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Are Antiques and Art Appraisers Licensed?

The Answer is NO.
There is no licensing requirement for personal property (antiques, art, decorative arts, etc.) appraisers in the United States. Appraiser qualification standards are set in the private sector. Qualification as a certified or accredited Personal Property appraiser is accomplished exclusively through appraisal societies. There are three: AAA, ISA, and ASA. I know this [… read more]

Estates: Learn About the Appraisal Process

Are you about to have to deal with someone’s Estate as the Executor or the Executrix? Then you’ll need to exercise due diligence in order to fulfill your fiduciary responsibility. There is a lot to know and it can be overwhelming if you’ve never had to do it before. Read all about the Appraisal Process [… read more]

Boomer Collectibles: Sell Now Before it’s Too Late

The boats are leaving port, people; pay attention to what’s happening all around you.
I’m talking about the Boomers. They’re growing old, down-sizing, divesting, even beginning to die off in ever-growing numbers. All of that stuff that they are/were collecting that reminded them of their childhood is fast becoming passé. The generations behind them could give [… read more]

World Auction Record: Olivetti Manual Typwriter $254,500

Cormac McCarthy (American: 1933 – ) wrote all of his novels on this contraption, a manual Olivetti Letters 32 typewriter. For readers born after 1985, refer to Webster’s definition of this artifact. Who’s Cormac McCarthy? Check out Wikipedia for the details or The Maine Digest (April 2010 issue). Suffice to say, he won a Pulitzer [… read more]

World Auction Record: 19th Century Poetry Book, Edgar Allen Poe

As reported in the Maine Antique Digest (April 2010 Issue),  the highest price ever realized at auction for a 19th century book of poetry was sold by the major New York Auction house, Christie’s, in their 4 DEC 2009 auction for $662,500.00.

World Auction Record: Painted Southern Corner Cabinet

As reported in the Maine Antique Digest (April 2010 issue), Brunk Auctions of Asheville, NC, sold a paint-decorated ca.1820 American corner cabinet attributed to John Swisegood (1796-1874) of Davidson County, NC, on 20 FEB 2010. The realized price, including buyer’s premium, surpassed the pre-sale estimate of $40k-$60k.

Art Market Report: 1st Quarter 2010

The Exchange Rate and the Art Market: Maine Antique Digest – April issue. A pertinent article in M.A.D. relevant to art market watchers, collectors, and dealers by Daniel Grant. What do hedge funds have to do with the art market? Find out for yourself what George Mason University economist, Tyler Cowen, [… read more]

World Auction Record: First Batman Comic

At Dallas based auction house, Heritage Auction Galleries, on 25 FEB 2010, a copy of Detective Comics #27 which is notable for having first mentioned the caped crusader, Batman, sold for a world auction record of $1,075,500.00. The previous auction record for a comic book was $317,000.00. Prior to that the highest ever reportedly paid [… read more]

Condition Grading Criteria for Collecting Books

Grading Criteria for Books:

As New: A book that appears just as it came from the publisher, without blemish or flaw. The dust jacket (DJ) if issued with the book is perfect, without blemish or flaw. “As New” books has never been read.
Fine: Book approaches “As New” but is not as crisp and tight and may [… read more]