During that time, he or she will examine your items and determine whether any are worth appraising. Say, however, that you just want to know whether Grandma's porcelain figurine is a keeper or garage sale fodder. If you don't need documentation to back up the valuation, and if it's unlikely a dispute would arise over the issue, an expert opinion may be all you need. Wolf's Fine Arts Auctioneers in Cleveland offers free oral estimates the first Thursday of every month and also will provide them by appointment, says assistant director Bridget McWilliams. Wolf's can provide the estimates for free because the event draws a lot of commissions for the auction house, she says.
Clients are limited to four items.
They can bring anything, but McWilliams points out that Wolf's personnel are most knowledgeable in the auction house's areas of specialization, including painting, sculpture, art glass, jewelry and Asian art. Sometimes the events turn up delightful surprises, a la Roadshow. Once someone brought in a watercolor, a piece that the owner had inherited. It turned out to be by renowned American artist Stuart Davis. To find that person, ask people you know, or ask historical societies, museums, bank trust departments or estate attorneys for recommendations, suggests Chris Jussel, a former antique dealer who is now host of Antiques Roadshow and a senior vice president in Sotheby's online division.