From: MIKE VALLILLO
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 1:25 PM
To: LMaki@parkwestgallery.com
Subject:

Hi Laura,

Thank you. I received the updated appraisals we spoke about. I am still missing three of them: 1) Dali – St. George and the Dragon, Ref# 109984.0024; 2) Rembrandt – Christ and the Woman of Samaria, Ref# 131337.0350; 3) Rembrandt – Raising of Lazarus, Lg. plate Reg#131348.0870.

Also, I am still waiting on the provenance that you promised me, it's been over two months, I don't understand what the hold-up is, and you should have this in your files from when you purchased these items.

Since we last spoke, I have done extensive research on the internet and have asked Fine Art Registry® for their help. After reviewing articles from the New York Times, Inside Edition's and the Orlando Local 6 program and other inquiries that I have made about the prints that you have sold me, I have strong evidence that some of them are fakes and that all of them are worth far less than I am being told by your auctioneers and your appraisals.

To start with, the Rembrandt prints are grossly overpriced. The following is just an example of what I have recently come up with:

131337 Rembrandt Christ and the Woman of Samaria
PW appraisal $4650
PW Retail $3110
Cost to PW $350-610

131339 Rembrandt The Artist Mother w/ hand on chest
PW appraisal $3900
PW Retail $1940
Cost to PW $210-365

131336 Rembrandt Bust of Man wearing a High Cap
PW appraisal $4100
PW Retail $2110
Cost to PW $240-415

131346 Rembrandt The Card Player
PW appraisal $3900
PW Retail $1900
Cost to PW $210-265

131347 Rembrandt Landscape w/Cow drinking water
PW appraisal $4150
PW Retail $2590
Cost to PW $270-240

131349 Rembrandt Self Portrait drawing at a window
PW appraisal $6200
PW Retail $3705
Cost to PW $405-710

131338 Rembrandt The Golf Player
PW appraisal $4100
PW Retail $2010
Cost to PW $225-390

These are the ones I have specific records for. As you can see, a pretty clear pattern of extensive mark-up for these items. The appraisals you sent me are even higher. I have seen a number of independent appraisals, none of which put them over a few hundred dollars each.

As for the Dalis, we are not only talking overpricing, but also fakes. After researching The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali by Albert Field, who founded the Dali Archives, and speaking to a number of Dali collectors and art galleries, we all come to the same conclusion: the ones that you have sold me from the French Edition by Estrade/Les Heures Claires publishing house are only worth about $150-200 per print for a genuine one. But these are listed in Mr. Field's book as having forged signatures and as "unacceptable prints". "A print without a printed signature within the image is from the book editions. Since Dali did not sign any of these prints in black pencil, a pencil signature on one must be a forgery." If you look at what you sold me, you will see that they fit the description exactly.

If you examine the so-called "certificate of authenticity" written by either Albert Scaglione or Morris Shapiro (who not only have no authority to sign any certificate of authenticity for a Dali print, they are also the SELLERS of the piece and have a vested interest in it, same goes for his appraisal) you will note a total absence of provenance for these pieces which are purportedly signed by Dali, but this is a forged signature. The certificate itself only says "signed in pencil" – it does not say who by. You are selling what may or may not be an original print (worth a couple of hundred bucks if it’s a genuine) with a FORGED Dali signature on it.

St. George and the Dragon is from an original in the Albaretto collection and most likely a fake. I am in the process of checking this out with Frank Hunter of the Salvador Dali Archives Ltd. in NYC, but I already know that this is not in the Albert Field catalog and therefore unless you have real provenance to show me, I will consider this a fake from an original which itself is a fake. This image was made known by the Albarettos to Albert Field and Frank Hunter at the Dali Archives and it has not been included in the catalog. I would need to see authentication of the original and a contract by Dali to Les Heures Claires to publish it, I have not been shown any of this.

At this point, I am now sure that I am a victim of fraudulent misrepresentation and deceptive trade practices and demand an immediate refund. To date I have purchased seventeen (17) worthless prints from you for a total of $100,325. this is your last chance to put this right very quickly or you will leave me no alternative to take all measures needed to see that I get my monies back, from reporting you to the cruise line management, Federal and State agencies as well as the press, on the Fine Art Registry website and on TV. I am also considering contacting the various class action suits that a currently in place with a view on joining them (I think they would love to have a participant who has been had for over $100,000.)

I hope to hear from you ASAP, as would like to close this chapter of my life by the end of the month.

Respectfully,

Michael VALLILLO

From: Laura Maki [mailto:LMaki@parkwestgallery.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 1:25 PM
To: MIKE VALLILLO
Subject: RE:

Dear Mr. Vallillo,
Per your request, here is a recap of our conversation. I advised that Park West's position has not changed and that per your signed invoices, "All sales are final."
In regards to the Dali provenance, this will be sent to you shortly. I apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Thank you and have a good day!
Kind regards,
Laura Maki
Park West Gallery
Client Services Supervisor
Phone # 1-877-440-0630 Ext. 1248
E-mail: LMaki@parkwestgallery.com

From: MIKE VALLILLO
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 11:05 AM
To: Laura Maki
Subject: RE:

Dear Laura,

As I stated in my last correspondence to you, I am not going away without a fight, your company has ripped me off for over $100,000, and I am letting everyone I know about it. To date I have contacted RCI, The Crown & Anchor Society, both of which I have placed formal complaints with. The Fine Art Registry is willing to publish my story on their web site; I have placed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (3084-0047). This is just the beginning, by the end of the week if you do not agree to refund my money, I will file complaints with The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office as well as Michigan’s AG office. I have also begun to accumulate the names and numbers of local and national media groups that will be interested in this story.

Respectfully,

Michael Vallillo

From: Laura Maki [mailto:LMaki@parkwestgallery.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 3:19 PM
To: MIKE VALLILLO
Subject: FW:

Dear Mr. Vallillo,

I apologize but Park West's position has not changed. Per your signed invoices, "All sales are final."

Thank you and have a good day!

Kind regards,

Laura Maki
Park West Gallery
Client Services Supervisor
Phone # 1-877-440-0630 Ext. 1248
E-mail: LMaki@parkwestgallery.com