Mark C. Grove, MA, AAA, ASA

Accredited Senior Appraiser

Personal Property: General

Antique Furniture, Folk Art

Fine Art, Decorative Objects

American Society of Appraisers

and the

Appraisers Association of America

Mail     Home       mark@mgrove.com    434.964.1403  EST     Charlottesville, VA. USA

Representative Images Are Not to Scale

"I say what I mean and mean what I say. Whatever the circumstances, I call them as I see them." – Mark C. Grove, ASA

Appraisals are performed in accordance with Uniform  Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) as promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation and subscribed to by the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the Appraisers Association of America (AAA). Click on USPAP for a little more on its history. Be advised: Any object that is appraised by Mr. Grove cannot be bought by him, or in his interest, in perpetuity, due to the inherent creation of a conflict of interest. Confidentiality is assured by law.

Expert Witness and Consultations for Attorneys Representing Defendants or Plaintiffs: Mr. Grove is not your client's advocate – you are. He advocates only for his own opinion as the facts merit. Objective opinions of value made by Mr. Grove shall be substantiated by credible market research and analysis. Subjective opinions are based on 29 years of practical experience and they shall be plainly identified and stated succinctly.  No opinion shall be shaped to fit the needs of any client for any reason whatsoever, period - no exceptions. Be prepared to hear what you do not want to hear if the facts support a conclusion that is opposite of your objective. Furthermore, his conclusions will be identical regardless if the case is for a defendant or for a plaintiff. Any attempt by retaining counsel to prejudice the impartial opinion(s) of Mark C. Grove or his associates will result in the immediate and automatic termination of the assignment without an opportunity for appeal and no fees will be refunded as stated in the Retention Agreement. Be advised right now, clearly: you will be reported to the appropriate authorities for any ethics or criminal violations. If you want a hired gun, go somewhere else. If you want to know the facts, you've come to the right place. If you are honest and realistic, you'll be glad that you've finally found your ethical equal. Attorneys, go to this PDF file for a preview of the Retention Agreement.

Fees are Based on a Standard Per-Hour Rate, plus ancillary expenses. Refer to Schedule of Fees & Policies.

Appraisals for Private Clients Not Involved in Litigation: Mr. Grove is not your advocate. He advocates only for his own opinion as the facts merit. Attempts on the part of a client to influence Mr. Grove's opinions of value conclusions will be rebuffed. Every effort will be made to limit your expenses as long as the required due diligence is not impinged. About two thirds of prospective clients do not need a written appraisal report and you will be advised of this as soon as it becomes evident. Also, you will be advised as to what should and should not be scheduled for insurance coverage or some other intended use. Some objects are simply not worth the expense of having them appraised and then paying the insurance premiums. However, you may overrule recommendations and insist to be scheduled as you wish. And for your information, reports often include tips in the footnotes pertaining to restoration, market strengths and weaknesses, contact information of key individuals, and resources for repair and replacements, etc. These valuable tips will save you time and frustration and they are based on Mr. Grove's experience.

Consultations for Private Clients Not Involved in Litigation: Mr. Grove is your advocate when acting as a consultant for the disposition of personal property. Your best interest is paramount. He will advise you as to the best way to dispose of your high value properties. The marketplace is complex and hazardous. Depending on what it is that you intend to sell, there are crucial factors to be considered such as timing, location, presentation, venue, etc. Unless you are entirely familiar and up to date with market trends, engage a consultant. The improved results will likely offset the expense.

The Product of the Appraisal Process is a printed and bound reference that the client can keep on file for many years to come. Finished reports are similar in appearance to a graduate school thesis or dissertation. Some are as thick as a telephone directory. Reports are bound within plastic jackets, have a cover page, executive summery and a detailed scope of work statement, index, certification page, policy statement page, an introduction, item-by-item literal and/or interpretive narrative descriptions, photographs imbedded in the text, market commentary, conclusion, footnotes, bibliography, expert pool, fine print (legal stuff), and a glossary of technical terms used in the report. All reports are protected by copyright because they are considered intellectual property. Each page carries in the header or footer the copyright, the purpose of and intended use of the appraisal report, the effective date of the report, the client's name, and the appraiser's name. Pagination is designated in a manner that reflects the length of the report so that the finished product cannot be disassembled for other intentions (i.e. 1-OF-50). TIP: Never discard old appraisal reports no matter how obsolete or how poorly written they might be because they serve as a historical record, if nothing else. Written reports provided today by accredited appraisers are vastly superior to examples available even ten years ago. Properly written appraisal reports are as important as a Will and should be kept in a safe place.

Mr. Grove Will Travel to Assignments Nearly Anywhere. He has consulted with private and institutional clients throughout Virginia and in Maryland, New York City, Seattle, Florida, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, California, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Past appraisal assignments that Mr. Grove has accepted have been for as few as one object or over 2500 objects with individual properties sometimes exceeding $2,000,000.00 in estimated value. Some of the assessed assets have been as early as 800 BC and others have been new.

All Assignments are Completed in a Timely Manner. From the examination date to completion, depending on the size of the assignment and the amount of research, they are usually completed within three to six weeks.  New assignments are scheduled as time permits.

The Personal Property Items that Mr. Grove Typically Encounters: furniture (American, Continental, English, period, country, mission, painted, twig, folk, custom, modern, etc.), paintings, prints, sculptures, bronzes, folk art, African art, Australian Papunya Western Desert art, outsider art, art pottery, porcelain, studio pottery, yellowware, redware, stoneware, studio art glass, Italian Murano art glass, pattern and cut glassware, ephemera, early photographs (tintypes, ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, CDV's, cabinet cards, etc.), sterling silver, coin silver, American Indian silver jewelry, Danish silver jewelry, Mexican silver jewelry, studio silver jewelry, costume jewelry, bakelite jewelry, luggage and handbags, purses, hatpins, schoolgirl samplers, quilts and coverlets, Oriental and hooked rugs, pewter and other metalware, treen, carvings, old hand tools and scientific instruments, medical, tobacciana, country store items, advertising, clocks, lighting, fishing tackle and lures, hunting decoys and traps, cowboy and equestrian items, firearms, edged weapons, militaria, police and firefighting, sporting and sports related, Shaker items, baskets, books, political ephemera, toys, architectural elements, garden furniture, automobiles, collections of popular collectibles, other categories too numerous to mention, and personal property that is not old but may have been damaged in transit.

Partial Listing of Past Fine Art Appraised by Mr. Grove by Artist: Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, Chagall, Dali, Goya, Rodin, Calder, Remington, Russell, J.J. Audubon, Mêlê, Domenichino, Tiepolo, Starkweather, R. Motherwell, J. Wyeth, R. Henri, J.J. Porter, Cikovsky, Altaffer, Hartenhoff, Janssand, Pain, Diaqué, Dickerson, Grau Santos, Ziem, J. Bell, Williams, Blackman, Hundertwasser, Molvig, Dobell, Oronida, Brangwyn, Lek, Toulouse-Lautrec, Ogilvie, Viat, LaLande, Hogarth, Ouida George, Tucker, Boughton, Ziegler, Davies, van Dokkum, Barile, Muncy, James George, Hoffman, Korn, Louit, De LaBrierre, Jaquamart, Barye, Trodoux, Villanis, Agostini, Norman Clark, T.T. Wilson, J.F. Murphy, Jacoulet, Tobey, Meert, G. Stevens, J. Stangl, F. Benson, D. Hockney, Cory, J. Peterson, Trainum, J. Antone, A. Cortez, L'Héritier, Faed, Klitz, W.A. Clark, E.C. Clark, J.F. Renault, E. Hill, Katz, B. Krupp, Faucher, C.M. Dewey, W.H. Williams, Tsigal, R. Karr, E.A. Abbey, Gallo, Grauer, Serrure, Künstler, B. Crane, Knowlton, Irvine, E. Lawson, E.N. Hatch, E.D. Lewis, Baird, Ferrara, C.W. Peters, M.N. MacCord, Haberle, J.B. Morse, B. Stern, Cappiello, Mercier, Hohlwein, Dupin, Falcucci, W. Baumeister, Richter, Rooney, J. Rogers, W.M. Frahme, J.J. Enwright, Pitto, Millingalli, W.W. Swallow, D. Huber, W. Mosley, Prettyman, J. Bender, H.S. Eddy, F.S. Dixon, J. Sloan, P. Lubarda, Audri Smith, D. McGary, Cloud Bear, L.West, Roland Clark, J. McBey, J.A.M. Whistler, R.G. Somers, Guida, Alan Price, Olshanetsky, Girardot, Barbera, Jan Scott, Petit, P. Leggett, Daneїs, Angellis, R. Berger, Trenton, R. Moesle, Hicks, Shoffstall, J. Frost, H. Yoshida, A.L. Ripley, A.M. Black, Rouault, Brochet, D. Downey, R. England, A. Baarns, A. Bonhomme, Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra, George Tjapanangka, Kanya Tjapangati, George Tjangala, Turkey Tolson Tjupurrulla, etc.        

No One Appraiser is Expert in All Fields. When a property is outside the norm the professional appraiser must either engage in additional research or draw from a pool of expert colleagues. Some property types require a personal property appraiser specialized in the respective field, such as: gems & jewelry, modified or damaged automobiles, equipment, yachts, aircraft, horses, and timber. If you have any of these properties, Mr. Grove can refer you to a colleague with expertise in those properties.

CREDENTIALS OF THE APPRAISER

Mark C. Grove (53) was educated at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) where he earned a BS and an MA. He acquired additional education at George Washington University (DC) that was taught by ASA instructors of professional appraisal practice and was tested there in appraisal theory, principles of practice, property economics, methodology, and ethics. As a result appraisal reports written by Mr. Grove satisfy the highest standards required by Insurance Underwriters, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Courts.

The American Society of Appraisers has the highest standards of excellence of all the appraisal societies. Accredited Senior Appraisers have five years or more of full-time appraisal experience, have completed a difficult academic regimen, have been tested in their specialty, are certified in the Federal USPAP requirements, and have had examples of their work approved by The International Board of Examiners. In addition, Accredited Senior Appraisers must comply with continuing education requirements and be retested in the USPAP every five years or face a reduction in rank. To view the typical training sequence for members of ASA, click here. Mr. Grove also holds the equivalent rank with the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) which is based in New York City; AAA has similar high professional standards.

To remain current on prices and market trends, Mr. Grove periodically travels to several National level antiques show event weeks, including Antiques Week in Manchester (NH), Nashville (TN), and York (PA). He also reviews numerous auctions at the Regional and National level, frequently studies domestic and foreign museum exhibits, enrolls in continuing education programs, and adds dozens of books to his extensive topical reference library each year.

Mr. Grove holds Bachelor of Science (1978 Geography) and Master of Arts (1983, European History) degrees from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. He has served honorably on active duty tours in the US Air Force (1972-1976) and in the US Army (1984-1987) and he is an honorary USMC Leatherneck.

Mr. Grove is a retired professional antiques dealer of American antique furniture, Americana, folk art, stoneware, redware, yellowware, quilts, art, books, rugs, and numerous other classes of antiques for over twenty-five years. In addition to operating a storefront with a large upscale inventory, he has sold antiques at regional and National level shows from The Pier in New York City to The Heart of Country Show in Nashville Tennessee and many points in between (see log).

Institutional clients: U.S. President James Madison's Montpelier, The Exchange Hotel Civil War Museum, The Library of Congress, BB&T Trust, U.S. Trust, Wachovia Trust, James Madison University, McGuire Woods and other law firms in VA, DC, NYC.

Referrals: American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Appraisers Association of America (AAA), USAA Insurance, US Trust, Wachovia Trust, Bessemer Trust, Allstate^®, BB&T, State Farm^®, Nationwide^®, Erie^®, Cabell Insurance, Flather & Perkins, and others.

Dr.& Mrs. William Oppenhimer (with permission), founders of the Folk Art Society of America (FASA), The Oppenhimer Collection at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) at Longwood University, Farmville, VA.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

►2008 ASA reaccredidation completed 22 APR 08 with a total of 302 points (minimum 100 points every five years). USPAP updated 22 APR 08. Professional requirements current for ASA through 18 MAR 2014.

►2007 National Expert Witness Conference (SEAK, Inc.), Hyannis, Cape Cod, MA. June 21-22, fourteen hours.

►2007 Advanced Deposition Skills for Experts (SEAK, Inc.), Hyannis, Cape Cod, MA. June 20, six hours.

►2007 The Biggest Mistakes Experts Make: And How to Avoid Them (SEAK, Inc.), Hyannis, Cape Cod, MA. June 19, seven hours.

►2007 Peer review of two written Appraisal Reports, advancement approved, 2^nd Specialty: American Folk Art: MAY 31.

►2007 A Day With the IRS: Tax Policy and Legal Changes that Will Affect Your Business Practice, April 27, eight hours.

►2006 Proposed to ASA International Board of Governors ASA’s American Folk Art Specialty: was principle writer of two 100 question each Folk Art specialty tests, reading list, and discipline advancement sequence.

►2005 The Appraisers Association of America's (AAA) Board of Examiners reviews and approves three written reports for the purpose of certification as a Certified Member (highest rank). Designation awarded (AAA).

►2005 The Winterthur Furniture Forum: Yankee Cabinetmakers, New England Scholarship on Old Furniture. March 3-5, twelve hours of seminars followed by a hands-on workshop on the third day.

►2004 Washington Regional Appraisers Forum: The Value of Virginia Pottery Using the Shenandoah Standard presented by H. E. Comstock. (May)

►2004 The American Society of Appraisers' Board of Examiners reviews and approves two written reports for the purpose of accreditation as an Accredited Senior Appraiser (highest rank). Senior designation awarded (ASA), 1st Specialty: Antique Furniture.

►2003 Antique Furniture Specialty Test, American Society of Appraisers —Successful (SEP 2003). At this writing, there are only ten (10) appraisers of antique furniture in the United States that are accredited by The American Society of Appraisers.

►2003 Submission of work log. The American Society of Appraisers' Board of Examiners reviews and approves an itemized, chronological work log representing five years of full-time appraisal experience.

►2002 Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice fifteen hour course and test. Certificate awarded.

►2002 Personal Property Valuation 204: The Legal and Commercial Environment. George Washington University, Washington, DC. Certificate awarded. Three semester hours.

►2002 Personal Property Valuation 203: Report Writing. George Washington University, Washington, DC. Certificate awarded. Three semester hours.

►2002 Personal Property Valuation 202: Methodology, Research, and Analysis. George Washington University, Washington, DC. Certificate awarded. Three semester hours.

►2002 Personal Property Valuation 201: Introduction to Personal Property Valuation. George Washington University, Washington, DC. Certificate awarded. Three semester hours.

BACKGROUND

►1979-2004 Antiques dealer: owner/operator of 5000 square foot upscale storefront operations, local and long-haul antiques fairs exhibitor, owner/operator of 5000 square foot upscale antiques center with exhibitors from 13 states, repair and restoration of furniture and lighting, researcher and appraiser.

►1984-1987 US Army Ordnance Officer (1st Lieutenant(P), depot-level maintenance, antiques business owner.

►1981-1983 Masters of Arts Degree (December) from JMU, on G.I. Bill; antiques business owner.

►1979-1980 General Electric exempt employee, customer service International Accounts EVC; antiques business owner.

►1976-1978 Bachelors of Science Degree (August) from JMU, on G.I. Bill.

►1972-1976 US Air Force Sergeant, aero-medic (A90150): Dover Air Force Base & Ramstein Air Base.

►1972 Madison County High School, Madison, VA.

Grew up on Spring Hill Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia reading, hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, and hiking.

Born 29 SEP 54 at Cambridge England.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel. Historic Gordonsville, Va. — Former Board Member.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, the Exchange Hotel served as a hospital for battlefield casualties on either side during the Civil War. Many noncombatants and African-Americans worked there providing aid to patients and support to the medical personnel as battles raged all around the important rail junction of Gordonsville. After the war, the building became a hotel for travelers. The museum has on display Civil War uniforms and artifacts, as well as railroad items, furniture and decorative arts of the period, and local historical curiosities.

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Family Circle Magazine, May 2008, "Hidden Treasures" p.38, quoted in text box at lower left "Going, Going, Gone". Circulation 4,690,508.  RE: http://www.parents.com/family-life/home-garden/decor/trusted-appraisers/?ordersrc=rdfc0136.

www.Prices4Antiques.com. RE: http://www.prices4antiques.com/resourcecenter/articles.asp.

"Evaluating Auction Prices." December 2007.

Maine Antique Digest. "Antiques Appraisals Defined." November 2002, Vol. XXX No. 11, p. 10A. Describes how the standards of the appraisal profession called the USPAP (yoose-pap) were established. The Maine Antique Digest is a  National periodical for antiques enthusiasts equivalent to The Wall Street Journal for antiquers.

Keswick Life. "To Own is Human, To Know Value is Divine." September 2002, p. 10. Describes the elements of an appraisal and how important they are. A neighborhood periodical targeting the socialites of fox hunting country around Charlottesville, Virginia.

SEMINARS CONDUCTED BY MARK C. GROVE

The Function of the Accredited Antiques Appraiser and Distinguishing Age Attributes. At the invitation of the Questers, 14 JUN 06, Olde South Antiques in Brownsburg, VA. Seventeen attending, two and one-half hours, pro bono.

Introduction to the Antiques Business, Collecting, and the Function of an Appraiser. At the invitation of the St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School Alumni Association Board, 30 JAN 03, Old Town Alexandria, VA. Seventy-eight attending, two hours, pro bono.

APPRAISAL FAIRS

►Lewis County Annual Antiques Market Fair: Weston, West Virginia June 2008

►Woodstock Museum: Woodstock, VA. April 2008

►VFS Private Client List Invitation, Staunton, VA. November 2007

►Woodstock Museum: Woodstock, VA. June 2007.

►Exchange Hotel Civil War Museum: Gordonsville, VA. August 2006

►Scottsville Area Katrina Relief Fund: Scottsville, VA. April 2006

►Natural Bridge Appraisal Fair: Natural Bridge, VA. March 2005

►The Shenandoah Folk Art Society: Luray, VA. April: 2004, 2005

►Charity Appraisals: Omni Hotel, Charlottesville, VA. January: 2003-2007

►National Historic Trust: Belle Grove Plantation (VA). November: 2002, 2004, 2005

►Habitat for Humanity / Women Built: Woodberry Forest School (VA). April: 2002, 2003

RESOURCES

►A large professional reference library of books on antiques, decorative arts, and fine arts.

►Expertise in accessing and researching the Internet and regional research libraries.

►Subscriptions to online databases: ArtPrice, AskArt, ArtFact, P4A, ArtCare, and other sources.

►Proficiency in Vista, Word, Excel, FrontPage, Photoshop, WSFTP-Pro, PDF, and other software programs.

►Access to an international network of expert contacts in all property categories.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
	2008
	Museum of American Glass in Weston WV
WASHINGTON, D.C. 2008
National Museum of African Art	The Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art	Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

EUROPE 2007
The Louvre Museum	Salvador Dali Exhibit London	Victoria & Albert Museum

Ability may get you to the top but it's character that will keep you there. - Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).