Art Knowledge News
Pennsylvania Police: Artist's Son Steals $20 Million of Frank Frazetta Paintings |
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| Written by Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press Writer |
| Saturday, 12 December 2009 01:17 |
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"Some of these paintings are worth a million a piece," said Monroe County District Attorney David Christine.  His son's motive may stem from
a family feud over the master illustrator's assets, according to a law
enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity because it is still early
in the investigation. Frazetta was arraigned and sent to the Monroe County jail. Bail was set at $500,000. Officials didn't know whether he had a lawyer yet. Police said that Frazetta and another man used the backhoe to enter the Frazetta Art Museum in the Pocono Mountains region on Wednesday afternoon, tripping a burglar alarm. A trooper who responded said Frazetta claimed he had been instructed by his father "to enter the museum by any means necessary to move all the paintings to a storage facility," according to a police affidavit. The elder Frazetta told police that his son did not have permission to enter the museum or to remove any artwork. Frank Frazetta's attorney, Gerard Geiger, said the stolen paintings were insured for $20 million, according to court documents. Geiger said his client, who spends the winters in Florida, did not wish to comment yet. "I don't know why Frank Jr. allegedly did what he did but it's part of the ongoing investigation with the state police," he told The Associated Press. Police say charges are pending against a second suspect. In the early 1950s Frank Frazetta worked for EC Comics, National Comics (which featured the character "Shining Knight"), fantasy book company Avon and several other fantasy/comic book companies. Comic books included John Wayne Comics, Buck Rogers, Famous Funnies and Ghost Rider and a long list of others, a testament to Frank Frazetta's dedication, his playful energy and his diverse interests. George Lucas later claimed that Frazetta's artwork for Buck Rogers was the inspiration for the Star Wars Saga. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. / By: Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press Writer Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~ |
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