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Appraisal Inquiries

Following standard museum professional policies and IRS guidelines, Museum staff members may not provide dollar-value appraisals for estates or for the purpose of federal tax deductions. They must be done by an independent, certified, appraiser. Most of the larger art auction houses have staff members who can provide this service.

In order to appraise a work, art auction houses normally request good color photographs of the work as a whole (front and back), and photos of details such as the signature, any marks, labels, etc., on the back. The appraiser may require other photos and information. Appraisers vary in areas of expertise, staff size, services provided, and fees.

We suggest you search for a fine art appraiser near your location who is familiar with the type of art object for which you want an appraisal.

1. Contact the American Society of Appraisers
11107 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 310, Reston, VA 20190

Call Toll-Free 800-ASA-VALU (800-272-8258)
or 703-478-2228
Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Email asainfo@appraisers.org

You can visit their website where you can geographically search for appraisers by specialty: www.appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser

OR

2. Contact the Appraisers Association of America, Inc.

Appraisers Association of America, Inc.
212 West 35th Street, 11th Floor South
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212.889.5404 x 14
Fax: 212.889.5503
www.appraisersassociation.org

or use their online tool called "Find an appraiser"

https://www.appraisersassociation.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=741&nodeID=1

OR

3. Contact one of the art auction houses listed below whose services include appraisals for insurance, taxes, estates, etc.:

MICHIGAN:

  • Caroline Ashleigh Associates, LLC
    1221 Bowers Street, #1863
    Birmingham, MI 48012
    (248) 792-2929
    www.appraiseyourart.com

  • DuMouchelles Art Gallery
    409 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
    (313) 963-6255
    www.dumouchelle.com

INDIANA:

CHICAGO AREA:

    Richard-Raymond Alasko

  • 832 West Superior St., Suite 201
    Chicago, IL 60604
    (312) 491-9760

  • Bonhams (Chicago Office)
    200 East Randolph St., Suite 5100
    Chicago, IL 60601
    (773) 267-3300
    www.bonhams.com

  • Christie’s (Chicago Office)
    875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3810
    Chicago, Il 60611
    (312) 787-2765
    www.christies.com

  • Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
    1338 West Lake St., Chicago, IL 60607
    (312) 280-1212
    www.hindmanauctions.com 

  • Sotheby’s (Chicago Office)
    980 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1815
    Chicago, IL 60611
    (312) 475-7900
    www.sothebys.com

This list of area appraisers is also attached as a PDF.

This list is provided as a public service only. The individuals listed must be contacted at the discretion of the consumer.

The Museum warrants neither the quality, nor the accuracy, of the work done by any person or company on this list, or any other appraiser cited by Raclin Murphy Museum of Art staff members.

(updated June 26, 2019)