Featured Faux Fraktur: Too Good To Be True

Interesting article by Lisa Minardi ( scholar on pennsylvania german objects) on fake Fraktur.
Curiously, I don't think i have ever seen a thread on this art form in here but it's something i collect & follow with interest.
Fraktur (broken letters/script) is a highly artistic and elaborate illuminated folk art created by the pennsylvania germans, named after the Fraktur script associated with it. Most Fraktur were created between 1740 and 1860.
https://www.incollect.com/articles/faux-fraktur

Fake

Real

 

Thanks for posting, what an interesting read!

 

Ditto on the thanks. Very interesting and just reinforces my “buy what (I think) I really know”. On the other hand, the great museums of the world have all been duped too on an occasional piece.

 

Indeed, most museums have entire rooms filled with fake objects, part of the deal and no getting around it.

 

Fascinating read James!! Thanks for the article!!!

 

Thanks, James!

 

Antique Fraktur can get pricey in a hurry, hence the "Faux" Fraktur, wherever there's major dollars involved, scammers follow. Some early pieces can fetch 100k or more, it's why i pretty much stick with contemporary fraktur, no issues with fraud.
There are some very talented people that carry on this tradition today.

Some rather famous early Fraktur

George & Lady Washington

Lady Rider/ Christie's

 

And, as if on cue, this arrives this morning in my email box.
" Rare and important: This is the 26th example of Sussel-Washington fraktur, just discovered and identified."
We don't know who this artist was, he/she gets their name from the Arthur Sussel Collection & the fraktur of george & martha washington. He operated in Berks county PA in 1770-1780s and is the most famous & valuable american Fraktur artist.
Is this example real? I dunno but, If it is a genuine Sussel-Washington Fraktur, this estimate of 20k-25k is way low, it'll go for twice that or more.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/79454347_fraktur-woman-with-cat-on-leash

Woman with Cat on Leash