In July of 1998 ACRN reported on a series of "paintings" with "labels" of European frame shops. All of those images were produced on paper by a printing press. A thick transparent sealer was then hand brushed on the paper which left prominent brush strokes suggesting the image was hand painted in thick paint. Labels of frame shops and artist supply companies were then applied to the frames of those images suggesting they were painted in England and second copy, shown here, has corrected the bulge with a nearly straight-sided base. This latest version is also taller, measuring 20″. Bottoms on both reproductions are unglazed. Neither reproduction is marked. Both reproductions are made in China. Retail for the new pieces averages $95-$125 each. The pattern, color scheme and glaze on reproductions is very similar to originals. Europe when in fact they were reproduced in China.

No matter where you go, it seems everyone has Russian icons for sale. They are even offered in mail order catalogs. Can they all be old and valuable?

A southern antique reproduction wholesaler is offering a series of Black American images resembling original pencil or charcoal sketches. The series depicts five different pre-Civil War plantation images of slave life.

Imitation oil paintings with misleading paper labels on periodlooking frames have been fooling lots of buyers recently. The paper labels prominently feature London, Amsterdam, Paris and other European cities. Thick gold finished frames are heavy and highly decorated. The mostly Victorian subjects appear to be painted in thick oils applied in a heavy texture.

A number of Matisse etchings have been selling on internet auction sites. The only problem is that the etchings are guaranteed to be done by Pierre Matisse.

Giclee is a relatively new term used to describe high qualify images produced by advanced inkjet printers.

An unusually large reproduction print of Maxfield Parrishs Hilltop is currently on the market. What makes the print significant is its size, 36 high x 22 wide. It is the only Parrish illustration ever printed the same size as the original painting.

Technical advances in repair materials and techniques can now make most alterations and restorations invisible to the human eye. Magnification and strong artificial light can help catch mechanical damages such as punctures and tears but are of limited use in detecting conditions beneath the visible surface. Ultraviolet radiation, commonly called black light, is a low cost scientific way to view repairs and damages that may be invisible in ordinary light.