Collecting art, coins, autographs is fun and rewarding But for art buyers who are sometimes putting substantial amounts of money that are serious about the  "value" of what is is they are buying should know and need to know what they are really purchasing.  Art work and paintings value has much to do with the eye of the beholder. What do you feel it is worth?

However, in the world of art there has been and always will be the evidence or lack of for the forgerie isssue. The Highwaymen is of special concern and a special case. Most art/ Folk Art such as Purvis Young or Howard Finster painted all their own paintings therfore it is relatively easy to spot a  "fake forgerie" because of the methods and tools used to paint with and on. Also there was only one artist to compare the works. Even an untrained eye can learn easy steps to discern what you must look for to avoid paying high dollar command for original collectable art or a fake.

The Highwaymen art has increased in value throughout the years because of the amount of press it gets for it's unique and interesting story. But remember this is a group of  26 artist reportedly to this day, yet still other artist have come foward to be included in the group as they continue to find out about their unclaimed fame. 

What gets even more comlicated is the fact that the artist painted over 150,000 paintings. What makes this more complicated is the fact that the salesman of the Highwaymen Albert Black has forged many of the paintings. Not with bad intention mind you. Simple logistical reasons for pleasing a customer who may have bought a paticular artist painting and wanted to buy another. Al would ask the artist not to sign their name therefore allowing him to be able to put whatever artist name he chose, including his own signature. All of this has not really caused a problem however because of the different styles each artist has. After looking at several originals it is easy to establish what an original Alfred Hair is " fast painting whispy' on old up-son board, or a meticulous detalied Florida Landscape by Harold Newton one who is considered the best painter by all standards. What has happened in the last 5 years however is a flood gate has been open to preditors on unsuspecting customers at auctions and even galleries. A Person can now easily find a Florida Landscape painting that looks like a similar type of Highwaymen but is not. The artist  also simply printed their names with a nail scratched into the massonite board or upson board. The signatures are primitive easy to forge and some are even painted on canvass. Either way it is an easy method to now sell a Highwaymen sign it as an Alfred Hair or Harold Newton which sell in the thousands of dollars. So if the painting is not real, but you like it, does it matter that you have been ripped off? Depends on you and how much you want it. But calculations are that 60% of the artists works are being re-duplicated by other artist who paint a painting in an afternoons time, sell it to the person who is selling on E -Bay and now there is profit for fraud, scammers like there always has been an invitation to this human nature when it opens the door for opportunity. And that is the key word. Best advice is to stick with the artist that continue to paint, Rl. lewis, Sam Newton, Roy McKlendon, James Gibson and many others who are alive and continuing to paint. Try a local search make a drive meet the artist get a photograph it will be worth the trip and the experience. Avoid the obsure artist there is no one who can establish if they are real or not. A Rodney Demps painting is a great painting, however it would be easy for anyone to put his name on any painting and claim it was an original Demps. They may only get 300.00 to 500.00 but not a bad profit when you buy a fake for 15.00 at the local thrift store. Alfred Hairs and Newtons command much more money and are the preditors choice as of now but soon be watching for others. Also know that just because you purchase in a well known antique shop or gallerie does not mean it is any more authentic either. Most of these people have art and antique experience but more or less, navigate according to what sounds best and improvise when questioned about forgeries. It is best to stay clear of those who are not knowledgable.

Books have been written, movies have been made, titles have been given to so called experts but nobody can claim that because there are too many artist, too many fakes now going around the circuit. The Highwaymen exhibits and shows are promoted only for the elite few who still participte  AND co-opperate with those that try to control a market, one that benefits only themselves and those paticular artist in a very 'lucrative money making market.  Many other artist have been left outside of the group not being able to share in the rewards of bussiness opportunity and that is a shame. What is needed is a reshaping and organisation of qualified people who fully understand the art, their value, and can identify fakes and forgeries. The problem here is that the experts that are currently running most of the operation can tell you whatever they want you to hear, what ever is making them money at the time and that is what the public will believe. Best advice, buy at your own risk. Do not pay anymore than the 175.00 price as you would a common painting. The Highwaymen art has taken on a greed factor that provides incentive for full time employment for the rip off scams! Have your painting evaluated by a Highwaymen Currator. You may find that information on a search engine.