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How Much Is Your Object Worth?
It is hard to establish fixed values for antiques, artworks, and other collectible items. The amount asked or offered is determined by many factors, including the condition of the object, personal interests of both the seller and the purchaser, and trends in the market. According to Smithsonian Institution policy, no staff member may offer monetary evaluations. However, the following guidelines should help you find an approximate value for your artwork.
First, consult price guides to determine current sale and auction prices. Some price guides are available on the Internet, but most come in book or CD-ROM format. Specialized university or art museum libraries and larger public libraries often carry these guides. Price indexes are usually published annually and cover international auctions and galleries.
Price Guides
ADEC: International Art Prices
Art Sales Index
Davenport's Art Reference & Price Guide
International Auction Records
Leonard's Annual Price Index of Art Auctions
For prints, check the following resources:
Gordon's Print Price Annual
Contemporary Print Portfolio
Lawrence's Dealer Print Prices International
Online Pricing Resources
http://icollector.com
A free database of 1.1 million sales of fine arts at auction. It gives you access to online auctions, auction catalogs, dealers, and gallery directories.
http://FindArtinfo.com
www.artfact.com
www.artprice.com
www.artcult.com
www.artnet.com
Unregistered users can access a demo database.
www.AskArt.com
Appraisals & Appraisers
Consider finding an appraiser to determine the value of your artwork. Appraisers are trained specialists who work for a fee. They evaluate your piece and give you a written statement of its value. Although the following organizations do not provide appraisals themselves, they each publish a directory of their members. Always seek an appraiser with an expertise in the type of artwork you own.
American Society of Appraisers
555 Herndon Parkway South, Suite 125
Herndon VA 20170
703-478-2228 or 1-800-ASA-VALU
www.appraisers.org
Appraisers Association of America
386 Park Avenue South, Suite 2000
New York NY 10016
(212) 889-5404
www.appraisersassoc.org
International Society of Appraisers
1131 SW 7th St Suite 105
Renton, WA 98055
(206) 241-0359
www.isa-appraisers.org
Auction Houses
Some auction houses host free "open house" days where visitors can bring in their artworks and have auction-house staff members share their expertise. Other houses allow owners to mail their information with a photograph, and their experts will respond.
Bonhams & Butterfields
220 San Bruno Avenue
San Francisco CA 94103
(offices also in Los Angeles and Chicago)
(415) 861-7500
www.butterfields.com
Christie's
502 Park Avenue
New York NY 10022
(212) 546-1000
www.christies.com
William Doyle Galleries
175 East 87th Street
New York NY 10128
(212) 427-2730
www.doylegalleries.com
Freeman/Fine Arts of Philadelphia, Inc.
1808 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19103
(215) 563-9275
www.freemansauction.com
Phillips de Pury & Company
450 West 15th Street
New York NY 10011
(212) 940-1200
www.phillipsdepury.com
Skinner
63 Park Plaza
Boston MA 02116
(617) 350-5400
www.skinnerinc.com
Sloans & Kenyon Auctioneers
7034 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase MD 20815
(301) 634-2330
www.sloansandkenyon.com
Sotheby's
1334 York Avenue
New York NY 10021
(212) 606-7000
www.sothebys.com
Adam A. Weschler & Son, Inc.
905-909 E Street, NW
Washington DC 20004
(202) 628-1281
www.weschlers.com
Pictured: Linda Eber, Patti and Don, "Some call us rich," Sherman Canal, from "Changing Venice: Community or Commodity?" (Venice, California Documentary Survey Project), about 1975, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts