Art of Dr. Seuss Fraud COVERUP

Updated: June 16, 2012

NOTE: Though The Chase Group have changed their -FAQ's-, on their http://www.drseussart.com/faq.html website since this monograph was first published, the core issues and many of the quotes have not changed. Excerpts from The Chase Group's [August 1, 2011] FAQ website have been added.

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!, Image Size 13" x 17 1/2", Limited Edition of 2500 Arabic Numbers, 99 Patron's Collection, 155 Collaborator Proofs, 5 Hors d' Commerce, $425 Unframed" As of June 16, 2012, it is listed as: "SOLD OUT INDIVIDUALLY, This artwork is available only through Portfolio V." http://www.drseussart.com/details/illustration/ohtheplaces.html

NON-DISCLOSED CHROMIST-MADE FORGERY

Since 1997, Audrey Geisel, The Chase Group and all participating galleries have been offering for sale, at $225 or more each, the so-called "Art of Dr. Seuss," but in reality selling -at best- non-disclosed chromist-made -forgeries.

On page 660 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -forgery- is defined as: "The act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if geniune."

"[detail: "©1978 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved."] Oh, the Places You'll Go!, Image Size 13" x 17 1/2", Limited Edition of 2500 Arabic Numbers, 99 Patron's Collection, 155 Collaborator Proofs, 5 Hors d' Commerce, $425 Unframed" As of June 16, 2012, it is listed as: "SOLD OUT INDIVIDUALLY, This artwork is available only through Portfolio V."
http://www.drseussart.com/details/illustration/ohtheplaces.html
BOGUS 1978 DATE GIVEN FOR POSTHUMOUS FORGERIES


© 1978 DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES, L.P.
On the Dr. Seuss Enterprise's http://www.drseussart.com/ biography.html website, it states: "In 1993, Ted’s widow Audrey founded Dr. Seuss Enterprises (DSE) to to protect and monitor the use of Dr. Seuss’s characters for licensing purposes."

The Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L. P.  could -not- have copyrighted anything in 1978.

Non-existing companies don't copyright.

[NOTE: What seems as a fuzzy "1978" date could actually be "1970" which would  mean Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. was some 23 years away from existing rather than just 15 years.]

"[detail] "Dr. Seuss"] Oh, the Places You'll Go!, Image Size 13" x 17 1/2", Limited Edition of 2500 Arabic Numbers, 99 Patron's Collection, 155 Collaborator Proofs, 5 Hors d' Commerce, $425 Unframed" As of June 16, 2012, it is listed as: "SOLD OUT INDIVIDUALLY, This artwork is available only through Portfolio V."
http://www.drseussart.com/details/illustration/ohtheplaces.html
COUNTERFEIT DR. SEUSS SIGNATURES


The Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.'s published non-disclosed posthumous forgeries all have counterfeit "Dr. Seuss" signatures applied.

Yet, for the tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries offered for sale, the Dr. Seuss Enterprises. L.P. would have the public believe and act on that belief when the so-called  "Certificates of Authenticity," given for them, states: “bears the authorized printed signature -Dr. Seuss-.”

 On page 1387 in the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, the term -signature- is defined as: “A person’s name or mark written by that person or at the person’s direction.”

Theodor Geisel died in 1991. The dead don't authorize, much less sign.

THE COVERUP BEGINS

In response to these devastating -facts-, The Chase Group began to alter their promotion and sale of these non-disclosed posthumous forgeries to further mask their full and honest disclosure. 

Here is one example:

In 2000, on The Chase Group's former www.chaseart.com website, they described the so-called Yertle The Turtle, for sale at $225 each, as a "Hand-Pulled Plate Lithograph" and "© 2000 The Chase Group."

In 2006, on The Chase Group's new www.drseussart.com website for this same so-called Yertle The Turtle, they have -removed- "Hand-Pulled Plate Lithograph" and "© 2000 The Chase Group" and -replaced- it with "Dr. Seuss Artworks" and "© 1960."

These non-disclosed posthumous forgeries, titled Yertle The Turtle, were -never- "Hand-pulled Plate Lithographs" in 2000, much less "Dr. Seuss Artworks" six years later in 2006.

Then in an attempt to further obscure these contentious issues of authenticity, The Chase Group posted online a www.drseussart.com/faq.html website, FAQ's a.k.a. Frequently Asked Questions that was an attempt to confuse, confound and coverup these allegations documented by this scholar in his prior published and posted "Art of Dr. Seuss Fraud" monograph.

So, would these contentious issues of authenticity, including but not limited to: the misrepresentation of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries as art, the posthumous application of a name promoted as a signature, the promotion of anything posthumously numbered as limited editions and the posthumous changes noted above, potentially constitute: "The act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine" which is one legal definition of -forgery-?

The following documents the subsequent attempts by The Chase Group to coverup these contentious issues of authenticity.

FIRST, on this website, under "FAQ's," it asks the question: "How do I purchase Dr. Seuss artworks?"

The Chase Group is -not- selling any "Dr. Seuss artworks."

The Chase Group confirms that devastating fact later on their www.drseussart.com/faq.html website when they ask the question: “Were any Dr. Seuss serigraphs, lithographs or sculpture published during his lifetime?” and the answer given is: “No.” 

Under U.S. Customs Informed Compliance May 2006, it states that "lithographs" and other original printmaking mediums "must be wholly executed by hand by the artist" and "excluding any mechanical and photomechanical processes."

Therefore, under U.S. Customs, if Theodor Geisel (d 1991) -never- created any lithographs, and serigraphs, much less [edition] sculptures, during his lifetime, it is -never- going to posthumously happen after his death in 1991.

Additionally, the State of Illinois’ Chapter 815 statute requires, if sold for $60 or more, the following:   "Describing the print as a "reproduction" eliminates the need to furnish further informational details unless such edition was allegedly published in a signed, numbered, or limited edition, or any combination thereof, in which case all of the informational details are required to be furnished."

Yet, despite the laws of nature and the rule of law, The [Illinois-based] Chase Group is promoting for sale tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries, with the title “Art of Dr. Seuss,” as original works of visual art ie., lithographs, serigraphs and [edition] sculpture.

The State of Illinois' Chapter 815 states: "Proof that no person has been misled or deceived or other wise damaged by any violation of this Act shall not constitute a defense in any prosecution under this Act."

SECOND, the question is asked: "How did The Art of Dr. Seuss project come to fruition?" The answer given is: "the work deserved further recognition."

How can any new “Art of Dr. Seuss come to fruition” when The Chase Group admits the so-called "Art of Dr. Seuss project was launched" in 1997, some six years after Theodor Geisel death in 1991?

The dead don't create art.

THIRD, under this same question, "How did The Art of Dr. Seuss project come to fruition?,” next paragraph, it states: "lithographs, serigraphs and sculpture reproduced from Geisel's original drawings and paintings."

Drawings and paintings, whether by Theodor Geisel or not, reproduced result, at best, in reproductions, not lithographs or serigraphs, much less sculptures.

Yet, despite U.S. Customs Informed Compliance May 2006 stating that "lithographs" and other original printmaking mediums "must be wholly executed by hand by the artist" and "excluding any mechanical and photomechanical processes," The Chase Group would have the public believe and act on that belief that "For the first time in history collectors were able to see and acquire lithographs, serigraphs and sculpture reproduced from Geisel’s original drawings and paintings."

Lithographs, serigraphs and sculptures as original works of visual art created by a [living] artist versus reproductions, which are copies of original works of visual art that are done by someone other than the artist [living or dead], are not interchangeable, much less the same.

In other words, The Chase Group is skewing reality in attempt to confuse the public so they will accept, much less believe, that the living presence of the artist is not necessary to create art.

Additionally, under the same question: "How did The Art of Dr. Seuss project come to fruition?," later in the third paragraph, it states: “This historic project has opened the world's eyes to the unique artistic talent of Dr. Seuss."

So, if Theodor Geisel's "artistic talent went far beyond the printed page," how did it go beyond his death in 1991, much less in 1997 when the so-called "Art of Dr. Seuss project" began?

The dead don't have "artistic talent."

FOURTH, the question is asked: "Were any Dr. Seuss serigraphs, lithographs or sculpture published during his lifetime?"

Serigraphs, lithographs and sculpture are original works of visual art created by hand by the [living] artist. These labor intensive original creative mediums, by [living] artists, would never be trivialized as "published," much less inferred they were created anytime other than during the lifetime of those artists.

Once again, this factual perspective is confirmed by U.S. Customs Informed Compliance May 2006 that state a "lithograph" or any other original printmaking medium "must be wholly executed by hand by the artist" and "excluding any photomechanical and mechanical processes."

Additionally, under U.S. Copyright Law, § 101. Definitions, a -derivative work- is defined as: "a work based upon one or more preexisting works, such as - art reproduction" and under U.S. Copyright law § 106A. the "Rights of certain authors to attribution and integrity - shall not apply to any reproduction."

Therefore, under U.S. Copyright Law and U.S. Customs, Theodor Geisel could not have created anything attributed to him after his death in 1991, much less in or after 1997.

FIFTH, under "1. "The Illustration Art Collection," it states: "The majority of these works have been reproduced using an historic technique called hand-pulled lithography. This intentionally “low-tech” method involves highly skilled artisans and master printers whose job it is to faithfully recreate Seuss’s original works - The result is a beautifully created artwork."

Lithographs, under U.S. Customs, are original works of visual art that "must be wholly executed by hand by the artist" and "excluding any mechanical and photomechanical processes."

In other words, lithographs are original works of visual art created by a [living] artist.

Yet, The Chase Group, in their convoluted scheme and avarice, would have the public believe reproductions versus lithographs are interchangeable, much less the same.

Then to go from the ridiculous to the sublime, those tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries, misrepresented as lithographs, are now being promoted by The Chase Group, as "recreated" by -skilled artisans- into "beautifully created artwork."

To make an analog, pyrite will -never- be gold, even if you leave out "fool" part of -fool's gold-.

So, would misrepresenting non-disclosed posthumous forgeries as an original works of visual art ie., lithographs be "the act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine" which is one legal definition of -forgery-?

NEW YORK LAW DOESN'T APPLY IN ILLINOIS
The [Illinois-based] Chase Group would have the public believe their tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries somehow adhere to "New York Print and Photograph Law" cited on the College Art Association website. In part, that law states:

• 3. “Article twelve H of the New York general business law provides for disclosure in writing of certain information concerning multiples of prints and photographs when sold for more than one hundred dollars ($100) each, exclusive of any frame, prior to effecting a sale of them. This law requires disclosure of such matters as the identity of the artist, the artist’s signature, the medium, whether the multiple is a reproduction, the time when the multiple was produced, use of the master which produced the multiple, and the number of multiples in a limited edition.

The State of Illinois' Chapter 815 also requires reproductions sold for $60 or more to be disclosed as reproductions.

Yet, despite New York Law not being applicable to The [Illinois-based] Chase Group, The Chase Group does not even meet the requirements of that New York law by disclosing "whether the multiple is a reproduction."

In The Chase Group's so-called Certificate of Authenticity, they refer to their non-disclosed posthumous forgeries as "recreated."

Also, in the State of New York statute, under the subtitle: "A. Prints or Photographs Published after September 1, 1981," the following information (as gleaned from the CAA website) must be supplied in writing:

1. The name of the artist.
2. Whether the multiple is signed by the artist’s own hand and, if not, the source of the artist’s name, as an estate stamp, etc.
3. The medium or process, such as lithograph, engraving, etc. and, in the case of photographs, the material used in producing the multiple. (a) Disclosure must be made if the artist was deceased when the master was made.¹ (b) Disclosure must be made if the multiple is mechanical, photomechanical, or photographic copy of a work created in another medium where the work which is copied was not originally made for the purpose of making the multiple being sold,¹ and (c) if the multiple referred to in 3 (b) is not signed, disclosure must be made if the artist did not authorize or approve the multiple in writing.

The Chase Group's so-called Certificates of Authenticity, for the tens of thousands of  non-disclsoed posthumous forgeries misleading promoted as the Art of Dr. Seuss, states: "Dr. Seuss- This signature has been authenticated by Audrey Geisel."On page 1387 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -signature- is defined as: "a person's name or mark written by that person or at the person's direction."

The dead don't apply their signature.

Additionally, by The Chase Group misrepresenting non-disclosed posthumous forgeries as original works of visual art ie., lithographs and serigraphs, not to mention [edition] sculpture, which cannot be created posthumously (U.S. Customs Informed Compliance May 2006 confirms that), they seem to be violating New York statutes that state the following: "Disclosure must be made if the multiple is mechanical, photomechanical, or photographic copy of a work created in another medium."

Since Theodor Geisel died in 1991 some six years before this so-called 1997 "Art of Dr. Seuss project" began, New York law states: "if the multiple referred to in 3 (b) is not signed, disclosure must be made if the artist did not authorize or approve the multiple in writing."

Yet, despite a dead Theodor Geisel could not have signed anything after his death in 1991, much less the tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries after 1997, The Chase Group would have the public believe that: "Seuss always dreamed of sharing these works with his fans and had entrusted his wife, Audrey, to carry out his wishes once he was gone. Audrey, too, believed the work deserved further recognition and that Ted himself would some day be evaluated not only as an author, but as an artist in his own right."

Non-disclosed posthumous forgeries are not art, nor the Art of Dr. Seuss, much less authorized and approved by the dead.

SIXTH, under "2. The Secret Art and Archive Collection," in The Chase Group's prior FAQ, it stated:  "Many of these works have been reproduced using hand-pulled serigraphy - this intentionally “low-tech” method is usually carried out under the direction of a master printmaker who must carefully breakdown an original painting into its many colors - print each color, one layer at a time."

That so-called master printmakers, hired by The Chase Group, are actually posthumously reproducing, in a new medium, with their hands and fingers the work of Theodor Geisel. Those non-disclosed posthumous forgeries are what The Chase Group and their authorized galleries misrepresents for sale as original works of visual art ie., serigraphs a.k.a. "Art of Dr. Seuss."

Now, it states: " Many of these works have been reproduced using hand-pulled serigraphy, also known as silkscreen printing. This method gained prominence in the mid 1960s when artists such as Andy Warhol took notice of silkscreen’s potential for fine art printmaking and began utilizing it to create multiple layer graphics full of bright colors and crisp detail.”

Serigraphs are -not- reproduced.

Serigraphs, like any original creative printmaking medium under U.S. Customs Informed Compliance May 2006, "must be wholly executed by hand by the artist [and] excluding any mechanical and photomechanical processes."

The Chase Group continues to use "serigraph" as an euphemism for -forgeries-, much less -reproductions-.

Once again, would that be “a knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce a person to his or her own detriment” which is one legal definition of -fraud-?

SEVENTH, under "2. The Secret Art and Archive Collection," second paragraph, it states: "some works in the collection employ more modern printmaking techniques not available to artists of past generations."

One of those so-called "modern printmaking techniques" is described as: "giclee offer a wide range of color saturation - Prints reproduced using this method capitalize on the brilliant fidelity of specially calibrated digital presses, coupled with inks and papers which were developed over many years and specifically designed for fine art printmaking."

"Fine art printmaking" does not apply to the dead, much less a dead Theodor Geisel.

Additionally, giclee as a reproduction process results in reproductions, not "fine art printmaking."

That is not to mention the giclee reproduction technology, when using the brightly colored dyes, is as lightfast as a "cereal box.” These contentious issues of lightfastness of giclee reproduction technology were documented and published in the October 1996 ART CALENDAR issue.

There potentially goes their so-called "brilliant fidelity" of the non-disclosed giclee forgeries, much less reproductions The Chase Group promotes for sale through their authorized galleries..

EIGHTH, and furthermore, it states: "Just as silkscreen printmaking revolutionized the way artist and printmakers expressed themselves in the 1960s, so too has giclee printmaking in the early 21st century."

Theodor Geisel (d 1991) died in the 20th-century and yet according to The Chase Group, it would have the public believe that a dead artist, such as Theodor Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, is still expressing himself in the early 21st-century.

NINTH, under "3. The Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy (Seuss Sculptures)," it states: "Today, Seuss’s sculptures are reproduced as hand-painted cast resin sculptures and are painstakingly prepared to accurately recreate the aesthetic brilliance of the originals."

Sculptures are original works of visual art created by a living artist. Sculptures posthumously reproduced result in reproductions -not- "hand-painted cast resin sculptures."

Rhetorically, would misrepresenting, what at best are, posthumous reproductions as an original works of visual art ie., sculptures be "the act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine" which is one legal definition of -forgery-?

TENTH, the question is asked: "Are these works signed by Dr. Seuss?"

The answer given was: "because the reproductions included in The Art of Dr. Seuss project were created after his lifetime, each limited edition lithograph and serigraph bears an Authorized Printed Signature and each sculpture an Authorized Engraved Signature."

"After his lifetime" means Theodor Geisel was -dead-.

On page 1387 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -signature- is defined as: "a person's name or mark written by that person or at the person's direction."

The dead don't apply their signature.

On page 354 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -counterfeit- is defined as: "to forge, copy, or imitate (something) without a right to do so and with the purpose of deceiving or defrauding."

Therefore, rhetorically, would the posthumous application of a -counterfeit- "Dr. Seuss" signature to posthumous reproductions misrepresented as original works of visual art be "the act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine" which is one legal definition of -forgery-?











ELEVENTH, the question is asked: "Are all works in the collection created in limited editions?" The answer given was: "Yes, these works are in extremely small editions."

Under U.S. Copyright Law: § 101. Definitions, "A -work of visual art- is — (1) a painting, drawing, print or sculpture, existing in a single copy, in a limited edition of 200 copies or fewer that are signed and consecutively numbered by the author, or, in the case of a sculpture, in multiple cast, carved, or fabricated sculptures of 200 or fewer that are consecutively numbered by the author and bear the signature or other identifying mark of the author."

Therefore, how can the so-called -Art of Dr. Seuss-, that consists of tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries that are -not- "works of visual art" and obviously could not have been "signed and consecutively numbered" by a dead Theodor Giesel, ever be considered "limited editions?"

The dead don't sign and consecutively number.

TWELFTH, the question is asked: "Is there a certificate of authenticity issues for these works?"

The answer given is: "Yes."

On page 127 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -authentication- is defined as: "Broadly, the act of proving that something (as a document) is true or genuine. esp. so that it may be admitted as evidence."

There is nothing authentic about The Chase Group's misrepresentation of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries, much less reproductions, as the -Art of Dr. Seuss- and their pieces of paper with the title -Certificate of Authenticity- won't change that.

The Chase Group are one of the too many to mention alchemists of the 21st-century who come into the art industry with one goal: "why let the truth interfere with commerce."

For additional documentation, link to: Art of Dr. Seuss FRAUD