Artwork of John Lennon $100 MILLION FRAUD, The Dead don't create Artwork

UPDATED: October 6, 2012

A LINK OF INTEREST: http://garyarseneau.blogspot.com/2016/03/authentic-lifetime-drawing-by-john.html

NOTE: All footnotes are enclosed with [FN ].

For additional information of interest, see the London Times' published "Oh no! Yoko colours Lennon's prints" article by Cristina Ruiz and Jon Ungoed-Thomas and "[Legacy Fine Art and Production Inc.'s Artwork of John Lennon exhibition producer] Rudy Siegel's Double Talk" summary at the end of this monograph, and this link to: Art of John Lennon -forgeries- at the Waukesha Cou...

107. An Egg Hatching, “Image: 11.5” x 10” Paper: 15” x 10”, Serigraphy, Stonehenge,” p. 43, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com

AFTER 1999, POSTHUMOUSLY COLORIZED FORGERY

p.196 and 197, Skywriting by Word of Mouth by John Lennon, Copyright © 1986 by The Estate of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, ISBN 0-06-091444-0 (pbk)

BEFORE 1980, POSTHUMOUSLY PUBLISHED REPRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION

The "Artwork of John Lennon" traveling road show is a "knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment,"[FN 1] which is one legal definition of -fraud-, by his widow Yoko Ono, along with her business associates: Legacy Fine Art Production, Pacific Edge Gallery and others, to cash in at the expense of the unsuspecting consumer and legitimate artists, not to mention John Lennon's true legacy.

Since 1986, Yoko Ono and her business associates have misrepresented more than 35,000 posthumous black-and-white and/or colorized and altered forgeries for sale to the public at hundreds to thousands of dollars or more each, for a gross well over $100 million, as original works of visual art ie.,  lithographs, serigraphs, woodcuts and etchings, not to mention its' deceptive promotion as the "Artwork of John Lennon."

On page 661 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 genuine."[FN 2]

John Lennon died in 1980.

The dead don't create artwork.

Yoko Ono began this fraud sometime around 1986 when she hired chromists (someone who copies the artist's work) to forge John Lennon's original black-and-white drawings and misrepresent those posthumous forgeries as original works of visual art ie., lithographs, serigraphs, etchings and woodcuts.

Soon after 1986, Yoko Ono found out these non-disclosed posthumous black-and-white forgeries, even when misrepresented as original works of visual art ie., lithographs, serigraphs, etchings and woodcuts, weren't selling as quickly as she liked at the prices she expected, Yoko Ono began to have posthumously colorized editions of non-disclosed forgeries made by hired chromists [someone who copies another artist's work and in this case alters it].

Eventually in the late 1990's, Yoko Ono, lost all inhibitions about John Lennon's true legacy and began authorizing not only the colorized forgeries of John Lennon's original black-and-white drawings but their forged alteration into new compositions that John Lennon could not have approved since he was still dead.

To further perpetuate this fraud, Yoko Ono authorized the posthumous application of a counterfeit John Lennon chopmark/signature to each one of these non-disclosed forgeries to create the illusion that John Lennon created and approved them, much less signed them.

The dead don't approve or sign.

In other words, Yoko Ono and her business associates wants the public to believe that John Lennon created these non-disclosed forgeries before he died or to just suspend disbelief that despite being dead somehow John Lennon can still come out with new artwork.

The enclosed monograph documents the facts behind this Artwork of John Lennon -fraud-.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
1. THE DEAD DON’T CREATE ART
2. THE DEAD DON’T SIGN
3. THE DEAD DON’T NUMBER
4. THE DEAD DON’T COLORIZE
5. THE DEAD DON'T ALTER
6. JOHN LENNON CREATED ONE LITHOGRAPH EDITION

• All other "Bag One" lithographs are forgeries

7. CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE
8. NEW YORK CIVIL CODE
9. FLORIDA STATUTES
10. UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
11. UNITED STATES POST OFFICE

• Fraud and Swindles
• Precedent
• CONCLUSION
• FOOTNOTES
• PRINCIPLES (*New information and quotes)

20. The Hug, 1968, “Image: 13” x 9” Paper: 22.5” x 15”, Serigraphy, Stonehenge,” p. 8, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com

AFTER 1986, POSTHUMOUS FORGERY


1. THE DEAD DON'T CREATE ART

In the 2006 Legacy Fine Arts and Production Inc.’s www.johnlennonartwork.com/shows.html website, it stated: “The limited edition artwork in this exhibition consists of lithographs, serigraphs, and copper etchings, hand-reproduced from the original drawings" with a disclaimer at the bottom of the same webpage: "All reproductions are clearly identified as posthumously created under the control and supervision of Yoko Ono Lennon.”

WEBSITE CHANGED BY AUGUST 29, 2009

As of August 29, 2009, on Legacy Fine Art and Productions Inc.'s 2009 www.johnlennonartwork. com/shows.html website, now states: "This exhibit features an extensive collection of original drawings and hand signed pieces, as well as limited edition prints," with the same 2006 disclaimer at the bottom: "All reproductions are clearly identified as posthumously created under the control and supervision of Yoko Ono Lennon."

The terms "limited edition artwork" and "hand-reproduced" were eliminated and "limited edition prints" was substituted for "lithographs, serigraphs, and copper etchings."

Yet, Legacy Fine Art and Productions Inc.'s 2009 website continues to misrepresent, for sale, these posthumous forgeries as: "serigraphs, lithographs, copper etchings and aqua tints of John Lennon’s drawings, signed by Yoko Ono including Song Lyrics and the "'Real Love' children’s drawings sketched for his son Sean."

NOTE: Sometime in late Fall 2012, Legacy Fine Arts and Production Inc.'s posted the following statement on their website:

 http://www.johnlennonartwork.com/

So, contrary to what Yoko Ono and Legacy Fine Art and Production Inc. would ever have the public believe, John Lennon -never- created serigraphs, etchings, woodcuts and lithographs (with one lifetime exception titled "frontspiece"). As with any original works of visual art, original printmaking requires the living artist's hands-on participation and can -never- be created posthumously.

U.S. CUSTOMS

That factual perspective is confirmed in a May 2006 U.S. Customs Informed Compliance Publication. In part, it states: “original engravings, prints and lithographs - means - wholly executed by hand by the artist - excluding any mechanical or photomechanical process.”[FN 3]

Unfortunately, because of the decades long and pervasive abuse of terminology, not only by Yoko Ono and her business associates, but too many to mention in the art industry as a whole, the public has been mislead and conditioned to have unwitting misconceptions on what constitutes artwork versus reproductions, not to mention forgeries.

Therefore, throughout this monograph, it is imperative to document the definitions of key terms, statutory laws and published references to empower you, the public, to understand these contentious issues of authenticity so you may decide for yourselves if there is merit to these allegations.

WHAT IS A REPRODUCTION?

On page 350 in Ralph Mayer’s HarperCollins Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, -reproduction- is defined as: “A general term for any copy, likeness, or counterpart of an original work of art or of a photograph, done in the same medium as the original or in another, and done by someone other than the creator of the original.”[FN 4]

So, reproductions of John Lennon's original black-and-white drawings, whether lifetime or posthumous, -at best-, would be black-and-white reproductions "done by someone other than [John Lennon] the creator of the original [black-and-white doodle]."

WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE EXHIBIT?

This so-called "Artwork of John Lennon" exhibition and sale usually contains. -at best-. only 3 to 4 possible original John Lennon drawings, a possible lithograph from the lifetime edition of 300 titled "frontspiece" by John Lennon and tens of thousands of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries, colorized and alter into new compositions that are signed and numbered by someone other than the dead John Lennon.

What proof is there that they are posthumous forgeries, much less that Yoko Ono is directly involved in this fraud?

 





Front Cover for the John Lennon catalogue and page 1, Published by Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hway., #112 - Laguna Beach CA 92651- 2479 - www.lennonart.com) 
JOHN LENNON CATALOGUE


Page 1, Excerpt from the John Lennon catalogue, Published by Pacific Edge Gallery
540 S. Coast Hwy., #112 - Laguna Beach CA 92651- 2479 - www.lennonart.com) 
EXCERPT FROM JOHN LENNON CATALOGUE

PUBLISHED AFTER 1986

On page 1 of Pacific Edge Gallery's published John Lennon catalogue, Yoko Ono's business associate Pacific Edge Gallery published the following statement: "During 1986, Yoko Ono Lennon decided to share John's artistic genius with the public by publishing the first in a series of prints entitled, 'This is My Story Both Humble and True,' followed with 'Bag One Continued...," "Dakota Days," "Karuizawa Series" and "ai: Japan Through John Lennon Eyes."[FN 5]

"During 1986," the dead John Lennon (d. 1980) did not have anymore "artistic genius."

52. Samuari, 1977, “Image: 9” x 8” Paper: 14” x 11”, Serigraphy, Stonehenge,” p. 23, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com

AFTER 1986, POSTHUMOUSLY COLORIZED FORGERY


IF JOHN LENNON DIDN’T CREATE THEM, WHO DID?

A good majority of these non-disclosed forgeries of John Lennon’s artwork were forged by ateliers in Toronto, Canada and imported into the United States.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

The above copy of a Certificate of Authenticity, for the titled -Samurai- listing John Lennon as the "artist," states: "This is to certify the artwork herein described is a limited edition woodcut/collagraph/serigraph - printing has been completed by hand, through the courtesy of Atelier GF, Toronto, Canada on Stonehenge paper."

Additionally, it states: "There are 300 in each edition, with 25 Artist Proofs, 6 Printer Proofs and 5 Hors Commerce. Year of publication is 1992."

John Lennon died in 1980. The dead don't create artwork.

So, in 1992, who did Yoko Ono hire to actually forged this -Samurai- edition of non-disclosed forgeries that is being falsely attributed as the -artwork- created by someone (John Lennon) who was some 12 years dead?

ATELIER GF

This is answered in a September 4, 1998 letter to this author from the Atelier GF “Fine Art Printer” Robert Game. Robert Game is a chromist (someone who copies another artist's work), who was hired by Yoko Ono to posthumously forge work falsely attributed to a dead John Lennon. In part, Robert Game wrote: “In collection of Printer’s Proofs and have many favourites, some for their artistic, some for technical solutions. For the John Lennon images, it was interesting to create the woodblocks for “SAMURAI” or the background for “HE TRIED TO FACE REALITY.”[FN 6]

Atelier GF's Robert Game devastatingly admits that he posthumously forged, -by his hand-, John Lennon's black-and-white drawing in multiple woodblocks that were used to print an edition of non-disclosed colorized forgeries titled "SAMURAI."

So, would Atelier GF's Robert Game's posthumous forging of an edition falsely attributed to a dead John Lennon, as original works of visual art ie., woodcuts, be considered "act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine?"[FN 7]

Remember, Yoko Ono's Bag One Inc.'s "Certificate of Authenticity" (shown above), for this so-called edition of woodcuts titled "SAMURAI," lists -John Lennon- as the artist.

The dead don't woodcut

 

Detail from The Hug [FN 8]

 [Photograph at www.artbrokerage.com/retail/ lennon/lennon_thehug.htm]

POSTHUMOUSLY APPLIED COUNTERFEIT JOHN LENNON CHOP-MARK AND EMBOSSED SIGNATURE 

2. THE DEAD DON'T SIGN

Another of Yoko Ono’s business associates Pacific Edge Gallery, on their website[FN 9], states: “In 1986, Yoko Ono, acting for the John Lennon Estate, began releasing limited editions of some of the most meaningful drawings, using only fine art printing techniques - Each limited edition fine art print is authenticated by John Lennon's embossed signature, the embossed printer and publisher's mark, Yoko Ono Lennon's hand-signature, and John's personal chop mark.”

WHAT IS A CHOP-MARK?

Additionally, on Pacific Edge Gallery’s website, it defines a “chop mark” as: “Artists in the Orient sign their works with an individual, patented stamp known as a chop. John Lennon's, which is hand-stamped in red on each edition, was designed by him to read "Like a Cloud, Beautiful Sound."[FN 10]

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF SIGNATURE AND SIGN?

On page 1387 in 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.”[FN 11] On page 1386, in the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -sign- is defined as: “to identify (a record) by means of a signature, mark, or other symbol with the intent to authenticate it as an act or agreement of the person identifying it.”[FN 12]

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF AUTHENTICATE?

On page 127 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -authenticate- is defined as: “To prove the genuineness of (a thing).”[FN 13]

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF GENUINE?

On page 695 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -genuine- is defined as: “(Of a thing) authentic or real; something that has the quality of what it is purported to be.”[FN 14]

Since John Lennon died tragically in 1980, in 1986 his so-called “embossed signature” and “chop [mark]” could not have been “written by [him] or at [his] direction” to -authenticate- anything.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF COUNTERFEIT?

On page 354, in 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.”[FN 15]

Therefore, rhetorically, would the posthumous application of a so-called “John Lennon’s embossed signature” and “chop [mark],” to non-disclosed posthumous colorized and altered forgeries, be considered “counterfeit?”

 
(Detail from The Hug photograph at www.artbrokerage.com/retail/ lennon/lennon_thehug.htm)

POSTHUMOUSLY APPLIED COUNTERFEIT EDITION NUMBER AND ALLEGED YOKO ONO SIGNATURE

3. THE DEAD DON'T NUMBER

On Yoko Ono’s business associate Legacy Production Inc.’s 2005 website[FN 16], it states: “The limited edition artwork in this exhibition consists of lithographs, serigraphs, and copper etchings, hand-reproduced from the original drawings.”

Additionally, on page one of Yoko Ono’s published 1991 Artwork of John Lennon catalogue, it states: “During 1986 Yoko Ono Lennon decided to share John’s artistic genius with the public by publishing the first series of prints entitled “'This is My Story Both Humble and True,' followed in 1988 with “Bag One Continued...” and the “Dakota Days.” On page 25, it states: “The edition size on all the prints is 300, with 25 A.P.’s, with the exception of #35 which has 150 prints with 25 A.P.’s.”[FN 17]

U.S. COPYRIGHT LAW - WORK OF VISUAL ART

Under U.S. Copyright Law 101. Definitions, a “work of visual art” is defined as: “a painting, drawing, print or sculpture, existing in a single copy, in a limited edition of 200 copies or fewer that are consecutively numbered by the author and bear the signature or other identifying mark of the author.”[FN 18]

Once again, since John Lennon died tragically in 1980, in 1986 this so-called “artwork” could not have been “consecutively numbered by [John Lennon],” much less “bear [his] signature.”

In other words, under U.S. Copyright Law, if John Lennon did not create them, number them and signed them, they would not be considered original “work[s] of visual art” by him.

TWENTY-FIVE ARTIST PROOFS

As documented earlier, in 1986 Yoko Ono also began offering for sale, as part of these so-called -limited editions-, “25 A.P.s” ie., artist proofs.

WHAT IS AN ARTIST PROOF?

On page 22 of Ralph Mayer’s 1991 The Harper Collins Art Terms and Techniques Dictionary, -artist proof- is defined as: “one of the PROOFS in a LIMITED EDITIONS of ORIGINAL PRINTS. An artist’s proof must bear the artist’s signature or mark and, since the early 20th century, is usually numbered.”[FN 19]

WHAT IS A FAKE?

On page 617 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -fake- is defined as: “something that is not what it purports to be.”[FN 20]

So, since the dead don't create original printmaking, much less sign, number or proof anything, would the promotion of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries as -artist proofs-, be "something that is not what it purports to be?"

 52. Two Virgins, 1969, “Image: 18” x 24” Paper: 22” x 30”, Serigraphy, Antique Folio,” p. 27, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com

AFTER 1986, POSTHUMOUSLY COLORIZED FORGERY

p. 38 and 39, Skywriting by Word of Mouth by John Lennon, Copyright © 1986 by The Estate of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, ISBN 0-06-091444-0 (pbk)

BEFORE 1980, POSTHUMOUSLY PUBLISHED REPRODUCTION


4. THE DEAD DON'T COLORIZE

On Yoko Ono’s business associates Legacy Production Inc.’s old 2002 website it states: “The OnoLennon collaborations is still taking place. Yoko has blended her art with John's in the color renditions within this collection. She personally hand-colors maquettes of the original drawings, from which the atelier reproduces the shading for the final editions.”[FN 21]

Page 28-29, Excerpt from the John Lennon's In His Own Write book published by Simon and Schuster, New York in 1964 (Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 64-3385) versus "{One of} two new releases from the John Lennon Estate display John’s artistic brilliance at capturing meaning with a minimum of lines. 'Come Together' is a plea for world peace and understanding using the unique whimsical characters that Lennon drew throughout his life. Each hand pulled serigraph measures 20" x 22" and is individually signed by Yoko Ono Lennon and limited to an edition of 375 worldwide."
(This description was acquired from one of Yoko Ono's business partner's Pacific Edge Gallery. The link is: http://www.lennonart.com/pages/newreleases.php
BLACK-AND-WHITE REPRODUCTION VERSUS COLORIZED FORGERY

"[One of] two new releases from the John Lennon Estate display John’s artistic brilliance at capturing meaning with a minimum of lines. 'Come Together' is a plea for world peace and understanding using the unique whimsical characters that Lennon drew throughout his life. Each hand pulled serigraph measures 20" x 22" and is individually signed by Yoko Ono Lennon and limited to an edition of 375 worldwide." (This description was acquired from one of Yoko Ono's business partner's Pacific Edge Gallery. The link is: http://www.lennonart.com/pages/newreleases.php

AFTER 1986, POSTHUMOUSLY COLORIZED FORGERY


 

Page 28-29, Excerpt from the John Lennon's "In His Own Write" book published by Simon and Schuster, New York in 1964 (Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 64-3385)

1964 PUBLISHED BLACK-AND-WHITE REPRODUCTION

BLACK-AND- WHITE IN 1964

The above John Lennon black-and-white drawing, was reproduced, in his 1964 book titled: In His On Write by John Lennon on the page 28 opposite his chapter titled: "Randolf's Party" on page 29.[FN 22]

COLORIZED AFTER 1986

Sometime after 1986 some six years or more after John Lennon death in 1980, Yoko Ono decided to colorize and/or authorize the colorization a chromist-made forgery of that black-and-white drawing, title it Come Together and misrepresent that forgery as an original work of visual art ie., -serigraph-.

Yoko Ono hubris seems to know no boundaries.

The above non-disclosed posthumously colorized forgery titled Come Together was not -even- reproduced directly in black-and-white from John Lennon's original black-and-white drawing or the reproduction of it on page 28 in John Lennon's published 1964 book titled In His Own Write.

Once again to belabor a devastating fact, Yoko Ono hired a chromist [someone who copies another artist's work] to posthumously redraw by their hands and fingers, much less talent, John Lennon's original black-and-white Come Together drawing and/or the reproduction of it in John Lennon's published 1964 book titled In His Own Write.

The above photographic details of the posthumous colorized forgery vs the John Lennon's lifetime Come Together drawing and/or reproduction of it confirms that devastating fact.

Yoko Ono has no shame.

ENHANCE THE MEANING OF THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS

On Pacific Edge Gallery’s 2005  website, it states: “Continuing a collaboration that was at the heart of their relationship throughout their life together, Yoko Ono, a world-renowned artist herself, chose colors that she felt would enhance the meaning of the original drawings.”[FN 23]

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF COLLABORATE?

On page 66 in the Webster New World Pocket Dictionary, -collaborate- is defined as: “to work together.”[FN 24]

WORK OF VISUAL ART EXCLUDES COPIES THAT ARE COLLABORATIVE

The Visual Artist’s Rights Act (H.R. bill 5316), which amended the Copyright Act of 1976, was signed into law on December 1, 1990. In the 1995 The Visual Artist’s Business and Legal Guide compiled and edited by Gregory T. Victoroff, Esq., attorney Katherine M. Thompson specifically addresses issue of “collaboration” in the 1990 Visual Artist’s Rights Act. On page 28, the attorney wrote: “The VARA amends the Copyright Act to create a definition for a “work of visual art.” According to Section 602, -excluded are items - that generally exist in multiple copies and are collaborative in nature.”[FN 25]

In other words, a living Yoko Ono can’t posthumously collaborate with a dead John Lennon.

John Lennon real love, The Drawings for Sean, "Adapted by Al Naclerio from drawings by John Lennon, © 1999 by Yoko Ono Lennon

5. THE DEAD DON'T ALTER

In 1999, Yoko Ono published a book titled: Real Love - The Drawings for Sean that on the second page, inside the front cover, stated: “Adapted by Al Naclerio from drawings by John Lennon - Copyright @ 1999 by Yoko Ono Lennon.”[FN 26]

"Adapted from drawings by John Lennon" in 1999 by Al Naclerio-, what does that really mean?





















89. A Herd Moving, “Image: 11.5” x 10” Paper: 15” x 10”, Serigraphy, Stonehenge,” p. 41, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com
AFTER 1999, POSTHUMOUSLY COLORIZED FORGERY




Pages 62 and 63In His Own Write
published by Simon and Schuster, Inc.
Copyright © 1964 by John Lennon
1964 PUBLISHED BLACK-AND-WHITE REPRODUCTION



CUT, PASTED, COLORIZED IN ALTERED COMPOSITIONS

Sometime before 1999 Yoko Ono authorized Al Naclerio to posthumously colorized and altered John Lennon's true artistic legacy. Al Naclerio took John Lennon’s original 1964 black-and-white drawings and cut, pasted and colorized into new altered and forged compositions with a counterfeit titles applied, for example: A herd moving along with counterfeit John Lennon chop-mark/signatures posthumously applied to create the illusion he created it, signed and titled it, much less approved it.

Remember, John Lennon died 19 years earlier in 1980.

The dead don't create artwork.

Yet, in the INTRODUCTION for this 1999 John Lennon real love The Drawings for Sean book, Yoko Ono wrote: “I began finding John and Sean drawing together. John would draw something and explain to Sean what it was. - John would ask Sean what he thought John was drawing. Sean would say, ‘That’s a horsey,”’ and that would become the title of John’s drawing.”[FN 27]

LEGACY FINE ART AND PRODUCTIONS

Yet, this misrepresentation of John Lennon’s true legacy is perpetuated by Yoko Ono’ business associate Legacy Fine Arts and Productions on their website. Under the subtitle: “Real Love - The Pieces,” one of which is titled: A herd moving, it states: “These drawings were done in the last years of John’s life, with and for his son Sean, to teach him about life and to give him an appreciation for art.”[FN 28]

PACIFIC EDGE GALLERY

Additionally, this misrepresentation of John Lennon’s true legacy is also perpetuated by another of Yoko Ono’s business associates Pacific Edge Gallery on their  website. In part, it states: “‘Real Love’ Drawings for Sean {are} twenty-two new editions from John Lennon's new book of drawings released on Random House in June. These unique playful and colorful drawings were drawn for John's son, Sean, to share with him the fun of drawing and creating.”[FN 29]

96. Crabs Crabbing, “Image: 11.5” x 10” Paper: 15” x 10”, Serigraphy, Stonehenge,” p. 41, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com
AFTER 1999, POSTHUMOUSLY COLORIZED FORGERY



Page 130 and 131, In His Own Write and A Spaniard In The Works by John Lennon
published by Simon and Schuster, Inc.
Copyright © 1964, 1965 by John Lennon 
1964 PUBLISHED REPRODUCTION

So, what was the real motivation behind the posthumous colorization and non-disclosed alterations of John Lennon’s black-and-white drawings into new colorized and altered compositions?

YOKO ONO CRITICIZED FOR ADDING COLOR

In the July 16, 1997 Detroit News “in loving color: Lennon art with an Ono flair -- comes to Ann Arbor” article by Art Critic Joy Hakanson Colby, Yoko Ono describes the actual events that led to the colorizing of the so-called John Lennon “lithographs” and “screenprints.” It first quotes Yoko as stating: “Yes, I’ve been criticized for adding color to John’s black-and-white drawings,” she acknowledges, “but when I explain why it happened, people usually understand.”[FN 30]

Did Yoko Ono really plan all along that the posthumous colorizing of reproductions of John Lennon’s black-and-white drawings to “enhance the meaning of the original drawings?”

COLORIZING LENNON’S DRAWINGS WOULD COMMAND ATTENTION

The article continues: “Ono has been touring Lennon’s lithographs and screenprints for the last 10 years, making the work available to the public that reveres him as a musician and raising money for charitable causes. Bookings are handled by a team of organizers who want to give the work as much visibility as possible. When a gallery wanted to display one of Lennon’s prints in the window to advertise the show inside, it was determined that the little black-and-white line drawing was too slight to command attention. Ono was informed that color would achieve the desired effect.”[FN 31]

YOKO ONO A PURIST UP TILL 1986?

Yoko Ono is quoted as stating: “I was shocked when they showed me a drawing that had been colored in terrible, screaming hues. I told them what they had done was sacrilege,” Ono recalls. - Up to that point I had been a purist. But I figured if some of John’s drawings needed color, I’d do it myself.”[FN 32]

In other words, the real motivation for the posthumous colorization of reproductions of John Lennon’s black-and-white drawings was because they couldn’t sell them. The bologna about “enhancing {their} meaning” is just part of a larger cover-up to sell these non-disclosed forgeries at $500 to $8,000 or more each to the unsuspecting public.

Yoko Ono has no shame.

 











John Lennon, Bag One Frontice Piece, Limited Edition Print, Lithograph on Paper, 1969, Size 29 x 22 in, Hand Signed (Lower right), Edition # 87/300, $12,000 OBO
http://www.artbrokerage.com/art/lennon/lennon_5269.php
1969, ORIGINAL LITHOGRAPH


6. LENNON CREATED ONE LITHOGRAPH EDITION
John Lennon only created one and only one authentic edition (300 with 25 artist's proofs) of lithographs during his lifetime (1969) known as the frontispiece.

ANTHONY FAWCETT, PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO JOHN LENNON

This confirmed by Anthony Fawcett’s published 1976 book titled: One Day At A Time. On page 171 of his book, the former art critic Anthony Fawcett, who worked full time as a personal assistant to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, “running their office, organizing their daily schedules, cataloging their writings and films”[FN 33] from early 1969 till May 1970, wrote: "John became more involved, in his on and off way, and came to visit Curwen Studio to see the printing process in action. While there, he created the image for the frontispiece, a simple sketch of himself crouched on the ground holding Yoko, which he drew directly onto a zinc plate.”[FN 34]

YOKO ONO CONFIRMS LENNON ONLY CREATED ONE LITHOGRAPH EDITION

This is additionally confirmed, with or without intent, by Yoko Ono in the January 11 -January 17, 1996 Tucson Weekly published “Matisse, Picasso --And Lennon?” article by Margaret Regan. In the article, the reporter wrote: “Lennon himself made only one lithograph in his life that she knows of, Ono says.”[FN 35]

ALL OTHER "BAG ONE" LITHOGRAPHS ARE NON-DISCLOSED REPRODUCTIONS

All other so-called “Bag One" lithographs are actually non-disclosed reproductions of John Lennon's drawing that were reproduced by the Curwin Studios in England.

JOHN LENNON DRAWINGS REPRODUCED

This is backhandedly confirmed on page 164 of Anthony Fawcett’s published 1976 book titled: One Day At A Time, where the author wrote: “John would be able to draw or paint in his usual manner. The images could later be transferred from the paper onto sensitized zinc plates by means of an advanced technical process, and the lithographs printed in the traditional way.”[FN 36]

As noted earlier, under May 2006 U.S. Customs regulations, a lithograph must be “wholly executed by the artist” and “excluding any mechanical and photomechanical process.”

Therefore, the transfer of John Lennon’s original drawings and paintings to “sensitized zinc plates” and the subsequent printing would be reproductions and not -lithographs- as, at best, misunderstood by Anthony Fawcett.

JOHN LENNON PARTICIPATED IN THE FRAUD

In other words, in 1969, John Lennon, for “forty pounds each or five hundred and fifty pounds each for set,”[FN 37] misrepresented over 3,000 non-disclosed reproductions of his drawings as original works of visual art ie., lithographs.

Remember, on page 661 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 genuine."

John Lennon had no shame.

1. Bag One, 1969, “Image: 11” x 14” Paper: 19” x 22”, Stone lithography w/Chine Colle,” p. 2, John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com

NON-DISCLOSED POSTHUMOUSLY TINTED FORGERY


300 OR MORE NON-DISCLOSED POSTHUMOUS FORGERIES

As documented in Yoko Ono's published in a 1986 or later John Lennon catalogue, Yoko Ono authorized a posthumously colorized and altered edition of non-disclosed forgeries from the only legitimate lithograph edition titled frontispiece created by John Lennon during his lifetime. Those non-disclosed posthumous forgeries were given a different title: "Bag One," with a overtly misleading "1969" date each with a posthumously applied counterfeit red John Lennon chop-mark signature stamped in the bottom right corner of the paper in a bogus numbered edition of 300 with an illegible Yoko Ono Lennon signature applied.

Yoko Ono has no shame.
























JOHN LENNON BAG ONE LIMITED EDITION LITHOGRAPH
 Auction #197 - Item 2599, Price: $115.00 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium), 23.5 x 35.5" frame contains pressed board paper with screenprint/lithographed print of John Lennon art from his 1970 drawing of himself and Yoko Ono. Yoko's trademark red stamp seal in bottom right-hand corner of print area marks her approval. Print is #154 of 5,000 and has facsimile John Lennon signature below print. Released in 1986. 
http://www.hakes.com/item.asp?ListID=105&ItemNo=78732#pictures
NOT A LITHOGRAPH BUT AN [AFTER 1986] FORGERY





















Bag One -framed- Collectible Lithograph Poster (front)#1869/5,000
http://www.hakes.com/images.asp?ItemNo=78732&ImageNo=001
NOT A POSTER BUT AN [AFTER 1986] FORGERY
















Bag One Collectible Lithograph Poster (info on back) "John originally created a portfolio of drawings in 1969 which he entitled "Bag One." These drawings depicted John and Yoko's wedding and honeymoon and he presented them to her as a wedding gift. The Bag One suite represents the only hand signed prints available by John Lennon. Later editions were authenticated by John Lennon's embossed signature, the embossed printer and publisher's mark, Yoko Ono Lennon's signature, and John's personal chop mark."
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-SIGNED-SEALED-JOHN-LENNON-LITHOGRAPHS-BEATLES-BAG-ONE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ250448942931 
NOT LIMITED/SIGNED BUT AN [AFTER 1986] FORGERY

8,000 OR MORE NON-DISCLOSED POSTHUMOUS FORGERIES

These so-called "later editions" of John Lennon's frontispiece, posthumously reproduced, misrepresent as  "lithographs" to "collectible lithograph posters" with the title "Bag One," can -never- be authenticated by a counterfeit "John Lennon embossed signature," much less "John's personal chop mark."

THREE SEPARATE EDITIONS IMPEACHES THEIR LIMITATION

Additionally, the three posthumous editions (after 1986) of John Lennon's frontispiece, now a.k.a. Bag One, are in bogus numbered editions of -300-, -5,000-, and -3,000-.

Since, John Lennon (d 1980) was dead when these three editions were posthumously reproduced after 1986, who numbered them, much less applied the counterfeited John Lennon signatures and chop marks?

In other words, John Lennon's lifetime oeuvre has been skewed by Yoko Ono in her ever expanding avarice to cash in selling non-disclosed posthumous forgeries as John Lennon "lithographs”[FN 38], much less as limited editions.

7. CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE

In the State of California under California Civil Code 1741-1745, it states: “California law provides for disclosure in writing of information concerning - whether the multiple is a reproduction” {when} “offered for sale or sold at wholesale or retail for one hundred dollars ($100) or more, exclusive of any frame.”[FN 39]

The potential penalties for violation of California Civil Code statutes may include but not limited to -refund-interest-treble damages-court costs-expert witness fees-attorney fees- and potential $1,000 fine per occurrence.

Before Legacy Productions Inc. a.k.a. Legacy Fine Arts and Productions Inc. move to West Palm Beach, Florida{14} in 2005, they operated this so-called “Artwork of John Lennon” exhibit out of the following location: “632 Third Street - Santa Rosa, California 95404.”

Another of Yoko Ono's business associate Pacific Edge Gallery is located at 540 S. Coast Highway #112, Laguna Beach, California 92651 with the (949) 494-0491 telephone number and website: www.pacificedgegallery.com .

8. NEW YORK CIVIL CODE

Under New York Civil Code 15.01 (2.) states: “Article fifteen of the New York arts and cultural affairs law provides for disclosure in writing of certain information concerning multiples of prints and photographs when sold for more than one hundred dollars ($100) - whether the multiple is a reproduction.”[FN 40]

The penalties for violation of New York Civil Code statutes under 15.15 may include but not limited to -refund-treble damages-court costs-expert witness fees-attorney fees- and not to mention potential civil fines.[FN 41]

In the State of New York under New York Civil Code 11.01, -counterfeit- is defined as: “a work of fine art or multiple made, altered or copied, with or without intent to deceive, in such a manner that it appears or is claimed to have an authorship which it does not in fact possess.”[FN 42]

Yoko Ono’s company Bag One Arts Inc. is located at 110 West 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-6402 with the (212) 595-5537 telephone number.

Therefore, the question is: “Are Yoko Ono and her business associates -alter{ing}- the so-called "Artwork of John Lennon" they offer for sale, “in such a manner that it appears or is claimed to have an authorship which it does not in fact possess?”

9. FLORIDA STATUTES

Under Florida Statutes 817.034 “Florida Communications Fraud Act” under “DEFINITIONS” (3d), it states: "Scheme to defraud" means a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud one or more persons, or with intent to obtain property from one or more persons by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises or willful misrepresentations of a future act.”[FN 43]

The potential penalties for such conduct, under ”OFFENSES “(4), states: “(a) Any person who engages in a scheme to defraud and obtains property thereby is guilty of organized fraud, punishable as follows: 1. If the amount of property obtained has an aggregate value of $50,000 or more, the violator is guilty of a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 2. If the amount of property obtained has an aggregate value of $20,000 or more, but less than $50,000, the violator is guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 3. If the amount of property obtained has an aggregate value of less than $20,000, the violator is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.”[FN 44]

Would the sale of non-disclosed forgeries, in the State of Florida and misrepresented as the “Artwork of John Lennon for hundreds to thousands of dollars or more each,” be considered a "scheme to defraud?"

Yoko Ono's business associate Legacy Fine Arts and Productions is located at 330 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 with a (561) 651-1156 telephone number and website: www.johnlennonartwork.com .

10. UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE

In September 1998 Art World News trade magazine, the attorney Paul Winick (partner in the New York office of Thelen, Marrin, Johnson and Bridges), who specializes in intellectual property law, litigation and represents galleries, publishers and artists, wrote the article "Certificates of Authenticity: Dealer Liability."[FN 45]

In his article he explains the application of the Uniform Commercial Code as it applies to the “sales of most forms of visual art.” The author wrote: “UCC express warranty arises from two sources: The description of the goods given by the seller, and the seller statements made to induce the sale.” Those statements are said to become part of the “basis of the bargain” made between buyer and seller and, therefore, a basis for legal action if the description or statements turn out later to have been false.”[FN 46]

The author also wrote: “Warranties need not depend on the sale document and can arise in statements made in advertisements or catalogues, so long as the buyer relied on those statements in formulating the bargain with the seller.”[FN 47] and that “Warranties are applicable regardless of fault or intent. It is no defense that the seller did not mean to make a misstatement, or that he thought the misstatement to be true. If the goods (the artwork) do not conform to the promise made (the warranty), the seller is liable, whether or not he knew it to be true.”[FN 48]

When it comes to “disclaimers,” Paul Winick wrote: “Disclaimers are not viewed favorably by courts and, unless there is some way to reconcile the disclaimer and the representation, the disclaimer is disregarded and the representation is given effect.”[FN 49]

REPRESENTATION VERSUS DISCLOSURE

On Legacy Production Inc.’s 2006 website, it makes the following representation: “The limited edition artwork in this exhibition consists of lithographs, serigraphs, and copper etchings, hand-reproduced from the original drawings." and then makes the folowing disclosure: "All reproductions are clearly identified as posthumously created under the control and supervision of Yoko Ono Lennon.”[FN 50]

WHAT IS MEANT BY REPRESENTATION?
On page 1303 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -representation- is defined as: “A presentation of fact - either by words or by conduct - made to induce someone to act, esp to enter into a contract.”[FN 51]

On page 476 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -disclosure- is defined as: “The act or process of making known something that was previously unknown.”[FN 52] 

For the Yoko Ono and her business associate Legacy Production Inc. to make a -representation- in the title of this exhibit “artwork” then make the -disclosure- hidden in the small print of their website that in reality the so-called “artwork” are posthumous “reproductions,” as if these concepts were interchangeable, would be, at best, “an inference or conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises”[FN 53] which is one legal definition of -non-sequitur-.

WHAT IS FRAUD?

On page 670 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -fraud- is defined as: “a knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment.”[FN 54]

So, would a Yoko Ono and her business associates Legacy Production Inc. and Pacific Edge Gallery misrepresentation of posthumous colorized and altered forgeries, much less non-disclosed reproductions, as -artwork- be potentially committing “a knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment?”

11. UNITED STATES POST OFFICE

In Section 1341, Fraud and Swindles of the UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE, it states: “Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representation or promises, or to sell, dispose of, loan, exchange, alter, give away, distribute, supply, or furnish or procure for unlawful use any counterfeit or spurious coin, obligation, security, or other article, or anything represented to be or intimated or held out to be such counterfeit or spurious article, for the purpose of executing such scheme or artifice or attempting so to do, places in any post office or authorized depository for mail matter, any matter or thing whatever to be sent or delivered by the Postal Service, or deposits or causes to be deposited any matter or thing whatever to sent or delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier, or takes or receives therefrom, any such matter or thing, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail or such carrier according to the direction thereon, or at the place at which it is directed to be delivered by the person to whom it is addressed, any such matter or thing, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. If the violation affects a financial institution, such person shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.”[FN 55]

PRECEDENT

In the March 17, 2004 News-10-Now’s “US Attorney’s Office investigates art fraud” story by Carmen Grant, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher is quoted as stating: “What we found is that Anthony Marone and William Yager conspired with one another, since at least as far back as 1999, to post on ebay for auction works of art that they represented to be original by original famous artists, and what they actually sold was counterfeit works of art. By doing that they committed several federal offenses including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.”[FN 56]

Would Yoko Ono’s and her business associates Legacy Production Inc.’s a.k.a Legacy Fine Arts and Productions and Pacific Edge Gallery’s promotion and sale of non-disclosed colorized and altered forgeries, much less reproductions, as the Artwork of John Lennon through their websites be considered “wire fraud?”

CONCLUSION

What needs to be accomplished is the full and honest disclosure to these contentious issues of authenticity with the promotion and sale by the Yoko Ono, her business associates Legacy Production Inc. a.k.a. Legacy Fine Arts and Productions, Pacific Edge Gallery and others, of non-disclosed posthumous colorized and altered forgeries, much less reproductions, falsely attributed to a dead John Lennon and misrepresented as the Artwork of John Lennon.

Remember, “The act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine” is one legal definition of -forgery-.

In the absence of such full and honest disclosure, serious questions of law and the penalties they exact may come into play for all who participate, much less profit, from this Artwork of John Lennon -fraud-.

The reputations and legacy of living and past artists, present and future art gallery patrons and the art-buying public deserve the re-establishment of the obvious; that the living presence and participation of the artist to once again be required, as it always should have been, to create the piece of art attributable to the artist if indeed it is attributed to them, much less purported to have been signed by them.

FOOTNOTES:
1. Copyright © 1999, By West Group, ISBN 0-314-22864-0

2. Ibid

3.Works of Art, Collector’s Pieces Antiques, and Other Cultural Property * An Informed Compliance Publication * U.S. Customs May 2006 “The expression “original engravings, prints and lithographs” means impressions produced directly, in black and white or in color, of one or of several plates wholly executed by the artist, irrespective of the process or of the material employed by him, but excluding any mechanical or photomechanical process.”

4. Copyright © 1991 by Bena Mayer, ISBN 0-06-461012-8 (pbk.)

5. John Lennon catalogue, Published by Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112 - Laguna Beach CA 92651- 2479 - www.lennonart.com

6. Robert Game. Susan Farquhar . Fine Art Printers, 512 Lansdowne Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6H 3Y3, 416 588-7399

7. Copyright © 1999, By West Group, ISBN 0-314-22864-0

8.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20148&item=3774421395 &rd=1

9. www.lennon art.com/lennonas.htm Pacific Edge Gallery

10. Ibid

11. Copyright © 1999, By West Group, ISBN 0-314-22864-0

12. Ibid

13. ibid

14. Ibid

15. Ibid

16. www.johnlennonartwork.com/shows.html

17.  John Lennon catalogue, Published by Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112 - Laguna Beach CA 92651- 2479 - www.lennonart.com

18. www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#101

19. Copyright © 1991 by Bena Mayer, ISBN 0-06-461012-8 (pbk.)

20. Copyright © 1999, By West Group, ISBN 0-314-22864-0

21.www.johnlennonartwork.com/frame.html Legacy Production Inc’s old 2002 website

22. In His Own Write, Copyright © 1964 by John Lennon, Published by Simon Schuster, Inc., Rockefeller Center, 630 Fifth Avenue, New York 20, N.Y., Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 64-3385

23. www.lennonart.com/lennonas.htm

24. Copyright © 1999, By West Group, ISBN 0-314-22864-0

25, Publisher: Prentice Hall (October 20, 1994), ISBN-10: 0133045935, ISBN-13: 978-0133045932

26. John Lennon real love, The Drawings for Sean, "Adapted by Al Naclerio from drawings by John Lennon, © 1999 by Yoko Ono Lennon,  Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 18, 1999), ASIN: B008T1NCSE

27. Ibid

28 www.johnlennonartwork.com/ popup_reallove.html

29. www.lennonart.com/newrel.htm

30.  July 16, 1997 Detroit News “in loving color: Lennon art with an Ono flair -- comes to Ann Arbor” article by Art Critic Joy Hakanson Colby

31. Ibid

32. Ibid

33. Publisher: Grove Press (1976), ASIN: B007EU6I78

34. Ibid

35. www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/01-11-96/review1.htm

36. Publisher: Grove Press (1976), ASIN: B007EU6I78

37.  Ibid

38.  John Lennon catalogue with the byline: Pacific Edge Gallery 540 S. Coast Hwy., #112. Laguna Beach, CA 92651-2479, www.lennonart.com

39. http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/CIV/5/d3/4/1/1/s1738

40.http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$ACA15.01$$@TXACA015.01+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=BROWSER+&TOKEN=27067392+&TARGET=VIEW

41.http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$ACA15.15$$@TXACA015.15+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=BROWSER+&TOKEN=27067392+&TARGET=VIEW

42.http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$ACA11.01$$@TXACA011.01+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=BROWSER+&TOKEN=27067392+&TARGET=VIEW

43.http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0800-0899/0817/Sections/0817.034.html

44. Ibid

45. http://www.artworldnews.com/

46. Ibid

47. Ibid

48. Ibid

49. Ibid

50. Legacy Fine Arts and Productions 330 Clematis St. West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 651-1156

51. Copyright © 1999, By West Group, ISBN 0-314-22864-0

52. Ibid

53. Ibid

54. Ibid

55. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001341----000-.html

56. news10now.com/content/all_news/?ArID= 12317&SecID=83



PRINCIPALS:
















Lynne Clifford of Bay One Arts. Photos by Eileen Casey

In the Hampton.com published August 28, 2008 John Lennon's 'Come Together' Art Draws Crowd At Southampton Inn" article by Eileen Casey, the reporter quoted Lynne Clifford stating: "That this exhibition can sometimes represent someone's first real exposure to art and that just makes for a wonderful feeling to see how affected someone can be by these works."

Lynne Clifford
Bag One Arts
110 West 79th Street
New York, New York 10024
(212) 595-5537



















Producer Larry Schwartz of Legacy Productions

Larry Schwartz
Legacy Fine Arts and Productions Inc.
330 Clematis St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 651-1156

















Curator Rudy Siegel

Rudy Siegel
Legacy Fine Arts and Productions Inc.
330 Clematis St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 651-1156

Additionally, in the Hampton.com published August 28, 2008 John Lennon's 'Come Together' Art Draws Crowd At Southampton Inn" article by Eileen Casey, the reporter wrote: "both Larry Schwartz and Rudy Siegel commented on how welcoming and gracious they and members of Legacy Productions had been treated by the community and the Southampton Inn."

Yoko Ono
c/o Bag One Arts
110 West 79th Street
New York, New York 10024
(212) 595-5537

In the Hampton.com published August 11, 2010 "Yoko Ono-Lennon Discusses lennon Art Exhibition" interview by Eileen Casey, the reporter wrote: "This year's exhibition, "Come Together" - A Look Into John Lennon's Life Through His Artwork - will be held at the Southampton Inn from August 22 through August 24, and includes hand-signed pieces, as well as limited edition prints, serigraphs, lithographs, copper etchings and aqua tints – all of which are for sale, with proceeds from this exhibition to benefit the Human Resources of the Hamptons."

Recklessly, this reporter Eileen Casey repeated this same misleading statement in the Hampton.com published August 28, 2008 John Lennon's 'Come Together' Art Draws Crowd At Southampton Inn" article, where she wrote: "The exhibition, which has been touring for 15 years aligns with a local charity that benefits from the proceeds raised from artwork that is sold. This year's event was for the benefit of The Human Resources of the Hamptons chosen personally by Ono-Lennon."

Yoko Ono and her business partner Legacy Fine Art & Production Inc. donate the voluntary donations given by the patrons at the door to this so-called "Artwork of John Lennon" exhibition. The money from the sales of these non-disclosed forgeries go into Yoko Ono's pockets.

This would have been easliy confirmed by Hampton.com's reporter Eileen Casey, if she had actually read, much less quoted what is printed at the bottom of Legacy Fine Art & Production Inc. promotional poster at the entrance to this exhibition with a transparent donation container: "We are asking for a donation to: Human Resources of the Hamptons. - Please make a generous donation. GIVING IS INSTANT KARMA."

Additionally, in the interview with Yoko Ono, the reporter asked: "Would you comment on any effect the appeal of this exhibition may have with regard to art appreciation and collectors versus curiosity and consumerism?

Yoko is quoted stating: "You are being very tactful and that is an interesting question. We hope people will come to see the artwork and by keeping the prices low and affordable their participation will benefit charities important to the areas where they live; that the exhibition will speak out to people to discuss love and peace. We are all in this family together."
Yoko Ono and her Legacy Fine Art & Production Inc. business associates' hubris seems to have no limits.

SOURCES: http://www.hamptons.com/Around-Town-Southampton/Neighborhood/4546/Yoko-Ono-Lennon-Discusses-Lennon-Art-Exhibition.html
http://www.hamptons.com/Around-Town-Southampton/Life-Style/4652/John-Lennons-Come-Together-Art-Draws-Crowds-At.html

Rudy Siegel's -Bait and Switch-

As for Yoko Ono's Legacy Fine Art and Production Inc. exhibition producer Rudy Siegel and his pronouncements that "clients were given full information about their purchases and '99.9%' had no complaints about what they bought," this is an excerpt of WUSA 2006 broadcast story on how Rudy Siegel responds to these serious accusations of fraud with the Artwork of John Lennon exhibition and sale when the news media knows the questions to ask.

• In a June 29, 2006 Washington D.C. station WUSA Channel 9 televised [Artwork of John Lennon exhibition in Alexandria, VA] story by reporter Bruce Leshan, the -exhibit spokesman- Rudy Siegel [in response to the reporter's questions] made the following statements: "The majority of the work on display was printed posthumously. - The artwork is coming from the Lennon estate. People aren't stupid. They know the difference between a print and an original."

Here is what Rudy Siegel says when the news media does -not- know the questions to ask.

•  In a November 30, 2010 Atlanta Journal Constitution published "Lennon's art 'unassuming' Galleries eventually came to value work of ex-Beatle, Ono says" article by Sheila Poole, the reporter wrote: "Folks have been collecting and viewing John Lennon's work for 40 years," said Rudy Siegel, a producer at Legacy Productions, who helped put together the tour with Ono and Bag One Arts. "He was so prolific," Siegel said. "He was at home raising Sean and drawing. He wasn't doing any songwriting or recording. It was his outlet at the time to express himself."

Notice in the above statements attributed, by the WUSA television station, London Times and Atlanta Journal Constitution, to Legacy Fine Art and Production Inc.'s Artwork of John Lennon exhibition producer Rudy Siegel that he seems reluctant to admit differences in 2006, denies everything in 2010 and then spins a tangled web of deception six months later. 

Rudy Siegel has no shame.

  

On page 137 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -bait and switch- is defined, in part, as: "Most states prohibit the bait and switch when the original product is not actually available as advertised."



London Times

Oh no! Yoko colours in Lennon's prints

by Cristina Ruiz and Jon Ungoed-Thomas

YOKO ONO faces a row over significantly altered prints of artworks by John Lennon, which have been sold for millions of pounds.

Lennon, who was a student at the Liverpool College of Art, produced three books of black-and-white illustrations. Prints of these works, overseen by Ono, have been offered for sale in Britain and America.

However, some have been coloured in, issued as limited edition prints and stamped with the former Beatle’s special insignia. In some cases, it is claimed extra characters may have been added.

Gary Arseneau, a Florida-based artist and creator of original lithographs who has investigated the sales, claims that the works should not be sold under the name of Lennon, who was shot dead in 1980.

He said: “This is work that John Lennon has never seen, never created, never approved, and never signed. The dead don’t create artwork.”

Ono strongly denies that her late husband’s work has in any way been misrepresented. She has said she decided to colour some of Lennon’s drawings after his death, but buyers of the limited edition prints are told of any changes.

In the mid-1980s, Ono was anxious to gain more recognition for Lennon’s art and started to issue limited prints of his drawings. More than 50 illustrations were selected with a print run of about 300 for each one. They sell for between $225 (£150) and $9,000 (£6,000) each.

The prints are stamped with Lennon’s “chop” mark — a stamp traditionally used by artists in the Far East. Marketing material for the prints states: “Each limited-edition fine art print is authenticated by John Lennon’s embossed signature and John’s personal chop mark.”

Arseneau says the works should not even be permitted to be sold as limited prints or lithographs, since Lennon was not alive to oversee the process. He cites US customs rules which state that artistic prints of a limited number should be “wholly executed by hand by the artist”.

Arseneau also looked at some of the original drawings on which he believes the coloured versions are based. One gallery catalogue includes a colour picture called An Egg Hatching. Arseneau believes this limited edition print may have been coloured and adapted from a rudimentary drawing in Lennon’s book, Skywriting by Word of Mouth, which was published in 1986. He points out that figures appear to have been added to the picture.

Arseneau has established that an illustrator was hired by Ono to work on Lennon’s drawings. Al Naclerio worked on pictures that appeared in a book, Real Love: The Drawings for Sean, published after Lennon’s death.

Naclerio is credited in the book for “adapting” Lennon’s work, but prints of the same pictures are being sold with no apparent credit for Naclerio on the websites where the work is promoted.

One of the pictures in the book features giraffes and elephants on a plain, entitled A Herd Moving. It appears to be loosely based on an illustration from Lennon’s 1964 book, In His Own Write, but animals seem to have been added.

A Herd Moving has also appeared in a gallery catalogue promoting Lennon’s work. Again, there is no credit for the illustrator who adapted it.

Two galleries in America are authorised by Ono to sell and exhibit Lennon’s work: Legacy Fine Art and Productions in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Pacific Edge Gallery in Laguna Beach, California.
Artworks attributed to Lennon have been exhibited across the world, including shows in Britain, and sold to fans.

Arseneau’s investigations are now raising questions about whether the images can be billed as original and authentic work by Lennon.

This weekend an exhibition in Georgetown, Washington, entitled In My Life, is displaying “100 pieces of art created by John Lennon”. One commentator said it might be more accurate to refer to the works as “posters” or “altered reproductions”.

Rudy Siegel, of Legacy Productions, said clients were given full information about their purchases and “99.9%” had no complaints about what they had bought.