A man who bought “unique” photographs of Beatle George Harrison was left shocked when the pictures that arrived were photocopies.
Alan Lowman bought the photographs as part of an auction lot including programmes signed by Formula One racing drivers including James Hunt and Jody Schekter.
However, on opening the package containing the pictures of Harrison, the autograph collector found that the prints were not originals but photocopies of the photographs.
Mr Lowman, who bought the prints from Brighton and Hove Auction House, slammed the description used.
He said: “The way the description was worded made it sound like they were originals. I have been an autograph collector for 18 years and I have never seen something like this.
“They have just used the seller’s description but how can they do that?
“If I had a ‘diamond ring’ that was actually glass you would hope they would check it first to make sure.
“It would have been nice to have something unique of George but these photos aren’t actually unique."
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Mr Lowman, from Hertfordshire, says the lot cost him around £100 including delivery and other expenses but has now contacted the auction house to rescind the sale.
The auction house declined to refund the money as their terms and conditions make clear they do not accept responsibility for descriptions of lots which are provided by the vendor.
The terms and conditions read: "Prospective buyers are strongly advised to examine personally any goods in which they are interested before the auction takes place."
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Auctions added: "We act on behalf of the vendor and we get the best description we can.
"The onus is on the bidder to check that the lot is the thing they think they are bidding on.
"We are happy to provide condition reports over the phone and give as much information as the prospective buyer requests.
"It's down to the buyer to do the due diligence."
An advert listed for the lot describes the photos as “George Harrison private unique unpublished photos signing autographs”. While the word “original” is not used, Mr Lowman felt that the listing implies this is the case.
The auction house added that if the photos had been "original" then the estimated price would have been as much as £500.
The lot also includes signed flyers from 1974 with the autographs of drivers Jody Schekter, Clay Regazzoni and former Formula One World Champion James Hunt.
The flyers and photographs appear to have been collated across two iterations of the British Grand Prix: one at Brands Hatch circuit and one at Silverstone.
It is unclear from which event the photographs of George Harrison originate.
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