A Flea Market Art Story
The Artwork Story
PRE-INTERNET and A TIME BEFORE CELL PHONES...
My mother’s story begins in November 1991 – is about artwork by the following artists van Gogh, Picasso, Manet, Peterson, Calder, Bombois, Van Dongen and a Cassel print. This artwork is shown here on the website (there was more artwork but unfortunately I don’t have photos of them). Trading Post Flea Market, Okeechobee, FL
In November 1991 my mother working her Flea Market booth in Okeechobee, Florida began to be visited by a man. He visited with her over several months up until approximately February/March 1992. These visits only occurred on the weekends at her booth. There were The Notes written on these visits with Mr. Koch’s handwriting.
This was in 1991/1992 before the internet and access to the information we have today. During these visits he was selling her artwork and is trying to teach her about the art world. He told her grand stories about his life, talked extensively about his mother. The love of art he shared with his mother. He also talked about lawsuits and deep dislike for a twin brother. He sold her this artwork for $2 to $5 a piece, always making sure there was a transaction.
Except for the Jim Cassel print it was given to her and is still in the folder/envelope he gave it to her in. My mother said his hands shook when giving it to her. She has always told me that based just on his behavior of the print it was the most valuable piece of all the pieces.
My mother recognizes the man shown in the photos to be the same man that visited with her. These are photos of Frederick R. Koch.
Below is my mother's artwork that I was able to photograph.
Below left is the Cassel print
- March 18, 1990 – Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum.
- Trying to prove – Heist done by Frederick R. Koch and John Olsen.
- December 21, 1990 – MARY Robinson Koch passes away.
- She is the mother of Frederick R. Koch. My mother’s name is also Mary.
- September 21, 1991 – Robert Donati is murdered by the mafia, because of art heist.
- October 7, 1991 – James Bourlet & Sons London warehouse art storage fire.
- Trying to prove Fire done by Frederick R. Koch and/or John Olsen.
- November 1991 – Stranger arrives in my mother’s (MARY) life and begins to sell her artwork. We still have some of the artwork and hand written notes between them.
- Trying to prove – this was Frederick R. Koch.
- February 1992 – My mother visits Sotheby’s they authenticate the Snowy Egret, Jane Peterson painting.
- March 1992 – Stranger departs in hospital scene with a newspaper obituary, but turns out he is alive.
- April 1992 – Sotheby’s signs contract with my mother on the Jane Peterson painting.
- 1994 Someone writes a letter to the museum trying to return the stolen artwork and claiming they have knowledge of international art transactions. My Miami research connects to a company called International Art Trading. They request to communicate through the newspaper.
- Trying to prove – Frederick R. Koch wrote this letter.
Suzanne has been actively making claims of solving the heist since June 21, 2012 and the fire January 24, 2011. To Robert Wittman and Julian Radcliffe. Discovered Mr. Koch was Frederick R. Koch August of 2010. So nearly 14 years…
