Grasping art ghouls are trying to cash in on shamed Rolf Harris by snapping up his paintings at rock bottom prices in the hope it rockets in value, experts have warned.
The pervert TV entertainer, 84, had built up a vast catalogue of art during his career with limited edition prints selling for up to £10,000.
But Harris was this week found guilty of sexually abusing four girls aged between seven to 19 and will be sentenced today.
Since his conviction, his art work has plummeted in value with some of his most famous pieces selling on eBay for as little as £100.
Now it has emerged that investors and collectors in the art world are buying up unwanted pieces, in an apparent attempt to profit from the Aussie sex beast.
Nigel Robertson, who runs Bluestone Art in Lincoln, has a now almost worthless collection of signed Harris pieces.
He said: “Since Rolf Harris was charged, there have been several calls to the gallery from collectors looking to pick up his art.
“It’s the same as the stock market.
“People take a punt. Quite a lot of people have been buying at reduced prices from me and others.
“I have heard the same story from other galleries across the country.”
Mr Robertson, who is now planning to destroy the Harris art work, admitted at the moment the pieces were “virtually valueless.”
He added: “I think they will be destroyed. We have five pieces left. It’s our stock, so it’s a loss to us.
“It’s a very sad situation.
“A lot of artists do lead wild lives – drugs, sex and rock and roll.
“But socially there’s a line that can’t be crossed and I think Rolf Harris has crossed that line.
“I don’t think there’s a separation between the art and the man.
“He was a genius.
“He was a fantastic artist. His originals sold for in excess of £100,000.
“They were very collectible and reached very high prices compared with the original price on the market, but these convictions render them pretty much valueless.”
Despite thousands of pounds being wiped off Harris’ art, his autobiography ‘Can You Tell What It Is Yet’ was on sale on Amazon yesterday for a whopping £999.
Meanwhile the internet giant was also flogging a biography of the sex fiend written by Michael Heatley for £599.