Appraisals and Appraisers

An appraisal is an independent estimation of the value of an object given by a professional appraiser. Below are some resources to guide you in understanding the appraisal process and finding an appraiser.

Collector’s Periodicals and Books

Perform a subject search in FindIt for:

Search FindIt by title to find the location for these items, or just click on the link:

Online Resources

Artprice - Online reference tool for art professionals, museums & artists who need to accurately appraiseworks of art including painting, sculpture, drawing, prints & photography
Kovel's - Large, searchable database of prices for antiques and collectibles
Internal Revenue Service - Find information about what the IRS requires by typing the word “appraisal” in the search box
Ebay - Search for items similar to what you have for price comparisons

Associations

These non-profit associations provide names of appraisers for the public.

Museums and Libraries

Museums may be able to provide you with contextual (e.g., historical or cultural) information about your object, but due to legal and ethical reasons, museum cannot provide appraisals or recommend an appraiser. Some museums have prepared information guides to assist the public with the appraisal process and finding an appraiser.

Can the Smithsonian Provide Appraisals of Objects? - Basic information about how to find an appraiser and other means of determining the value of an object from the Smithsonian Institute
Researching Your Art: How Much Is Your Object Worth? - Pricing guides, professional appraiser associations, and auction houses from the Smithsonian Institute
Choosing an Appraiser - Information to assist people unfamiliar with the appraisal process
UT's Fine Arts Library has a guide listing their resources.

Telephone Directories

Search the yellow pages of the telephone directory under these headings:

Appraisers
Antiques – Dealers
Collectibles
Book dealers

Appraisers

Below is a list of a few central Texas appraisers and some of their specialties. Contact them for more information on their qualifications, services, and prices. Names are arranged by specialty. Appraisers listed under the General category have knowledge in several areas. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the Austin Public Library.