[MSN] Forgery claims hit Hirst auction

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Forgery claims hit Hirst auction
Forgery claims have lead to the withdrawal of three Damien Hirst prints from a Sotheby's sale.

The pictures were in Hirst's trademark spot style which feature randomly coloured circles in a grid.

The genuine limited edition prints are worth up to £10,000 and have drawn attention from forgers who use the latest technology to copy works of art.

Sotheby's confirmed the images had been withdrawn and questions over their authenticity were being investigated.

It is believed the alarm was raised over apparent differences in the signature and concerns over the colour of the spots.

A Sotheby's spokesperson declined to comment further on the issue.

Fine art consultant and valuer Hector Patterson said: "As soon as something is worth money it becomes a target for forgers.

"Auction houses are, on the whole, vigilant about this problem, as their reputation is partly at stake."

Hirst is the highest profile member of the Brit-Art movement, gaining attention for his series of animals preserved in liquid.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/