Auspex Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Three examples of what seem to be artfully enhanced geologically formed "specimens": A carved "bird skull": A carved "bat""\: A scratched-and-painted "snake": It is becoming ever more important to become a connoisseur of the techniques of forgery! In these examples, it looks like the artist drew inspiration from natural irregularities, stains, and cracks in the rocks to create these "fossils". The seller purports to be in Mexico, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the objects were fabricated there. 4 "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Wow. People are getting craftier and craftier. Those are actually really nicely made. It's a shame that they're presented as real. Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantguy Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 yep a 2nd wow Chas...any chance of getting a close up of the 2nd photo details? Regards, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiggieCie Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 If these people just advertised their art as, "art works on stone" they would probably do better than trying to fool people and getting a bad reputation. The pieces are not bad, just the lies are not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 yep a 2nd wow Chas...any chance of getting a close up of the 2nd photo details? The posted images are screen shots from the auction listing; I cannot do better. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 They would have fooled me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilized6s Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Wow! The first two look pretty legit. Dishonestly clever. ~Charlie~ "There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why.....i dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" ~RFK ->Get your Mosasaur print ->How to spot a fake Trilobite ->How to identify a CONCRETION from a DINOSAUR EGG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFOOLEY Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Best to find your own fossils. Thanks for these examples...crafty indeed. "I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?" ~Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) New Mexico Museum of Natural History Bulletins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 We being humans and we learn by making mistakes so folks buying fakes will always happen. Ive been around the block once or twice and those first two pics are laughable. The snake looks a bit more real. I used to take my loup everywhere I went so I could examine fossils up close if need be. My eyesight started to go south when I was about 40 years of age and with the loup I could see things that were dead givaways for being fake. My 2 cents RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 The thing about a lot of experience though, is that you exactly know what you are looking for. Rookies with an interest may have a vague idea what to look for. But without the experience, they don't have a frame of reference to compare fakes with. Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) Tricky. Edited November 10, 2015 by Fossildude19 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 We being humans and we learn by making mistakes so folks buying fakes will always happen. Ive been around the block once or twice and those first two pics are laughable. The snake looks a bit more real. I used to take my loup everywhere I went so I could examine fossils up close if need be. My eyesight started to go south when I was about 40 years of age and with the loup I could see things that were dead givaways for being fake. My 2 centsRB Interesting observations, RB. For i myself have been around several blocks as well, and i thought the snake was the most laughable. But as pfooley said... One more reason to stick to self collecting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 If only we could all be so idealistic and never give in to FAS (Fossil Acquisitiveness Syndrome) - There will always be a desire among certain people (ahem) to collect things from elsewhere and if you can't travel there yourself you are left with the option to buy it or not have it at all. As I said, those all might have fooled me, but I have not been around the block regarding this type of fossil like some of you have, and that's probably because I am not into collecting verts. If I had more of an interest, I would hope that the "It Looks Too Good To Be True" feeling would cross my mind, and even without any more experience than I have, it probably would have anyway (I hope), but who knows. There are lots of wonderful and amazing fossils being found and sold. Caveat Emptor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilshale Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 There is a fourth offer from this guy:Bidding is now over 450US$ each for the "bat" and for this "amphibian"; 150 US $ is for the bird skull. The "snake" does not attract so many bidders.It's still time to bid - hurry up (if you want to loose some money) Thomas 1 Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes (Confucius, 551 BC - 479 BC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilshale Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 (edited) This guy has stopped the auction and has withdrawn all "fossils" Edited November 12, 2015 by oilshale Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes (Confucius, 551 BC - 479 BC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 This guy has stopped the auction and has withdrawn all "fossils" Huh...I wonder what the story behind that move is? "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Maybe the auctioneer or some potential buyers saw this thread? Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 Maybe the auctioneer or some potential buyers saw this thread? It would be nice to think that we can make an impact on 'cleaning-up' the dark side of the fossil trade. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilshale Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 (edited) Huh...I wonder what the story behind that move is? Disapointed about the low bidding amount? May be 450US $ was not what he expected? I have never seen an auction being stopped by an auctioneer even if it was absolutely clear the item offered was a fake. They won't interfere. Edited November 12, 2015 by oilshale 1 Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes (Confucius, 551 BC - 479 BC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFOOLEY Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Maybe they did not know they were fakes until now and pulled the items. "I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?" ~Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) New Mexico Museum of Natural History Bulletins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilshale Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Maybe they did not know they were fakes until now and pulled the items. Hopefully that is what happened. For the time being, let us asume the best. A couple of members might have asked questions and given skeptical comments. If the seller is unaware of his item being a fake and actually is an honest guy - just being mislead - this will / can help. Thomas Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes (Confucius, 551 BC - 479 BC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilshale Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 New fossils on sale - now a Pterosaure head, a complete bird, the snake and a lizard. Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes (Confucius, 551 BC - 479 BC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I thought Mexico kept pretty strict control over fossil exports. Assuming these were real I'm sure he'd be breaking the law big time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgehiker Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) Maybe they did not know they were fakes until now and pulled the items.True. Thus why I have never bought a fossil or traded for one that was not collected by the trader. It's not that everyone is dishonest as much as there are so many fakes in circulation that most who have them are unaware...even recommended dealers. I've been fooled by fake Tyrannossaurid fossil teeth ....even after having collected a few hundred. I have absolutely no idea how anyone could have faith that a purchased tooth was legitimate. ' I know the seller...' As PT Barnum said... Edited November 16, 2015 by Ridgehiker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carcharodontosaurus Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 True. Thus why I have never bought a fossil or traded for one that was not collected by the trader. It's not that everyone is dishonest as much as there are so many fakes in circulation that most who have them are unaware...even recommended dealers. I've been fooled by fake Tyrannossaurid fossil teeth ....even after having collected a few hundred. I have absolutely no idea how anyone could have faith that a purchased tooth was legitimate. ' I know the seller...' As PT Barnum said... Would these fake tyrannosaurid teeth pass a hot needle test? Can we see pictures of these fakes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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