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opinion" and it was reported in "The New York Times" that Capt. Edward Fagen of the New York City police laboratory reported "...the fact that the signature was painted rather than 'handwritten' prevented the department from coming to a conclusion about its authenticity." But, believing the jury had not made use of experts available, Mr. Greyer conscientiously sought out the Treasury Department's most trusted men. These experts came up with a report that the writing on the Goetz picture was similar to that on other Van Gogh paintings and was not forged. Moreover, Japanese and Chinese experts maintained the errors in Oriental characters were identical with errors in other Oriental characters made by Van Gogh. 

Mr. Goetz now has in his possession a letter signed by John S. Graham, then Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, which says, "The investigation considered every facet of this case and established that, in so far as concerns the Bureau of Customs, the painting was authentic." Uncle Sam's authentication not only silences any one who might still entertain doubts, unless he wishes to face the possibility of a law-suit, but it also restores the value of the painting to atleast the $50,000 Mr. Goetz paid for it--and probably has increased it to about twice that sum--, sustains the collector's pride and clears the dealer's reputation. 

There are many other instances where Uncle Sam's opinions on art and the connoisseurs are at variance. To collectors, all casts of a sculptor's work made under his supervision from an original model are of equal value. But Uncle Sam says only the original and the first two count as sculpture. The third and fourth casts are mere "manufactures of metal." 

If you want to hang a Gobelins tapestry in your home you can bring it in duty-free; but if you feel a tapestry by Miro, designed exclusively for use as a wall-hanging, would be more appropriate to a modern room, you will have to pay duty on it. Print rooms of museums may prise lithographs by Braque and