Karl Sim

Karl Fedor Sim, also known as Carl Fedor Goldie (6 December 1923 – 21 October 2013) was a New Zealand art forger, and the only person convicted of that crime in New Zealand.

Early life Sim was born in Mangaweka in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, and attended Oroua Downs School.

Sim's artistic talents were discovered at Palmerston North Technical School, where from the age of 14 he learned under H. Linley Richardson. Richardson had him learn by copying other artists, including old masters and New Zealand painter Charles F Goldie. Sim later worked as a "well diviner," choosing the best places to dig a well, in Manawatu in the 1950s. He also used his artistic skills working as a signwriter.

Forgery Sim noticed his art from school being auctioned off as originals of other artists, and from then started forging on purpose. By selling the artwork through his shop, it created provenance, bolstering the claim of authenticity. By signing the artist's name on the pictures, he sold them as original, genuine pieces of art. He even managed to sell a van Dyck for around $600. Eventually the amount of art coming out of his shop raised suspicions, and the police raided it and arrested him in 1985. Sim had gotten caught with spelling mistakes in some signatures, specifically with van der Velden forgeries where he capitalized the v in van, as well as signing one painting "Veldon." He was convicted of 40 counts of forgery and sentenced to 200 hours community service and a fine of $1,000. A couple purchased his old flat and turned it into an antique shop named Goldie's Junk 'N Disorderly to keep his legacy alive.