The Spring 1984 newsletter for Crown Point Press [pdf] was notable not just because it was the first in two years. Or because they reflected on their 20th years of enabling contemporary artists to engage with intaglio. Or because they announced their principled expansion into woodblock prints through a collab with master artisans in Japan. Or because they launched their artist-designed silk lingerie collection, which, well. Or because they got a computer, and a new sales director. Actually, let’s stop there and have CPP director Kathan Brown expand on that:
One thing (totally unexpected) the computer has done for us is uncover fraudulent activity perpetrated by our former Sales Representative, Thomas Way. We have a warrant out for his arrest in connection with the theft of many prints. It appears now that he even took home some rejected prints during projects before the printers had a chance to destroy them. These were Diebenkorn’s and the RD signature was easy to forge-one print that we have recovered was even hand-colored (not by Diebenkorn)! Way apparently had a side business going the whole time he worked for us. If you bought anything from him personally, or have any other information, please call.
So wow, while it seems slightly wild to put the guy on blast like that, I guess that’s how print market justice worked in the 80s? Brown’s letter to the editors of Print Collector’s Newsletter ran in the May-June 1984 issue, and contained more details of the caper and the hot, forged prints:
To the Editors:
Crown Point Press has been the victim of a rather large theft of etchings, principally artists’ proofs which belonged to me personally. We would very much appreciate it if you would let your readers know about this in case any of them have information that might help us.In connection with this theft a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Thomas Way, our former sales representative. Mr. Way is believed to have personally sold some of the stolen material during his tenure at the press (1978-82), and he still may attempt to make sales. Anyone with information is asked to phone Sgt. Romero of the Oakland Police Department (415!)etc-etc. or—if they prefer—telphone me or my staff at Crown Point (415) etc-etc. or (212)etc-etc.
We are looking, particularly, for AP impressions of Richard Diebenkorn’s Large Light Blue and Large Bright Blue (no APs of these particular images have ever been legitimately sold); also Diebenkorn’s TPC of Small Thin and 30/35 of Six Softground Etchings. Several John Cage prints were also stolen: #2 and #3 of On the Surface, two sets of Seven Day Diary—the OK to Print and 11/25—and three impressions of 17 Drawings by Thoreau—AP9, AP10, and 10/25. There are other missing prints, including working proofs, and we would appreciate very much knowing of any dealings anyone may have had with Thomas Way personally. Way apparently told people he was taking part of his salary in prints; this was believable [!? -ed.] but untrue.
We have already located some of the missing prints, and apparently none of the purchasers were given documentation; it would have been difficult for Way to obtain documentations because they are signed personally by me and are only given after payment has been received for a print. The incident points up the importance of the buyer’s demanding proper documentation whenever a print is purchased.
Thank you for your help in circulating this warning and appeal to your readers.
Best regards,
Kathan Brown, Crown Point Press
No clue how this all played out, but Way was reported as joining the LA Louver Gallery as a director sometime in 1981, which would have been after the gallery showed Diebenkorn’s Eight Color Etchings (1980). At least one of the the prints on their webpage to this day is an AP. Meanwhile, the Large Blue Diebenkorns Crown Point donated to the FAMSF in 1991 were both APs. [It looks like there were 10 APs, and FAMSF got AP7. So others might be out there!]