Similar to the last post, but much less fantastical, moderately valuable Australian paintings have been showing up in Texas, USA.
This year there have been two Australian paintings bought from Texas thrift stores/charity shops for very small amounts and have been valued by auction houses for much higher amounts.
A John Coburn painting was bought for $45 and is now worth $20,000 and a Grace Cossington Smith was bought for $25 and is now valued at $45,000.
Read more about them on the Sydney Morning Herald website here.
I’m not pointing fingers or doubting the finds, but stories like these do make it easier for forgers. It gives you instant provenance and the works are minor enough to not draw too much scrutiny, but $20,000 or $40,000 is still a nice little pay day. Not as much as $50,000,000 but still worth the effort.
