Having owned five Thomas Kinkade Signature Galleries for ten years I can tell you that Ebay is loaded up with fake Kinkade Paintings.  It can be confusing for the novice to discern an authentic painting from an imitation.  Here are some key points to help guide you in your search.

1.  If you see the following:
               Genuine High Quality 100% Hand-painted Oil Painting on canvas! Not a Print, poster or canvas transfer!
               Reproduction, Paint on order by our own artists. 
    You are not looking at a genuine Kinkade.  Kinkades paintings are limited edition lithographs that have their edition and the certificate number hand written on the bottom corner of the piece.  The listing above is someone copying Kinkades work, usually this is done in sweat shops overseas.  Over the years I have seen some ridiculous knock offs that people have brought into my galleries for authentication.  These customers gave thier hard earned money in earnest to these people and what they got in return was only worth the cost of the canvas it was on. 

2.  If they do not have an authentic Certificate of Authenticity from Media Arts Group Inc. (for pieces prior to 2004) or Thomas Kinkade     Company for pieces produced after 2004, it has no value other than your enjoyment of the piece.  Limited Edition Lithographs, otherwise referred to as paintings, must have their matching Certificate of Authenticity to hold their value.   The certificate will list the name of the painting, the certificate number and the quantity of lithographs made in that series.  The certificate number must match the certificate number listed on the bottom corner of your lithograph.

3.  Thom has not sold his originals since 1997, they have all gone into his personal museum.  There are only a handful of originals for sale at any given time & they will range in price from $50,000 to several hundred thousand dollars.  His lithographs are produced in several different editions per piece.  The most collectable edition is the Masters, typically starting at $15,000 & up.  Masters are very rare, typically only 1 Master is produced per piece, however over the years there have been some exceptions to this rule.  The Studio Proof Edition, (S/P) would be the second most collectable, and more readily available.  Then the Renaissance Edition R/E, Publisher Proof P/P, Gallery Proof G/P, Examination Proof E/P, Artist Proof A/P,  and the most affordable edition is the S/N or standard numbered edition. 

4.  If the price looks to good to be true, it probably is!  Question the seller, ask to see copies of the COA (Certificate of Authenticity)

And finally, if your seller is from an overseas address, and they are selling this piece for under $300 beware, it is probably a fake!  I have helped many people over the years to locate the rare sold out piece, and am available to assist you if you are unable to locate the piece you have always wanted.  You can reach me through our store on Ebay. http://stores.ebay.com/brunosbasement

If this guide has been helpful for you I would appreciate your vote.  Thank you!