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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 Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 25, 2010 at 10:11pm
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The 50th GRAMMYS guitar was offered by American Royal Arts, in their catalog, and I believe it was supplied by Gallery of Dreams. Gallery of Dreams claims they helped charities raise $40,000,000 in the last five years through auctions of signed memorabilia. Unfortunately, we've never seen anything from Gallery of Dreams we thought had even a remote chance of being genuine.
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Comment by BallroomDays67 on September 25, 2010 at 11:00pm
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Steve, Yes, I would agree with that. My opinion regarding the Hendrix poster currently offered on the website is based upon information provided by an experienced professional. Also, I have the common reprint of that poster in my collection.
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Thanks, Ballroom.
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Comment by Stephen Duncan on September 26, 2010 at 5:12am
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Hi Steve,
Which issue was it that had that full detail on Beatles signed albums (much like your December 2009 issue that Roger wrote on Led Zeppelin?). I am very interested in re-reading it, or anything similiar as a point of reference for what Beatles ablums are out there that are fully signed.
Thank you, or to anyone else that remembers what issue.
Stephen
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Steve, we haven't had a comprehensive article on signed Beatles albums in years. Last was a 2-part feature in the 1990s by Frank. I've asked him to do another one for a couple years, but he was afraid Gladstone would cause him even more grief if he did.
But I'll try to blog on the Beatles this week.
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Comment by roger epperson on September 26, 2010 at 7:55am
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That study by Frank you are talking about is so well done and covers the whole enchilada of Beatles signatures from 1962-1992 band and solo. Great reading, great exemplars and it really puts things in perspective. His 70's Lennon and Harrison's 70's and 80's exemplars should be in every collectors files.
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Roger, I'll see about republishing it for the time being...until we get a new one out.
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American Royal Arts' lawsuit against Frank Caiazzo had the chilling effect Gladstone clearly wanted it to: it made honest experts with a lot of important information to share and nothing to hide afraid to speak up. Gladstone's lawsuit against Frank put a horse's head on the bedpost of every reputable rock expert.
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Steve - YES, I would LOVE to read Mr. Caiazzo's study! Thank you so much :)
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We just updated this news post with an image of the Revolver album American Royal Arts sued Frank Caiazzo over for calling a Southern California forgery.
As far as we know, this album has not been seen online since ARA offered it for sale in 2007.
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