Why would I need an Appraisal?

Answer:

You may need an appraisal for Insurance.  In order to have items properly insured all valuable property, antiques, artwork and furniture should be appraised for Replacement Value for Insurance Purposes.  New purchases should also be appraised for insurance purposes.  An appraisal for unsurance will protect you if there is a theft or damage due to fire or flood.  We suggest an insurance appraisal before a move and during storage, as items are vulnerable in storage.
You many need an appraisal for Fair Market Value for Divorce or Annulment to ensure equitable distribution.  Or you may want an appraisal for Fair Market Value for tax purposes for distribution after Death (probate).
You may need an appraisal for a Charitable Contribution.  Government law requires appraisals by experts.  Institutions may need appraisals before they accept the donation.
You may need an appraisal for Estate Planning purposes to plan for the division of property in the future.

Or you may need an appraisal for orderly and/or forced Liquidation.

What is an accredited appraiser and why is this important?

Answer:

An Accredited Appraiser is both tested and experienced.  When you hire an accredited appraiser, you are ensured the best valuation expertise.  The American Society of Appraisers requires all accredited members to reaccredit every five years through a mandatory continuing education process.  Also, some insurance companies require that appraisals be done by an accredited appraiser.

Question:

Can an item still be appraised without history or provenance?

Answer:

It is not necessary to be familiar with the history of ownership in order to appraise an object. Objects can be evaluated according to their own merits, typically on the basis of materials, craftsmanship, period, form, decoration, aesthetic qualities, rarity, condition, and desirability in the marketplace. The provenance of an object will enhance the value only if a prior owner was an important historical figure or celebrated personage, or if the object was part of a highly renowned collection. In either instance, the history of the object’s ownership must be firmly documented; otherwise, the claim of a distinguished provenance simply constitutes hearsay.

Question:

Answer:

The values in an appraisal report remain valid for approximately three to five years. The marketplace for antiques and collectibles is constantly changing due to the impact of the economy, politics, and world conflicts, in addition to many other factors. This situation results in constant fluctuation of value. It is therefore recommended that the appraisal report be updated every five years.

Question:

Answer:

Toys and comic books carry value like many other types of collectibles. The value of a toy depends on age, uniqueness, manufacturer and materials. However, a toy does not necessarily have to be antique in order to be valuable. A number of twentieth-century toys are quite valuable due to their popularity among collectors.

Comic books are considered in terms of subject matter, year of publication, and edition number. Those that are the first in their series witness very high prices. Older comic books naturally carry a higher value than newer ones; however, there are more recent comic books that are in demand among collectors. Of course, in most instances comic books do not command the same high prices as antique furniture or silver, but their value far exceeds the original purchase price!