also
sibe to learn the identity OF the persons concerned
in the recent revelations.
II tntimated, however. that several women
were mixed up in the Importation brought TO the
attention of the authorities. 1t is said that
painting. invoiced at SO00 and consigned TO
woman, received two weeks ago at the APP
praiseIs Stores. The picture said 10 have been
shipped TO tEis country either from London or
Paris. In the ordinary routine it turned over
to Mr. Hecht. examiner Of the second or fine
arts division OF the office.
After inspection of the canvas Mr.. Hecht
was puzzled by the high price placed upon the
production. as n plain 70 him that the paint
ing could not he worth more than 500 at the most
Before he could make his return to the General Ap
PTatser the woman asked Colonel Fowler for per
mission to bring some of her friends 10 the ex-
animation rooms TO view the picture. Although
Colonel Fowler Is said 10 have aCceded 70 the
quest. some curiosity aroused. and enough
evidence gathered by the officers 10 warrant
the belief that the exhibition Of the work at the
Public Stores was merely device 10 suhstanttate
a fictitious value.
Under the customs regulations. however, the
federal authorities have not the power to punish
generalization. although they may take drastic
ton in cases OF undervaluation- While the officials
~ the Appraisers Stores do not know whether the
importer II the 5000 painting persuaded her
friends 10 purchase the ediCt has sone forth that
no more passes VIII be granted 10 inspect paint
ings believed to be imported for fraudulent pur-
poses
The representatives of the Fifth avenue art
stores expressed surprise learning Of the frauds
discovered by the customs officers but they denied
any knowledge of the arts practised by iTreSpon-
sible dealers