Apparently the existence of a multitude of hi-end early Universal horror fake movie posters and lobby cards came into full public view last week with the filing of two federal court fraud lawsuits.
Too much info to post here but you can follow the developments in the postings over on the discussion board on the MOPO website (
www.filmfan.com). Looks like some well known collectors, restorers and auction houses were involved with losses which may total into the millions of dollars.
What is particularly disheartening when you read the various MOPO postings is the number of supposed collectors, dealers, and experts who were apparently award of the existence of these fakes for several months to several years yet CHOSE TO SAY NOTHING. For example:
Susan Poole (head of LAMP - the Learn About Movie Posters website which holds itself out as the clearing house for supposed reputable dealers) admits she has known about the fakes for several months but did not think she could go public with the information.
Bruce Hershenson (major poster dealer) who admits that he has known about the fakes for several months but was "sworn to secrecy".
Grey Smith of Heritage Auction House in Texas who claims to have discovered the fakes some three months ago when consigned to his auction house but (of course) said nothing publicly.
Now that the cat is out of the bag everyone is rushing to claim how "quickly" they are moving to get the word out.
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