posted on August 5, 2001 04:54:43 PM
Appraising is simply haveing detailed information on the subject and the knowledge of current pricing.
if porcelain is your interst you need to become a expert on porcelain and stay up with current pricing and trends.
I had a freind who wrote to schroders antique guides several years ago regarding his area of exertise telling them their prices were worthless one thing led to another and he now writes the prices for his area of expertise he has also written a couple of books on the subject.
Watch antiques roadshow the guys giving the appraisls have immmersed themselves in their area of expertise for years.
I would be catious of any course claiming to make you a appraiser.
I have been out of antiques full time for 10 years or so but when I was doing it full time there were two areas that I would have been confident in appraising.
posted on August 5, 2001 08:58:47 PM
Contact the International Society of Appraisers, they have a website, it may be unders ISA, they hold classes, there are a certain number of credit hours and an exam which you must pass to become certified
posted on August 6, 2001 05:34:22 AM
Hi Intrigueantiques -- I am a jewelry appraiser by trade. I went to GIA for my gemological training but that taught me nothing about appraising.
The courses that the appraising societies offer teach you the principles and practice of valuation only. It will teach you NOTHING about your particular field. It will cost you about 300-400 and is a home-study program conducted through the mail in most cases. In my opinion it's a big club with expensive dues.
Appraising is simply an expert opinion and once you begin putting that opinion on paper, i.e. an "appraisal" you'd better know your stuff. I'm not sure about the antique world (although period jewelry is my area of expertise) but in jewelry I have seen many lawsuits over misidentification, over-valued, under-valued, origin etc. The list goes forever. If you decide to write appraisals be sure to sit down with an attorney to compose a disclaimer spelling out your particular cetificate of appraisal practices and assumptions, limiting and contingent conditions. Mine is 2 pages long. Also, INCORPORATE.
I'm not sure about the antique world, but in jewelry there are appraisers and dealers and the "twain shall not meet" In other words, you either appraise or buy and sell. Not both, it's a conflict of interest and no other dealer is going to give a hoot about your appraisal or opinion. I'm in a rather large metopolis and jewelry appraisers get enough work without having to comprimise.
Now I'm curious, does the antique world mix buy-sell-appraise?
Good luck with your venture. In my opinion appraising is a lucrative business. It is for me!
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[ edited by geminspector on Aug 6, 2001 05:41 AM ]
posted on August 6, 2001 10:02:36 PM
Study eBay's completed porcelain auctions. No matter what it is you are selling, it is only worth what you can get someone to pay for it, not what some appraiser tells you. Remember the appraiser gets a % of the value.
Everything eventually shows up on eBay & much can be learned there. At the least, it's a good place to start.
posted on August 7, 2001 04:00:54 AM
McJane -- You are right. Items are truly worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. However I have been to many live auctions where the estimate (which is arrived at by experts) is far surpassed.
As far as fees...I charge a flat rate per item. The outcome of the appraisal has nothing to do with my fees. I would be very wary of anyone basing their fees on the worth of an item.
