Vince Greck , a new Australian dealer on CAF

[Terry Doyle]

Hi

 

I had the following link sent to me this morning by a collector friend:

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=86678

 

I don't want to jump to any conclusions on this, but on reading the spiel in Vince Greck's newly-opened CAF Gallery, I did see (as was pointed out to me by my friend) that some of the inventory mentioned lists artists that featured in Richard Rae's gallery.

 

As folks here ought to remember, Rae was a confidence trickster who burned a number of collectors.

 

At this early stage, all I want to suggest to anyone interested in doing business with Mr Greck is that they approach with caution and stipulate some safety measures in any would-be deal.

 

If Mr Greck's on the level, that shouldn't be a problem for him to accommodate.

 

 

 

[thehumantorch]

bump

[Terry Doyle]

I e-mailed Mr Greck, yesterday, asking for a listing of artwork on offer.

 

Still awaiting a response.

 

 

[seanfingh]

 

Any Kirby/Royer originals?

[Terry Doyle]

Any Kirby/Royer originals?

 

I've just sent him a second e-mail asking about the 'Kirby' originals.

 

In the meantime, for those who haven't checked-out the link, here's a cut-and-paste job of Mr Greck's CAF spiel:

 

 

Estate Clearing

 

Estate Clearing solely specialises with deceased and divorced estates of artists and collectors of assorted items including some unique items as well as books, comics, newspapers, prints, personally signed photos, posters, toys, original fine art and original comic art. Basically our goal is to find new “loved” homes for thousands of collectable items currently in our possession and care, many of which are part of the history we know and love. From a great copy of MARVEL STORIES (1940) with interior art by Simon & Kirby as well as the follow-up comic story involving the famous first Torch vs. Sub-Mariner battle to an authentic personally inscribed 8 x 10 photo of Richard Webb to an action doll of Adolf Hitler still in it’s original box, clearly our catalogue is diverse and sometimes “odd”. Of interest along with a number of personal and confidential transactions, recently we obtained from the Boyd-Estate six (6) fine art original paintings by the recently deceased David Boyd (look his name up) some from the 1960’s that we are selling in one extremely cheap lot for just AUS$10,000, this is a bargain by any standard, further we are of the understanding that we are the only group “in the world” in possession of original comic book cover art by the great Stanley Pitt as well as the last published comic book cover original art pencilled and inked by American legend Al Williamson. Over time original art will be placed in our CAF gallery done by Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Tom Sutton, Jack Kirby, George Wilson, Gil Kane, Vaughn Bode, George Wunder, and many other great artists, all for sale, including an extremely rare and historical WW1 large “display sized” original fine-art comic illustration signed and dated 1916 by the brilliant Syd Nicholls. To lunch us onto CAF we have a great one-off “George Perez 1970s Splash-Special” featuring two great original published MARVEL pages for just AUS$3,500 – check it out. All of our items are for sale and while we do not “trade” we are always open to sincere offers. We also often sell assorted related items in “groups” however the majority of original art items are sold separately for the financial convenience of our buyers that we always offer time-payments, no items are sent until final payments clear. insurance and tracking are a must, personal pick-up or inspection before purchase can be arranged however keep in mind that we are based in Australia, postage and handling price upon request. Vince

 

Bit far to go to for a personal inspection, for USA collectors . . .

 

 

[Terry Doyle]

Have now added the following comment to the four pieces of art currently in Mr Greck's CAF:

 

Hi, 'Vince' . . . can you post some photos of your Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Tom Sutton, Jack Kirby and George Wilson pieces, please?

 

I'm expecting one of two things . . .

 

1. My comments get deleted.

 

2. He starts uploading images of the art I enquire about.

 

 

 

[revat]

I think I would want this anyways, but if I'm making a huge online purchase, and I was (for whatever reason) unsure about the potential 'issues', I would ask for them to take a pic of the item next to a copy of a newspaper or something.

 

Make sure they have it, at the minimum. Get a look at the front/back/closeups, all with the newspaper involved. Look over the pics, maybe get a skype thing going if at all possible.

 

 

[lb jefferies]

Starting to feel a little bit like a witch hunt. Not all Australian dealers are crooks. Perhaps just chill on this guy until if and when it's known he's affiliated with Rae?

[murch]

Have now added the following comment to the four pieces of art currently in Mr Greck's CAF:

 

Hi, 'Vince' . . . can you post some photos of your Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Tom Sutton, Jack Kirby and George Wilson pieces, please?

 

I'm expecting one of two things . . .

 

1. My comments get deleted.

 

2. He starts uploading images of the art I enquire about.

 

 

 

No offence, but I'd probably delete your comments if I were him.

 

I know that you're being cautious for the right reasons, but you've adopted a very "guilty until proven innocent" attitude with this guy based on pure speculation on your part.

[Terry Doyle]

Have now added the following comment to the four pieces of art currently in Mr Greck's CAF:

 

Hi, 'Vince' . . . can you post some photos of your Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Tom Sutton, Jack Kirby and George Wilson pieces, please?

 

I'm expecting one of two things . . .

 

1. My comments get deleted.

 

2. He starts uploading images of the art I enquire about.

 

 

 

No offence, but I'd probably delete your comments if I were him.

 

I know that you're being cautious for the right reasons, but you've adopted a very "guilty until proven innocent" attitude with this guy based on pure speculation on your part.

 

Believe me, I hope this guy is bona fide.

 

I'd hate to see anyone get burned.

 

 

[Terry Doyle]

Starting to feel a little bit like a witch hunt. Not all Australian dealers are crooks. Perhaps just chill on this guy until if and when it's known he's affiliated with Rae?

 

I'm trying to find that out.

[Terry Doyle]

Two e-mails that have gone unanswered . . .

 

Surely someone wanting to sell artwork would make a prompt reply?

 

Only a small handful of artwork images uploaded . . .

 

The text mentions artists that featured in Richard Rae's galleries . . .

 

The alarm bells are sounding for me but, hey, maybe it's best to do nothing about this ?

[Terry Doyle]

Following e-mail received from Vince Greck:

 

"h i Terry, items will be listed over a number of weeks, but it's good 2 c your keen, I've had 2 deleat your comments in our current gallery because they were not about the item listed. please keep in contact, Vince"

 

 

 

 

[Terry Doyle]

Following e-mail received from Vince Greck:

 

"h i Terry, items will be listed over a number of weeks, but it's good 2 c your keen, I've had 2 deleat your comments in our current gallery because they were not about the item listed. please keep in contact, Vince"

 

 

 

 

deleat?

[seanfingh]

[comix4fun]

Following e-mail received from Vince Greck:

 

"h i Terry, items will be listed over a number of weeks, but it's good 2 c your keen, I've had 2 deleat your comments in our current gallery because they were not about the item listed. please keep in contact, Vince"

 

 

 

 

deleat?

 

 

repleat with defeat when you repeat and not deleat, your conseat is compleat.

[Brian Peck]

Terry,

I also think you are jumping the gun, just because he is an Australian and selling Stanley Pitt art doesn't make him Richard Rae. Pitt is the biggest artist to come out of Australia its like selling John Romita art here in the states. I know he has mentioned having Kirby art but nothing about Kirby/Royer. The stuff I have seen him post and what he has talked about so far is more high end than what Rae had. Yes I had contact with Richard Rae in the past, I don't think Vince is Rae.

Vince has been popping up in the CAF chat so if you want to chat with him come on by (midnight PST).

[Terry Doyle]

Terry,

I also think you are jumping the gun, just because he is an Australian and selling Stanley Pitt art doesn't make him Richard Rae. Pitt is the biggest artist to come out of Australia its like selling John Romita art here in the states. I know he has mentioned having Kirby art but nothing about Kirby/Royer. The stuff I have seen him post and what he has talked about so far is more high end than what Rae had. Yes I had contact with Richard Rae in the past, I don't think Vince is Rae.

Vince has been popping up in the CAF chat so if you want to chat with him come on by (midnight PST).

 

I work shifts, Brian, so it's not feasible to go on CAF chat.

 

I sent Vince a couple of e-mails over the past few days. No response to either, despite his CAF spiel actively encouraging private contact.

 

If you want to sell something, surely you promptly follow it up when a would-be-customer makes contact?

 

And, no, it's not just the Stanley Pitt art.

 

Rae conned a friend of mine out of two George Wilson paintings. Interesting to note that Greck says he has Wilson art.

 

Co-incidence?

 

Perhaps.

 

Like I say, I do hope I'm wrong about all this. I'd sooner end up with egg on my face than see another friend get stung.

 

At this point in time, I'm not convinced either way.

 

All I'm suggesting is that collectors should have their guard up if wanting to do business with this guy.

 

Interesting to note that as Rae's CAF gallery winds down (he claims to be down to his last 3 pieces), Greck's appears.

 

If Rae sold off a fair chunk of art, at a time his notoriety was high, where did it end up . . . who bought the artworks . . . how did they shift so quickly?

 

If all this sounds like a witch hunt, so be it. Though I don't see it as being any different to other collectors highlighting suspicious-looking eBay offerings.

 

Make of it what you will.

 

Be seeing you . . .

[Royd]

Given his (or their) statement that "personal pick-up or inspection before purchase can be arranged", it should be possible (depending on their location) to have a known/trusted Aussie CAF or Comicart-L member to check out the artwork.

 

Unfortunately, I'm located in Perth and I suspect that Vince Greck will likely reside in Sydney or Melbourne. However, there are knowledgeable Aussie collectors like Peter Pein in Sydney or others in Melbourne who could be asked to help out.

 

Their claim to be the "only group “in the world” in possession of original comic book cover art by the great Stanley Pitt" is interesting because Richard Rae did represent and sell Stanley Pitt's originals for some time and I believe he still has Pitt covers in his collection. Best,

 

Royd (Aussie art dealer handling the sale of Nicola Scott, Colin Wilson, Ardian Syaf, Ben Stenbeck and Justin Randall's original artwork)

 

 

[Terry Doyle]

Given his (or their) statement that "personal pick-up or inspection before purchase can be arranged", it should be possible (depending on their location) to have a known/trusted Aussie CAF or Comicart-L member to check out the artwork.

 

Unfortunately, I'm located in Perth and I suspect that Vince Greck will likely reside in Sydney or Melbourne. However, there are knowledgeable Aussie collectors like Peter Pein in Sydney or others in Melbourne who could be asked to help out.

 

Their claim to be the "only group “in the world” in possession of original comic book cover art by the great Stanley Pitt" is interesting because Richard Rae did represent and sell Stanley Pitt's originals for some time and I believe he still has Pitt covers in his collection. Best,

 

Royd (Aussie art dealer handling the sale of Nicola Scott, Colin Wilson, Ardian Syaf, Ben Stenbeck and Justin Randall's original artwork)

 

 

Sounds like a great idea, Royd, thanks for suggesting it. (thumbs u

 

Hopefully, any niggling concerns I currently have will prove unfounded.