ART SERVICES 2000 can answer your questions about fine art. We gladly answer "general" questions about works of fine art free of charge, as time and our current work schedule allows, however specific questions about monetary value requires research time and we charge for that information. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Q. I have a work of art and just want to find out if its worth having it appraised without spending a lot of money. Can you help? A. Art Services 2000 will be happy to review your work of art. If we feel that it is worth appraising we will give you an exact quote in writing prior to any agreement. If we feel that the work of art does not merit additional research or an appraisal there is no charge. Q. I have a work of art but I'm not sure if it is an original or a copy. How do I get a work of art authenticated? A. The determination of an artworks originality can be the greatest factor impacting its value.There are many copies of artworks done by amateur enthusiasts,art students,and trained professional copyists. Sometimes famous artists have made several copies or variations of the same painting or subject. Often a good copy by another artist can have high monetary value. Any authentication depends on the opinion of experts, examination of ownership records and the material examination of the work of art in question. We provide our clients with expert research and communicate with individual fine art experts and institutions worldwide. Q. I have the task of settling the estate of an artist and need to know which items are worth having appraised for legal purposes. The estate includes not only the artist's personal work, but also art works that he collected. Can you help? A. Art Services 2000 can work with the collection on line or travel to the site of the collection, make a preliminary inventory and identify works of art that should be included in the appraisal document. Prices vary with the number of items to be evaluated and the time on site. We are available to travel both nationwide and internationally. Q. I have seen a work of art at an auction that interests me. Is it possible to get an opinion about it prior to my placing a bid? A. Art Services 2000's Advisory Service can assist with an pre-purchase opinion and online evaluation. Q. I have works of art, old paintings, sculptures and prints that have been in my family for many years. Recently, I was offered a sum of money for some or all of my things. How can I know if the offer is a fair one? A. Before you sell or donate any works of art or family heirlooms, it is a very good idea to seek advice from your accountant or family attorney. We suggest that you consult a trained professional personal property appraiser who can provide you with an accurate estimate of the value of your posessions BEFORE any sale or donation takes place. CAUTIONARY NOTE: Please beware of individuals who go door to door offering to buy your personal items. Also we suggest that requests for donations for "charity yard sales" or assisted living facility "giftshop sales" be avoided without first receiving a professional evaluation or appraisal and a formal itemized receipt for all of the items being donated. Q. Who qualifies as a "trained professional personal property appraiser"? A. There are three recognized professional appraisal organizations that train, test and qualify the credentials of their members. Look for the designation ISA, International Society of Appraisers, ASA, American Society of Appraisers, or AAA , Appraisers Association of America. All three organizations have strict standards, regulations and a Code of Ethics that their members must follow. Be sure to ask the appraiser about his or her formal fine art education, testing and training, professional memberships and pertinent qualifications. Beware of anyone who is not a member of a professional appraisal organization or who lacks professional credentials. Ask questions about the appraiser's qualifications to appraise fine art. Q. I have been offered an "opportunity" to purchase a valuable work of art that I am told will greatly increase in value and will be a "great investment". It comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA) and a money back guarantee. How can I know if this special offer is for real? A. Beware of any art purchase that employs a "once in a lifetime " sales approach. Art fraud is a multi million dollar business and all too often unwary buyers are the victims of sophisticated high pressure marketing. Contact and seek advice from your local art museum, an art professional or a trained art appraiser prior to any major purchase of a work of art. Art Services 2000 provides professional guidance and Fine Arts Brokerage Services for both buyers and sellers. Q. Is a "Certificate of Authenticity" or "Money Back Guarantee" always a reliable indication that a work of art is genuine and valuable? A. "Certificates of Authenticty" or COA's , like many of the works of art they alledgedly certify as original , are not always what they claim to be. Refunds from "Money Back Guarantees" that some unscrupulous sellers advertise, are also quite difficult or impossible to obtain. Please check the background and credentials of any seller or company that offers "investment quality" artworks at bargain prices. Q. Do appraisers authenticate works of art? If not, then who does? A. Generally art appraisers do not personally authenticate works of art as being genuine. However, if the work of art is in any way questionable, it is the responsibilty of the professional appraiser to exercise due diligence in determining the origin and authorship of that specific work. This is accomplished by conferring with a number of experts and scholars who specialize in the work of the artist or the period the work comes from. The process of authentication can be a long journey and fairly costly. Art Services 2000 can help conduct provenance research and lend professional assistance to our clients by recommending up to date forensic and scientific testing of works of art. Q. I own a work of art but I have no idea of what it might be worth in today's art market. Can you tell me what it is worth? A. Our Appraisal Service can find its value at current market prices. Q. I inherited an art collection, but I know little or nothing about it's origin or value. Can you help? A. Art Services 2000's research archives and international computerized database can provide the answers you need. Q. Where can I find the appropriate replacement value to properly and accurately insure my art collection? A. We can appraise your collection and furnish your insuror wth detailed inventories and all the correct documents. We can also make suggestions for purposes of security and display to protect and preserve your valuable works of art. Q. My organization or corporation has an art collection that was started many years ago. We are interested in knowing its current value for accounting and insurance purposes.How often should appraisals of art collections be updated? A. Many schools, libraries, churches and corporations have valuable art collections, often in storage or on public display at various offices and other business locations that have not been adequately documented or appraised. It is suggested that a professional appraisal be conducted every three to five years to determine current values for insurance purposes and protect these assets. Q. I have a work of art or a collection that I wish to sell. Who can I trust to sell it for me? A. Art Services 2000 offers a complete confidential "start to finish" Sales Brokerage Service that can liquidate your works of art discretely and securely. Our expert international market research optimizes potential sales. We also provide brokerage services for private individuals and public institutions wishing to acquire new works of art for their collections. Q. I am moving. Who can I trust to handle, pack , crate and transport my valuable family heirlooms, art works and antiques? A. Art Services 2000's Transportation Division can handle and pack your works of art and transport them safely and on time, world-wide. Q.Can you assist me in donating my art collection to my favorite charitable organization or alma mater? A. We can provide all the necessary and appropriate appraisal documents to meet current IRS regulations. Q. I am in the process of settling a legal dispute or a divorce proceeding that includes valuable works of art . Where can I get help determing the value of the items involved? A. Art Services 2000 can provide all appropriate appraisal documents and if called upon can testify as to their accuracy and validity in a court of law. Q. I have a painting and some other works of art that are badly damaged. Where can I find someone to repair and restore them? A. Art Services 2000 can recommend and refer you to expert fine art conservators in all media, including paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture. Q. I have a number of other items in addition to works of art. Can you help me find a qualified appraiser for my furniture, rugs, silver, glass, and other antiques and collectibles? A. Unlike a number of other appraisal services, Art Services 2000 specializes in Fine Art only. However, we will be happy to put you in touch with the trained qualified professional personal property appraiser that you need. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT A WORK OF ART OR ARTIST, PLEASE EMAIL US AT: artserv2000@yahoo.com OR SEND YOUR INQUIRIES BY MAIL TO: ART SERVICES 2000 LTD P.O. BOX 1205 NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLORIDA 32170 CONSULTING SERVICES ART APPRAISALS Please bookmark this page for future reference. Thank you. copyright Art Services 2000 Ltd. All rights reserved.