Hi guys,

I was just wondering if anyone does know the number of Keith Haring special swatch did Keith Haring actually sign ?

Is there any way to find out whether the signature on the Keith Haring specials are authentic or forged ? How many pieces were actually signed and on what occasion did Keith sign them ?

This is quite an issue because i have been seeing some signed Keith Haring specials on sale at ebay and is wondering if these signatures are real and what impact it has on the pricing on the 4 Keith Haring specials ?

Please comment if you have any views or tips.
Thanks!

akitaishi

No views about this one ?


akitaishi

Hi akitaishi,

I'm not sure if all signatures are real. The signature of Keith Haring is very easy to copy I think.

cheers
always-surprising.com

Exactly !!

So there lies the grey area of whether the signatures are actually pen down by Keith. Almost no way to tell unless there was like some events where the buyers could have met face to face with the artist and may have a chance to get him to sign.

Otherwise, there is no "litmus test" as to whether the signatures are genuine.

As for that, We would have got to go back to the swatch experts in squiggly. Were there any special event that went with the release of the Keith Haring 4 specials ? Can you guys give any tips and comments ?


So at this point, most seems to point to the conclusion that the signature does not play a part in pushing the price of the specials ? Thus a numbered signed piece could have the same valuation as a numbered unsigned piece and the more rare E.A pieces would be more expensive than the signed numbered piece and in that progression ?


akitaishi

I never heared of a Event where K.H. signed the watches. Even if there had been an Event, it had been in the USA I guess, but most signed ones I see in asia or europe (never one in the USA).

My personal view is, that I would prefer an unsigned one, becuase if the signature is a fake, the strap value is less that an unsigned one.

cheers
always-surprising.com

Yup.
I understand what you mean perfectly. The clear transparent strap of the Serpent (and any other watch that takes the transparent strap) is especially susceptible to this. The ink will somehow blur out and smudge all around the clear transparent strap after a while as if the ink has diffuse within the strap.

Nice discussion. Thanks

akitaishi

Hello all, My name is John Battiloro and I was Vice President of Swatch advertising and promotion. I hired Keith Haring to do events for us and YES he did sign watches frequently but in limited numbers. He signed for us at Christmas at Saks Fifth Ave. and at a Swatch party in his honor. He must have signed at least 200+ watches. He also signed 20 for me personally. Which I still have as a complete set.

Keith was a kind and very generous man who was never full of himself, even after his fame was obvious. I don't think we will see another artist as creative like him for a while. He was a ONE OF KIND artists..

If you have questions post them here.

john

The Keith Haring Foundation would be happy to authenticate his signature for you at no charge.

http://www.haring.com/kh_foundation/authentication

Yes i think every one abide this type signature system. thanks