Book Review — A Forger’s Tale: Confessions of the Bolton Forger
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- 02/20/2019 06:06 PM (update 04/10/2023 11:09 PM)

A Forger’s Tale by Shaun Greenhalgh
Shaun Greenhalgh is the Bolton forger and he wrote this book while in prison for, you guessed it, forgery. He was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in 2006 after years of hoodwinking art dealers and museums with all manner of his recreations. He worked out of a shed in his parent’s back yard producing painting, sketches, bronzes, sculptures, a bust of Thomas Jefferson which sold to another U.S. president and much more. His works ranged from the Bronze Age to modern works and included Leonardo drawings and works by Thomas Moran who he particularly liked.
He recounts his early interest in art, how he got into the business, and why he didn’t have the talent to make his own mark in the art world. He claims that initially he really wasn’t out to fool anyone but he just found it so easy. The art experts wanted to believe that what he brought to them was authentic. After all, there was money to be made by everyone though Greenhalghasserts that after a short time he wasn’t in it for the money any more. He details the mechanics of how his works were made and he tells the mistakes and identifiers he included in his art. Particularly fascinating is when he discovers one of his forgeries currently on display and no one is the wiser. Imagine art experts discussing the provenance of a piece that is supposedly hundreds of years old and you know that you made it in your back yard 10 years ago!
The introduction is written by an art expert who was bamboozled and yet gives Greenhalgh the nod.
Carol Lloyd is the Churchill County Librarian and her work is authentic.
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Comment author: Patti Cole
Comment text: Marie will be forever treasured in memories.
The memories remain of a soft-spoken, seemingly unassuming but determined individual who absolutely knew what path she wanted to take in life, and followed it.
Her instinctive reactions, which highlighted her steadfast level of love and caring for her family, friends and all living things found in nature, hold lessons for us all.
An unexpected splash of her self-deprecating humor, coupled with uncanny timing, will always bring a smile.
For me, Marie lives on in the sighting of a Black-crowned night heron in the tules, the bloom of a beautiful spring flower and, most poetically, in the struggle of wildlife photographers handling their very large camera lenses.
Comment publication date: 8/15/26, 9:31 AM
Comment source: Obituary-Marie Dong Ko
Comment author: John Chaney
Comment text: I just figured out that Betty was my 1st cousin. Her dad Ted was my dad's brother. I never knew Ted or Betty, but I wish I did. I am 73 and live in IL. I am building my family tree and see where Betty has fit in. Blessings to you Curt and family.
Comment publication date: 8/14/26, 11:04 AM
Comment source: Obituary - Betty Lou (Chaney) Anderson
Comment author: Karen Webb
Comment text: I am so sorry to hear this. I loved coming to the carwash to see John! He always made my day. Prayers for all of his family during this difficult time.
Comment publication date: 8/11/26, 8:56 PM
Comment source: In Memory of John Evans
Comment author: Laura Ivey
Comment text: I am so very sorry for your loss of John. He always made my day when I went to the car wash. I will miss his joyous personality and that smile.
Comment publication date: 8/10/26, 9:52 AM
Comment source: In Memory of John Evans

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