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Authenticity is Everything
American Royal Arts Corp. and Jerry Gladstone Sued by Beatles Expert Frank Caiazzo [Apr. 13 Update]
Case settled. Read report on settlement here:
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2010: Beatles autograph expert and authenticator Frank Caiazzo filed suit today against memorabilia dealer American Royal Arts Corp. and its president, Jerry Gladstone.
"Frank Caiazzo v. American Royal Arts Corp. and Jerry Gladstone" was filed Thursday morning, Sept. 23, in the New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County.
According to the suit, Caiazzo seeks to recover compensatory damages, punitive damages and legal fees of no less than $500,000. The causes of action listed in the suit include: Defamation, Trade Libel, Tortious Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage, and Prima Facie Tort.
Caiazzo's damages claimed in the suit revolve around a lawsuit American Royal Arts filed against him in Florida for calling a Revolver album they sold as signed by the Beatles a forgery. After almost three years, that case hasn't moved beyond a battle over jurisdiction. Last fall the Lower Court ruled that Florida was the proper venue for the case, and Caiazzo has appealed the decision.
Ironically, American Royal Arts' lawsuit against Caiazzo caught the attention of the New York Office of the FBI, which launched a criminal investigation into Jerry Gladstone and a number of his associates, including American Royal Arts' autograph suppliers and authenticators, over the suspected trafficking in forged autographs and memorabilia. The investigation is ongoing.
On August 14, 2010, American Royal Arts filed for an "Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors," a Florida form of corporate dissolution similar to a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court. According to reported deposition testimony by American Royal Arts VP Agnes Palmer, inventory unsalable due to the FBI investigation was one of the leading reasons for the filing.
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"Frank Caiazzo v. American Royal Arts Corp. and Jerry Gladstone" was filed Thursday morning, Sept. 23, in the New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County.
According to the suit, Caiazzo seeks to recover compensatory damages, punitive damages and legal fees of no less than $500,000. The causes of action listed in the suit include: Defamation, Trade Libel, Tortious Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage, and Prima Facie Tort.
Caiazzo's damages claimed in the suit revolve around a lawsuit American Royal Arts filed against him in Florida for calling a Revolver album they sold as signed by the Beatles a forgery. After almost three years, that case hasn't moved beyond a battle over jurisdiction. Last fall the Lower Court ruled that Florida was the proper venue for the case, and Caiazzo has appealed the decision.
Ironically, American Royal Arts' lawsuit against Caiazzo caught the attention of the New York Office of the FBI, which launched a criminal investigation into Jerry Gladstone and a number of his associates, including American Royal Arts' autograph suppliers and authenticators, over the suspected trafficking in forged autographs and memorabilia. The investigation is ongoing.
On August 14, 2010, American Royal Arts filed for an "Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors," a Florida form of corporate dissolution similar to a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court. According to reported deposition testimony by American Royal Arts VP Agnes Palmer, inventory unsalable due to the FBI investigation was one of the leading reasons for the filing.
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Blog Update Sept. 26: Revolver Revealed
The album above is the Revolver album purportedly signed by the Beatles that American Royal Arts sued Frank Caiazzo over for calling a Southern California forgery. Jerry Gladstone never posted the album online and it was not attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit.
We don't know anyone who has seen the Revolver album since the suit was filed. While not a trusted source, one of American Royal Arts' authenticators, Mike Frost of P.A.A.S., told us that he asked to see the Revolver album and Gladstone refused to even show it to him.
See the related story: Beatles-Signed Abbey Road Albums: What's Real? What's Fake?
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Comment by BallroomDays67 on September 25, 2010 at 8:43pm
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Yeah, there's a mint copy of that second printing available on eBay right now for $74.99 or best offer. And, yes, if it's permanently glued to a foam backing, it's probably worth 10% or less of the value of a near mint copy. On a positive note, they didn't damage a rare first printing.
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Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 25, 2010 at 9:02pm
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Ballroom, can you tell us about your experience in posters? I think it's important for people reading this to know how much weight to give you input. You seem to know what you're talking about, though.
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That's "your" input...I'm not from the Boroughs.
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Here's a signed Woodstock poster the same customer bought, shot through the frame. It was sold as an original 1969 "3 Days of Peace & Music" poster.
I don't know if the poster is authentic or not. We do know about the autographs, though. Click to enlarge.
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Here's the Eddie Van Halen "Frankenstein" guitar he supposedly played onstage in 1983-83 during his "Hide Your Sheep" Tour. Strange thing is Eddie still owns the Frankenstein guitar he played on stage then, and it's different than this one in any case. This is the guitar Jerry Gladstone claimed he got from Brian Slavin at Autograph Central, who I believe said he got it from Van Halen.
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I've been collecting concert posters, mainly from the 60's, for about 8 years...Doors, Love, Velvet Underground, Fillmore, Avalon Ballroom, Grande Ballroom, etc. I have a few Earl Warren posters, but not first printings of the Hendrix ones. I am looking to add both of those to my collection, so I know what to look for. I do have an authentic Woodstock poster, and there are definitely bootlegs available.
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Here's something interesting, a 50th GRAMMYS logo guitar supposedly signed at the GRAMMYS by a plethora of A-List musicians, including U2, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, BB King, Celine Dion.
Celine was in South Africa during the 50th GRAMMYS...but that's only a technicality.
The GRAMMYS says they never issued a guitar or sold rights for a 50th logo sticker, so their trademark was violated...but the guitar was reportedly authenticated by Christopher Morales, so that should give you a level of confidence. Click to enlarge.
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Forgot to add that the GRAMMYS told us that no one was allowed near these musicians to get them to sign at the event.
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Ballroom, thank you. So you're not an expert, but an avid experienced poster collector who believes he knows what to look for. That makes your input valuable, but not as valuable as an experienced professional.
Sound right to you?
Steve
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Comment by Bill Panagopulos on September 25, 2010 at 10:01pm
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For more on Mr. Morales' talents, please take a peek at the Morales vs. Epperson blog here:
http://live.autographmagazine.com/profiles/blogs/christopher-morale...
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