There
have been requests for the best source of information regarding the
marks used by Tiffany and the best and cheapest reference comes from Antique
& Collectors Reproduction News and is copyrighted 2004.
It is titled Bronzes With Fake Tiffany Marks and is 5
pages in length. Many but not all of the current fakes are shown in
this very informative article and it shows the marks used and
describes the differences in finishes. They are constantly updating
dealers and collectors with news of the current fakes by McCoy,
Weller, Roseville and Van Briggle plus many of the very expensive
pieces that are being faked. For the more advance collector we
suggest Louis C. Tiffany's Glass - Bronzes - Lamps by
Robert Koch which can usually be found on Ebay for around $30.00 and
the best of all is Tiffany At Auction by Alastair
Duncan which can sometimes be found on Ebay selling in the $500.00 to
$800.00 range. Duncan published a new and improved bible on all
things Tiffany and it is named Tiffany
- Lamps and Metalware
and sells for approximately $130.00. Many many pictures to help you
identify the real from the fake. It is still difficult and the best
and the safest way is to deal with one of the many respected Tiffany
dealers which can be determined by references from other collectors.
There are a few real basic
rules that could save you a lot of money when buying Tiffany on Ebay.
Read them carefully.
1. Never buy unless there is
an absolute guarantee in the listing that the item offered is genuine
and this guarantee should be backed with a statement to the effect
that the seller will take it back if not genuine.
2. Always be sure and see the
bottom or base of the item. Most pieces will be signed and when a
seller tells you it is signed but fails to show you the signature,
that seller is usually hiding something. Also remember that signed
Tiffany does not make it Tiffany.
3. The most expensive frauds
are committed by sellers with vague addresses - Southeast US, Tiger
Country, Home of the Brave, South of the Border and our all time
favorite Route 66.
4. Always read their feedback
and when they have none, shut you checkbook. Feedback can be gained
by buying a lot of cheap junk to make a higher number and by reading
their feedback closely, you will see what they are about.
5. Check their past sales
looking for sale of high end pieces and when it is not there, be
careful about who you are dealing with.
6. Provenance is important
but it is not the story - "the owner says it is Tiffany" is
not provenance.
7. Be very careful when you
see Tiffany offered by a "selling service" becuase they
will not stand behind the product and when you pay, the money is gone.
Remember that the items
posted on this site are the opinions of several advisors to the site.
It it were easy to tell the real from the fake, this site would not
be necessary and you should use your own judgment regarding the items
shown on the site. There is no secret agenda, no maliciousness is
intended and we have no financial interest in the outcome of any
auction or sale.
Particular attention should
be given to glass items as they are the most difficult to determine
good from bad and we suggest if you are contemplating a purchase, you
should consult someone with broad Tiffany experience.
We will correct any mistakes
brought to our attention immediately but it must be from a recognized
authority. The major auction houses, the recognized experts and the
common person have all made mistakes and we share that distinction
with them.
If there is anything on the
site that offends you, do not visit the site.