Fine Art Appraisal and stamped Valuations are available in the Lodo,
downtown Denver area by a highly experienced Certified Fine Arts
Appraiser, member AAA & IAS. If you do not have a current written,
stamped and filed appraisal of your fine art, you could very likely
NOT be reimbursed full value from your insurance carrier in the event
of loss : fire, theft, felony, even smoke damage. One should also
consider the need because of Divorce action, Estate Planning or after
death when the probate court requests written appraisals on all fine
Arts, or to simply pass forward your assets in a fair manner to
several inheritors under the will. . Keep in mind that Ms. Greek has
spent 18 years as an insurance agent and Licensed Financial Planner,
before coming back to her first love, the ART industry. She will come
to your home or office for the initial review of your art collection.
Please feel free to call for an estimate of charges. These will be
minor indeed compared to your possible LOSSES.
I myself (Niña Lee Greek) have an extensive background and education
in the Art Industry. This includes Chouinard Art School in Los
Angeles, (now California Institute of the Arts located in Valencia,
CA); University of Missouri at Columbia, MO; Winona State College, at
Winona, Minnesota; Plus William and Mary College, extension division
in Norfolk, Virginia (while still in High School) I also dedicated a
semester at the Juneau Douglas Museum studying Tlinget Haida culture,
Art & artifacts. While a Gallery owner for 18 years in Alaska, I made
many many trips around Alaska including Nome, Kotzebue, Fairbanks,
Delta Junction, Sitka, Juneau-Douglas, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan
for the expressed purpose of viewing Native Art & Artifacts, as well
as purchasing for the Gallery in Anchorage. I have accrued 154 credit
hours toward my Masters Degree in Fine Arts.
As a certified Appraiser, who specializes in American Native Art &
Artifacts... with a particular interest in Alaska Native Art I have
spent years buying & selling nearly all practicing Artists and
artisans in Alaska, deceased & contemporary; Native or Caucasian.
Because of my 7 1/2 years of Art School in many different regions of
the U.S. I feel more than comfortable viewing & valuating most types
of Fine Arts, including European.
An aside note by my assistant: Ms Greek's love of art and artisans has
helped her gain commendable insight into matching people to their
perfect choices in fine arts for their home or office. Her intuitive
insight may exceed that of others in her field because her depth and
breadth of knowledge plus traveling all over the US while doing
appraisal work allows her a wider range of 'What is out there" .
Remember, viewing art is food for the soul , she often says to me. All
people are truly unique especially in their Art choices. Niña feels it
is her highest calling to help a person find happiness in their
selection of Fine Art . "One must understand a buyer, their desires,
budget, and expectations" , she has told me on many occasions . Estate Appraisals Gallery has items for every budget from a mere $35.00 to
several thousand.
Authentication Instructions:
1. Try to answer all questions in Parts I and II below; information
should come from your own knowledge. If data comes from a document
that you have viewed but cannot include a copy of, or from discussions
with another individual , put that information in "quotation marks".
Please do not guess.
2. You should prepare a separate Authentication Form for each of your
prints, except, of course, for sets (portfolios) of prints.
3. We require five (if pertinent) photographs of your print:
a) the complete image, including frame
b) the signature (close-up)
c) the numbering (close-up)
d) the back of the piece if pertinent
e) a mid-range view to show brush strokes
4. If you have any relevant documents, such as Certificates of
Authenticity, Invoices, original receipts of purchase, etc, please
make copies and attach them with this form , or scan & e-mail them .
5. Please enclose a check or money order for the initial fee which we
will discuss on the phone as we go along. Sometimes nothing, or
sometimes a fair amount if there is agreement on work to be performed.
Please Note: You can submit photographs of the Piece (Pieces)
which you are hoping to have Appraised. However, unless you do the
photographs in the specific manner described following, they will be
almost useless. Digital photos, unless done by a professional,
invariably have reflections and shadows making a TRUE VIEW
prohibitive. We can't see a thing, clearly. And clarity is absolutely
imperative. The pixels are better with a standard Camera, but the same
problems of reflections & shadows apply as above.
It is, however, definitely cheaper to snail-mail me a CD
composed by a professional photographer, rather than pay for travel
expenses for myself; or, barring that, travel expenses for yourself
to bring the items here to Denver or Anchorage, whichever Gallery you
reside nearer to. Eventually, I will have to view the Pieces in
questions IN THE REAL. But, initially you would, no doubt, like an
informed opinion (my best guess, if you will) as to IF these items
are VALUABLE ENOUGH to plan a "full on" Appraisal. This is where the
professionally done photographs are 100% required.
When hiring a photographer go to the best whom you can afford. Some
one with a store front location, rather than a friend, generally knows
the follow requirements. That individual has sufficient training and
knowledge to have set himself up in business. Additionally, If they
are not right, he will do them over.
- Place the pieces on over large black felt or velvet... to delete
any & all background information and minimize reflections.
- Use the strongest light you can find, quartz lighting is good.
But DO NOT allow that light on your Fine Arts for more than a few
minutes tops... avoid light damage, like the plague, especially on
antique Pieces, photographs or water color Originals. Lighting
should be stabilized, not hand held, for sure. Motion at the
optimum moment is ruinous to your results.
- Stabilized Camera, as well. You see why you need a professional
photographer?
- 5 photos as described above.
- Having the photos large & semi-gloss or reproduced on a CD is
fine, even preferable, as long as the file extension chosen by the
photographer is one of standard use such as jpeg.
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