1. Overcoming Barriers: New Perspectives for Challenging Comparables
Generalist
Instructors Mickey Logan, ISA CAPP (AFDA ) Carol Matesic ISA AM (AFDA and Estate Sales)

2. How do you find comparables for unique items?
A train station bench, circa 1930s small Texas depot – no documentation acknowledging original location of this bench; purchased at auction in the 1960s Measures: 34” tall x 48 ½” deep x 116” long.
A large Mahogany two piece Perfume store display Lower cabinet: 112” long x 34” tall x 8 ½” deep. Upper cabinet 41” tall x 112” long x 8” deep. This is clearly a one of a kind fixture removed from a defunct perfumery business.

3. Thinking outside the “Bench”
No similar benches were found at the time I did this appraisal for an estate several years ago.
I used church pews as a similar comparison. $ range
However, this one with seats on both sides and over 9’ long would be difficult to find another suitable location – it worked well in this large game room on a TX ranch.
I valued it at $300.
Since then – this one was found posted on liveauctioneers – it is similar but without the seat dividers. It sold for $272 w/premium.

4. Upper Perfume cabinet – Narrow glass shelves,
mirrored backs

5. Lower Perfumery cabinet – mirrored back, glass shelves and doors.

6. Perfume store display
This was an unusual and large item taking an entire wall (9’ long). However, I knew that many collectors of small items/glass would like this to display their collections.
Researched store liquidation and salvage sales: Pharmacy and soda fountain stores and a sheet music store with narrow fixtures
Didn’t find one quite as unique so added a 20% premium to the most similar one found that sold and valued it at $2600.
The country store cabinet pictured here sold at $2124 w/premium.
FYI: This piece stayed in the family.

7. 3 Venetian ducks of the “Ambrati” series by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso circa 1956
Only actual sold comparable found:
Christies 30 Nov 2000, New York
Single 7 3/4” Duck Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000
Price realized USD 9,400 (Inc premium)
How do you compute an insurance value 16 years later?
6 ¾”, 9” tall and 7 ¾”

8. 1. What other Barovier pieces have sold more recently?
Circa 1940 Conch shell is currently offered by S&A Art Glass for $
Circa 1960s ducks sold by Modern Décor for $2500 for a Pair 10” and 9” in 2015

9. 2. What similar Venetian glass artist could we compare
2. What similar Venetian glass artist could we compare? Bianconi for Venini
Pair of Lattimo glass Bianconi Ducks Sold Jan 9, sold $2500 (inc. premium) Wright Lot 0238
1954 Lattimo Biancono ducks sold LA ModernAuctions Lot 0378 Oct 13, 2013 for $1530.

10. What value would you compute for the 3 ducks as a grouping based on this info?
$2295 based on $765 each piece Lattimo Biancono ducks
$3750 based on $1250 each piece recent sales? These were not the same ducks.
$28,200 based on one identical sold at $9400 in 2000?
$12,000 based on $4000 as Barovier conch shell is offered x 3?
Some other computation?

11. Shadow Box framed paper toy soldiers:

12. Late 19th Century paper soldiers
Reproduction books of these soldiers can be purchased for around $20 a set.
Antique uncut sheets can be bought for $
But this particular group had belonged to a grandparent and had been expensive to mount and frame.
Would someone want another family’s keepsake toys? How would you compute a FMV?

13. The Case of the
The Invisible Donation

15. 398 07/22/2015 HOME ACCESSORIES $305.00 399 $125.00 400 $295.00 401
$400.00
402
$275.00
403
$260.00
404
405
406
$345.00
407
$75.00
408
$50.00
409
$120.00
410
$70.00
411
Home Accessories
412
413
414
07/28/2015
Candle
$25.00

16. DESIGNER Size M White Blouse White, Size M, DESIGNER $15.00
06/23/2015
OSCAR DE LA RENTA Scarf
OSCAR DE LA RENTA
$75.00
Scarf
$35.00
$20.00
LULU B. Size M White Blouse
White, Size M, LULU B.
DESIGNER Size M White Blouse
White, Size M, DESIGNER
$15.00
06/25/2015
Bracelet
$1,495.00
Earrings
$225.00
$95.00
$295.00
Necklace
$249.00
$419.00
Ring
$179.00
Pendant
$259.00
$325.00
$30.00
Bracelet 1
Earrings 2
$40.00

17. 07/09/2015
Necklace 155
$25.00
BRACELET 156
$35.00
02/18/2015
DESIGNER Black Hat
Black, DESIGNER
$36.00
07/10/2015
FLOOR LAMP
$259.00
BRONZE SCULPTURE
$5,500.00
ROCKING HORSE
$395.00
07/13/2015
Bracelet 74
$12.00
Bracelet 75
Bracelet 76
$10.00
Earrings 147
$15.00
CAROLEE Necklace 151
CAROLEE
$24.00
Earrings 210

18. 1922 ITEMS

19. Photographs

20. How Do You Approach this Appraisal? (Remember it is for IRS)
Do you turn it down?
Can someone else do it better?
Can you find comparables?