Information For Those Seeking Appraisals and Object Identification

A NOTE ABOUT THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS: Arizona State Museum condemns the buying and selling of antiquities. We therefore will not assist in the identification or authentication of any object we may have reason to believe may have been acquired or transferred in contravention of applicable law or current professional ethical standards. We adhere to the Society for American Archaeology’s (SAA) Ethical Principals. Ethical Principal #3 states: “The Society for American Archaeology has long recognized that the buying and selling of objects out of archaeological context is contributing to the destruction of the archaeological record on the American continents and around the world. The commercialization of archaeological objects -- their use as commodities to be exploited for personal enjoyment or profit -- results in the destruction of archaeological sites and of contextual information that is essential to understanding the archaeological record. Archaeologists should therefore carefully weigh the benefits to scholarship of a project against the costs of potentially enhancing the commercial value of archaeological objects. Whenever possible they should discourage, and should themselves avoid, activities that enhance the commercial value of archaeological objects, especially objects that are not curated in public institutions, or readily available for scientific study, public interpretation, and display.”
A NOTE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTY: Arizona State Museum respects the cultural property laws of other countries and we therefore do not participate in the identification of international archaeological material. ASM also adheres to the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property of 1970 and the resulting 1983 U.S. legislation which prohibits the import of cultural property stolen from a non-U.S. museum or similar public or religious institution and which places import controls on items of cultural property where cultural patrimony is in jeopardy from pillage.

Arizona State Museum personnel may choose to examine historic/modern (non-archaeological) objects owned by the public to give opinions on age, provenience, and function. Under no circumstances will an appraisal of object value for insurance, commercial, or other purposes be made.

Choosing an appraiser—In cases involving potential gifts to ASM, IRS regulations require that a disinterested third party perform the appraisals. For IRS guidelines on qualified appraisers, refer to I.R.S. Code Section 170(f)(11).

What to expect of an appraiser—Proof of expertise, credentials, proof of liability insurance, a written contract, a signed statement of disinterest, appraisal documentation, type of value desired (fair market, replacement). When contracting for appraisal services with a dealer, be aware that the dealer might be interested in purchasing the items at, or below, wholesale value. 

The cost of an appraisal—Most appraisers charge rates based on hourly fees which can run up to $200 or more per hour. For federal tax purposes, it is illegal for the appraisal fee to be based on a percentage of the overall value of the item(s). A feasibility study may be requested of the appraiser to determine whether an appraisal is warranted. The cost of an appraisal might be tax-deductible in the case of charitable contributions. To find out specific requirements for claims, please contact the IRS or a tax professional.

Disclaimers—The following list includes the names and contact information of individuals who identify themselves as personal property appraisers or knowledgeable in the field of the stated material culture. This list is not all-inclusive and does not indicate any preference or recommendation by ASM. In no way does the Arizona State Museum recommend, guarantee, or endorse the work performed by any of the individuals or entities contained within this list. Where known, membership status in a professional appraisal association (AAA, ASA, ISA) is listed. Contact information for each of these societies is listed at the end of this document.

 

Legend
* Indicates appraisers specializing in American Indian/Native American items.
** Indicates appraisers specializing in books.
AAA—Appraisers Association of America (C-Certified Member)
ASA—American Society of Appraisers (AM-Accredited Member, ASA-Accredited Senior Member, FASA-Fellow)
ISA—International Society of Appraisers (CP-Certified Member, AM-Accredited Member)

 

TUCSON AREA

Ambassador Diamond Jewelers - Diamonds - Stewart Kuper, 4668 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson AZ 85712 (520) 327-8800, Fax (520) 795-5302

American Eagle Brokerage, Inc. – Antiques, Decorative Arts - Pauline E. Roed (ASA/ASA), 6738 East Opatas, Tucson AZ 85715-3337 (520) 885-3635

American Heirloom Appraisers, L.L.C.- Antiques, Furniture, Porcelain, Paintings, Decorative Art

Artabella Jewelry Appraisals – Gems, Jewelry - Tracy Lee Aros, 1760 E. River Rd. #119, Tucson AZ 85718  (520 ) 751-7435, Fax (520) 546-5641

Asian Trade Oriental Rug Center - Asian Rugs - Tomas Almazon, 3525 N. Campbell, Tucson AZ 85718 (520) 326-7828, Fax (520) 326-1432

Covington Fine Arts Appraisals - American and European Prints, Paintings - Wayne Kielsmeier, 6530 E. Tanque Verde Rd Suite 140, Tucson AZ 85749 (520) 298-7878

Etherton Gallery - Fine Arts, Photographs - Terry  Etherton, 135 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson AZ 85701 (520) 624-7370, Fax (520) 792-4569

*Medicine Man Gallery – Antique Native American art, Western art, the lifework of Maynard Dixon, Taos Founders, San Ildefonso potters Maria Martinez, Popovi Da, and Tony Da, 6872 E. Sunrise Drive Suite 130, Tucson AZ 85750 (520) 722-7798

*Michael D. Higgins Antique Indian Art – Baskets, Pottery, Navajo Weavings, Beadwork, Paintings, 4351 E. Grant Rd, Tucson AZ 85712 (520) 577-8330

Settlers West Galleries  - Western Art - Stuart Johnson, 6420 N. Campbell, Tucson AZ 85718 (520) 299-2607, Fax (520) 299-6021

Dwight & Christine Schannep (ISA-AM) 3130 E. Grant Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 326-3070

**Truepenny Books – Book and Archive appraisers, Tucson, AZ  (520) 546-0220

Diana M. Warren (AM) - Ceramics, Textiles, Silver - 5555 N. Via Alcalde, Tucson AZ 85718-5107 (520) 299-6645

 

PHOENIX METRO AREA

**Alcuin Books – Book Appraisers – Richard Alcuin (member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America), 4242 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 946-1969

Allison D. Gee, M.A. – Accredited Senior Appraiser Designated in Fine Arts - 2005-2007 President, Phoenix-Metro American Society of Appraisers (623) 535-0631

Appraisal Service, Ltd. - Antiques, Silver, Porcelain, Metals - Jean K. Patten, 4222 E. Agave Rd., Phoenix, AZ, 85044-4618 (602) 258-7267, Fax (602) 257-0710

Barnes Fine Jewelers - Gemstones, Diamonds, Jewelry, Watches - Paul R. Barnes (AM), 891 N. Val Vista, Gilbert, AZ 85234 (480) 545-8585

Betteridge Jewelers – Gems, Jewelry - Peter A. Betteridge (AAA), 7001 North Scottsdale Road #100, Scottsdale AZ 85253 (480) 948-0777

*Corinne Cain Ltd. - Native American Arts, Fine Arts - Corinne Cain (ASA/ASA), 326 West Harmont Drive, Phoenix AZ 85021-5643 (602) 906-1633, Fax (602) 906-0677

 Bradbury's Appraisals, Inc. - Antiques, Collectables, Silver, Porcelains - Barbara  Bradbury (ISA), 4515 N. Invergordon Rd., Scottsdale AZ 85251 (480) 947-2378

David E. Adler, Inc. - Oriental Rugs - David  Adler (ASA/AM, AAA), 7350 N. Dobson Road Suite 108, Arizona Design Center, Scottsdale AZ 85256-2712 (480) 513-3200, Fax (480) 513-3202

Garelick's Gallery of Fine Arts - Paintings, Watercolors, Drawings - Robert  Garelick  7791 E. Osborn Rd., #29-E, Scottsdale AZ 85251 (480) 994-4524

International Gemological Appraisal Service - Gems, Jewelry,  Sindi J. Schloss (AM), 2931 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale AZ 85251-7207 (480) 947-5866

Jeremy Rowe Vintage Photography - Documents, Photographs, Cameras (480) 299-9543

Karen S. Rabe, ISA CAPP, Appraisal Specialist & Associates, LLC, (623) 533-3306, W Running Deer Trail, Peoria, AZ 85383 

Rare Art Appraisals- Fine Art, Antiques - Lisa Barnes (AAA) (IFAA), 2302 N. Vision Way, #105, Phoenix, AZ. 85086 (623) 582-4500

 

PRESCOTT AREA

Appraisal Associates - Antiques, Decorative Arts - B. Anker Jensen (ASA/ASA), 1385 Iron Springs Road #225, Prescott AZ 86301 (928) 778-1500

Lamerson's Jewelry & Lapidary - Gems, Diamonds, Jewelry - James L. Lamerson (AM), 105 N. Cortez St., Prescott AZ 86301 (928) 771-0921

 

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

*Cathy Notarnicola – Historic Southwestern American Indian Weavings, Basketry and Plains Indian Material Culture -  P.O. Box 33224, Santa Fe, NM 87594 (202) 302-1749

* Joan Caballero – Native American Art – historic & contemporary; New Mexican Hispanic Arts & Regional Southwest Fine Art – P.O. Box 822,  Santa Fe, NM 87504 (505) 982-8148, Fax: (505) 982-7048. Email: joancaballero@msn.com

 

NATIONAL ACCREDITING SOCIETIES

American Society of Appraisers (ASA), 555 Herndon Parkway, Suite 125, Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 478-2228, Fax: (703) 742-8471. Email: asainfo@appraisers.org 

Appraisal Foundation, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-7722, (202) 347-7727 Fax   

Appraisers Association of America (AAA), 386 Park Avenue South, between 27th and 28th Streets, Suite 2000, on the 20th floor, New York, NY 10016 (212) 889-5404, x11. Email: aaa@appraisersassoc.org

International Society of Appraisers (ISA), 303 W. Madison Street, Suite 2650 Chicago, IL 60606 (312)-981-6778, Fax (312)-265-2908. Email: isa@isa-appraisers.org