New charges of sports memorabilia and art fraud

[chriskim]

https://rehs.com/eng/2020/07/henkel-hoax/

HENKEL HOAX
July 10, 2020
An alleged forgery ring is unraveling after authorities garnered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for artist Donald “D.B” Henkel’s property in Traverse City, Michigan. According to reports, the FBI began investigating the artist after learning he was involved in the sale of fake works said to be by notable 20th Century American artist to U.S. galleries, collectors, and museums. Conservators confirmed that materials used in these “rediscovered” works did not exist during the period in which they were supposedly created.
These forgers did not only use their talents in the art world, but ventured in the world of sports memorabilia. According to one article:
Since 2015, two accused co-conspirators have sold a purported Babe Ruth bat for $60,000 and a Lou Gehrig bat for $120,000, according to the FBI agent. Most of the money was sent to Henkel and another person.
The FBI affidavit does not say the bat was counterfeit.
The timing of the Gehrig bat auction and price tag appears to match one sold by Hunt Auctions of Pennsylvania. According to the listing, the Gehrig bat belonged to a descendant of a bat boy who had met the New York Yankees legend.
With that, 30 FBI agents raided the home, seizing a number of undisclosed items. No arrests have been made… yet.
Source: In north Michigan woods, feds raid an alleged upscale art forgery factory
Source: FBI Raids Alleged Art Forgery Ring in Michigan Woods

[Snapolit1]

Really happy I never went heavy into autographed stuff. Just seemed way to sketchy. I don't care who your authenticator is, the science is shaky if non-existent, and some of the people doing it are sketchy as hell.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Really happy I never went heavy into autographed stuff. Just seemed way to sketchy. I don't care who your authenticator is, the science is shaky if non-existent, and some of the people doing it are sketchy as hell.

I fear for the day, if it ever comes, that people are somehow able to make fakes of iconic cards, using old cardboard stock or the likes.

I've purchased a few autographs. Nothing too significant, price wise, but it's certainly a dangerous game.

[philo98]

Originally Posted by Seven

I fear for the day, if it ever comes, that people are somehow able to make fakes of iconic cards, using old cardboard stock or the likes.

I've purchased a few autographs. Nothing too significant, price wise, but it's certainly a dangerous game.

That day is soon on the horizon. I have lived for decades in China and other parts of Asia and have seen it all on fakes and how good the technology is becoming. There are really bad fakes in Asia and really really good ones, and everywhere in between. A region that fakes cars, lettuce, eggs, contact lens cleaner, clothes, shoes, toothpaste and on and on and on, will also fake trading cards. In fact, its already started.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Seven

I fear for the day, if it ever comes, that people are somehow able to make fakes of iconic cards, using old cardboard stock or the likes.

I've purchased a few autographs. Nothing too significant, price wise, but it's certainly a dangerous game.

This has already been going on for decades.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by bnorth

This has already been going on for decades.

and sadly will keep going on for decades more

[Seven]

Originally Posted by bnorth

This has already been going on for decades.

Let me make a clarification then to my original post, we can still tell with a certain degree what cards are real and what are fake. When the day comes that the real and the fake are indistinguishable, then we have a problem.

[rjackson44]

Old news look at coaches corner this will never end never

[Seven]

Originally Posted by rjackson44

Old news look at coaches corner this will never end never

As long as there's a market for it, I agree. There are very few people left on this earth, that saw Babe Ruth play, yet people still want to collect his signature. A smattering of prewar stars fit this bill, yet people still want their signatures. And unfortunately, when crooks see the opportunity to make a quick buck, they're going to do it.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Seven

Let me make a clarification then to my original post, we can still tell with a certain degree what cards are real and what are fake. When the day comes that the real and the fake are indistinguishable, then we have a problem.

Or not...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Sadly I agree with Scott. As I posted in another thread, people will just bury their heads in the flip, do cognitive dissonance, and go right on buying.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Really happy I never went heavy into autographed stuff. Just seemed way to sketchy. I don't care who your authenticator is, the science is shaky if non-existent, and some of the people doing it are sketchy as hell.

The very first catalog I saw after I started collecting again as an adult had multiple beautiful single signed Ruth balls, as did virtually every catalog after that. I'm like, I don't KNOW, but this just doesn't feel right.

Of course cards aren't exactly a clean hobby segment either.

[Butch7999]

Originally Posted by chriskim

https://rehs.com/eng/2020/07/henkel-hoax/

HENKEL HOAX
July 10, 2020
An alleged forgery ring is unraveling after authorities garnered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant
for artist Donald “D.B” Henkel’s property in Traverse City, Michigan. According to reports, the FBI began
investigating the artist after learning he was involved in the sale of fake works ...
These forgers did not only use their talents in the art world, but ventured in the world of sports memorabilia. ...
Source: In north Michigan woods, feds raid an alleged upscale art forgery factory
Source: FBI Raids Alleged Art Forgery Ring in Michigan Woods

Anyone have any idea if the person named is related to or affiliated with artist / author / game designer
Donald G Henkel? He created and produced the tabletop game Call Pitch Baseball in 1974 out of his location
in Trenton Michigan (south of Detroit, opposite corner of the state from Traverse City).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/artsyt/2672701310