Park West Galleries, Peter Max, and Fraud Allegations

[Heymoe]

Park West has been selling on Royal for a long time, but their reputation has gotten even murkier today.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/28/business/peter-max-dementia-cruise-ship-auctions.html

 

In short, know the value of what you're buying (Google is your friend. A one day Voom pass could save you from a lot of regret).  Buy only what you love, not something the company hints 'might increase in value'.

Edited May 28, 2019 by Heymoe

[cathykb]

That's a really sad story...

[PopeyeDaSailor]

I always thought it a weird mixture to suddenly buy expensive art while cruising.  If you're going to drop a lot of money on art I would think an independent gallery would be the place to do that, not _______ of the Seas.

[sunsetme]

very sad story

[NewfieGuy1972]

Agreed, Sad!

[AlanF65]

Park West has some nice "Wall Art" aesthetically pleasing pieces that may fit ones decor that can be had at low prices if you negotiate correctly.

 

I bought my first Dali from a local gallery in the 70's and was told back then about issues with signed paper without any images being sold by Dali or his agent. The gallery I bought from had a Dali historian there to explain the market and the "copies" and the provenance, the publisher had a chain of documents that backed the authenticity.

 

Park West offered me a Dali package which I declined on my first cruise, the provenance was weak and the images didn't interest me.

 

Other that wall art I can't see buying art on a cruise ship. I did buy some nice watercolors from a local gallery in Alaska last year.

 

A-

 

 

[njkruzer]

Yes a sad story as to Peter Max, but as to Park West, wouldn't buy from them.  Also only would buy what I love and never expect it to increase in value. 

[captainannoyed!]

A cruise isn't a good place to spend big money investing in art, or anything else really.  Park West isn't either, IMHO.  That article is really sad.

 

I bought a few pieces on my first cruise, which I don't regret.  I only paid the minimum, and would never suggest anyone actually bid.  Yes, I 'overpaid' compared to the prices I could have found if I searched on land (kind of before the internet had as much selection as now).  I viewed them as a bit pricy souvenirs that I liked and not an investment.  I think I spent maybe $850-$900 total on 3 pieces.  I loved them then, and I love them now.  I have seen them online for what I paid, and even a bit more.  I'd agree with the overall caveat emptor on the topic of art auctions on cruises in general, and Park West in particular.  That said, if you see a piece you really like and it isn't too pricy, it is sometimes fun to just buy it for the story and as a souvenir.

[AlanF65]

The art publisher makes a market for original and reproduction art regardless of Artist.

 

When an Artist signs with a publisher they release limited quantities of reproduction art of certain pieces, the best time to buy is prior to publication. This is liking buying stock long before the IPO. An art publisher also will design/publish the art for hotels, motels, and I guess ships at sea under one or more contracts with artists.

 

Park West is not distributing the art they publish to other galleries to sell so its not really a market priced system. 

[UFMOM]

I prefer to buy from local galleries while on cruises. I purchased an H. R. Bresil 30 years ago from a gallery in Port au Prince back when it was a port of call for cruises. Unfortunately, the artist died relatively young and my painting is now worth a great deal more than I originally paid for it. I enjoy researching galleries and art to buy at the different ports rather than buying anything from the ship’s art gallery. Have heard too many sketchy stories about them over the years. This article just confirms my opinion.

 

 

 

 

Mary Ann

[JamesEM]

I sailed on the Harmony recently and Park West has some world class sales people, can't comment on the art. 

[mugtech]

Free champagne, free works of art, free raffle tickets, good talks on Tom Kincaid and other artists.  These are the only reasons to attend said events.  They were willing to give me a credit card with $16,000 limit without looking at any ID besides my Seapass. Spending money with Park West is worse than bingo as far as return on investment.

[lovescats5]

The art gallery is no different than the other shops.  Why would you pay more for a Tag watch on board, why not buy one back home.  I understand the "got it on our vacation" thing but not enough to pay more for any of their stuff that can be purchased on land cheaper.

[alfaeric]

34 minutes ago, lovescats5 said:

The art gallery is no different than the other shops.  Why would you pay more for a Tag watch on board, why not buy one back home.  I understand the "got it on our vacation" thing but not enough to pay more for any of their stuff that can be purchased on land cheaper.

And sometimes you can get a good deal relative to art or the watch.  The Tag I got was cheaper on the ship than it was at our local store- not even including taxes.

 

We've seen Max art in galleries, and it seems that the prices are pretty close, without tax.  

 

Reading the article, it's sad that people are taking advantage of Peter Max, but it also appears that Park West is looking into the authenticity of what they are getting.  Which isn't a bad thing.

[BillOh]

22 hours ago, PopeyeDaSailor said:

I always thought it a weird mixture to suddenly buy expensive art while cruising.  If you're going to drop a lot of money on art I would think an independent gallery would be the place to do that, not _______ of the Seas.

I agree, and I've never had any desire to do so.  In my 13 years of cruising with Royal, this was one thing I always thought, but then again on any ship there are things I like and don't like.   But it seemed like for a couple of years (maybe less) Park West went away.  This last cruise on Symphony, they are in the hall way leading out of the casino on deck 4 I think.  I do like to casually look as I walk by and I can put up with an occasional approach of a Park West Employee, but last month I finally had to tell the guy, "What part of No do you not understand."

[PopeyeDaSailor]

1 hour ago, BillOh said:

I agree, and I've never had any desire to do so.  In my 13 years of cruising with Royal, this was one thing I always thought, but then again on any ship there are things I like and don't like.   But it seemed like for a couple of years (maybe less) Park West went away.  This last cruise on Symphony, they are in the hall way leading out of the casino on deck 4 I think.  I do like to casually look as I walk by and I can put up with an occasional approach of a Park West Employee, but last month I finally had to tell the guy, "What part of No do you not understand."

 

LOL, I walked through at midnight (rest of family was sleeping) and no one was there to bother me.  I saw a bunch of Thomas Kinkade that I use as my computer background.  I was like, why would I pay someone for that?

[Baron Barracuda]

6 hours ago, mugtech said:

Free champagne, free works of art, free raffle tickets, good talks on Tom Kincaid and other artists.  These are the only reasons to attend said events.  They were willing to give me a credit card with $16,000 limit without looking at any ID besides my Seapass. Spending money with Park West is worse than bingo as far as return on investment.

 

Raffle is not so free.

 

DD won raffle for a piece of "free" art during recent sailing.  Sat through entire auction and then went up to claim it.  Was told there was a $100+ fee to frame and ship it.  She told them to forget the frame, just give her the picture.  They refused, saying the picture aboard ship was for display purposes only.  Her copy was in a warehouse ashore.  They would be happy to ship it to her provided she paid a $50 fee.  DD said forget it, drank her free champagne and walked away.

[bearchele2]

You need to take it as your buying something you enjoy not something that will increase in value. I've bought several pieces of artwork that I enjoy. I don't expect them to increase in value. I buy what I like and what will look nice in my house.

[mugtech]

2 hours ago, Baron Barracuda said:

 

Raffle is not so free.

 

DD won raffle for a piece of "free" art during recent sailing.  Sat through entire auction and then went up to claim it.  Was told there was a $100+ fee to frame and ship it.  She told them to forget the frame, just give her the picture.  They refused, saying the picture aboard ship was for display purposes only.  Her copy was in a warehouse ashore.  They would be happy to ship it to her provided she paid a $50 fee.  DD said forget it, drank her free champagne and walked away.

They explain before each auction that very few of the works are take with. The regular can be shipped six to a tube for $35 in continental USA.  The free artwork is the small pics they give everyone in an envelope just for showing up.  The raffle on the Adventure was mostly for books on art, you got to take it with you.

[AlanF65]

The other thing I don't like about Park West is when they frame something you can't choose the frame style and matting like a normal gallery to tie in to you own decor.

[WeLuvVacation]

This counter article appeared in the Pittsburgh Gazette. https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/05/28/Peter-Max-artwork-dementia-NYT-investigation-fraud-lawsuit/stories/201905280102 Another side to the story.

[LB_NJ]

I recently bought a $100 watch, Tequila, and some "artwork" at a ship auction. All on Grandeur of the Seas.

 

I paid a few dollkars higher for the watch then I could have bought it at Amazon.  OK with that.

 

Tequila was comparably priced.

 

Haven't received the "artwork" yet, if it comes in one piece and looks the same as what I bid on, I'm OK.  Probably paid 20% - 40% higher than what I could have gotten them for if I had searched the internet, but it was fun and I got free champagne.  I consider what I ordered artwork posters.  If I want real artwork I'll go to a gallery in NYC, or maybe bid at a real auction house.

[mek]

I would never buy any art from the ship unless it was simply something I liked and I would never purchase art as an investment.  I collect watercolors from my travels primarily from street artists.  Some of my most treasured pieces are simple post card reproductions that I bought at places I've visited.  I have all of them professionally framed and they look fantastic on my walls.

[jalves]

I wonder how long Royal (and other lines) will continue to let Park West on board.  

[Biker19]

12 hours ago, jalves said:

I wonder how long Royal (and other lines) will continue to let Park West on board.  

Until it stops making them money.

Edited March 22, 2020 by Biker19