A Message for Peggipei

As I have done in the past, when there is an interesting comment on the AW Blog, I like to move it from the comment section to the main posting area so all readers may see. Peggipei posted a comment about the content I provide on the AW Blog. The comment is at the end of my post.

Due to the comment from Peggipei, there might be some misunderstanding on what the Appraiser Workshops blog is all about.

In some respects, I agree with Peggipei, that many of the articles are limited in scope to fine art. I too am frustrated with that, as I am an American and English furniture specialist and not a fine art specialist. But there is little content in the news about the decorative arts, and even less on personal property appraising. When I find it, I post it. Remember, many of the trends reported on fine art can also be applied to the decorative arts.

Interestingly enough, on the day of Peggipei's comment, in addition to the Forbes post on Russian art fakes and forgeries (which I personally found fascinating), was a posting on the RICS Art and Antique survey which was just released. The survey contains much information on market trends for the decorative arts (including furniture, books, ceramics, silver, etc). The previous day there was a post on auction houses and how they are approaching upcoming sales in the poor economy (this effects appraiser who work with clients who need market value appraisals), and the latest USPAP Q&A's. Earlier I posted on classical furniture coming to Americana week and prior to that discussed items of interest at the Winter antiques show and the itinerary and auctions of Americana week. There was also a recent post on Park West Gallery being sued, yes fine art, but most generalist appraisers see cruise ship art on a regular basis. The blog had a fair amount on museum deaccessioning, which can be applied to both fine and decorative arts. I also post technology tips when I find something I think is useful to appraisers. I have even posted on motivation topics such as Getting Things Done (GTD) and organizers.

So I am not so sure I agree with Peggipei about only a "smattering" of items beyond fine art and the posts being "redundant". Remember, the posts originate from what is currently in the news, the NY Times, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Forbes, the Times of London, etc. Every post is not meant to be of interest to every reader of the blog. If it is of interest I hope it is read, if not, I expect it is quickly deleted. Perhaps some appraisers only gain usable content once or twice a week, maybe more, maybe less.

To be clear, the blog is a free service set up in my spare time to report news and current events on topics that would be of interest to personal property appraisers. Many readers of the blog send me content and news when they see it as well. The blog is not meant to be a vehicle to teach the basics of appraisal theory and methodology.

Peggipei comments Appraising is a challenge, exciting and new with each new client we take on, and as we appraisers know "Knowledge is the Key," so once again, give us something more than art to learn about.

The Appraiser Workshop Blog is a free service, so I find the above comment rather demanding and presumptuous. I understand there is more than fine art to report, yet finding current and reliable content on the decorative arts and personal property appraising is not always easily found. I run two antique galleries, run an appraisal practice, I am a partner in the Appraiser Workshops developing and holding classes, I exhibit at antiques shows, post daily items to the blog, I developed and edit the Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies (pro bono for the Foundation for Appraisal Education, the 2009 edition coming in March), and I serve on the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the International Society of Appraisers, so I only have a limited amount of time for the blog. I am not complaining, I love every minute of it.

Peggipei would like me to write about appraisal theory and methodology. To write on condition, age, scarcity etc. The blog was not developed for that type of primary appraisal information. Although if I find something published that applies, I post it. Unfortunately I dont have much additional time to write blog posts, and columns with primary or even secondary research that Peggipei would like. In reality that is why the Appraiser Workshops has the Good, Better, Best Appraiser Workshop, and soon another workshop on valuation. That is why ASA, ISA, NAA and AAA have classes. The blog is meant to be a news based service for appraisers, not an instructional column with appraisal theory and methodology articles (for that, sign up for a class or purchase the Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies).

Peggipei, if you know where to find reliable news and content on those items of interest in your posted comments, then please, by all means send them to me. If you would like to write something for the blog which would be helpful to fellow appraisers, please do.I put a fair amount of time into finding the content that I do post, but I only have limited time and resources to do it. Most of what I find is fresh and topical, but I never envisioned the blog as a forum for teaching the basics of appraising. I think if I did, I would lose many of my readers and subscribers. It is for current news within the industry. Most of the posts link back to the original article since I am not writing an article or column, only passing along information that is in the news with a few comments and excerpts.

So when I get a comment like "The name on the door reads "Appraisal Workshop," so give with information on other things!", while the content I provide is totally free, perhaps I do get a little defensive. For that I apologize, because if you put yourself out in the public domain, you have to be prepared to handle criticism. I have rambled on for far too long, Peggipei's full comment follows for those who are interested.

Of course further comments are welcome.

Peggipei posts:

I look forward each day to you latest articles, but day after day they are about Fine Art, with only a smattering of other topics thrown in.

The current article is great, but is "Fine Art" the only thing out there that is interesting? What about all the other fields in the appraising world? Not everyone is an art appraiser, or even interested in art. Sure art prices can effect many things, but come on, day after day of the same thing is getting a little redundant.

The name on the door reads "Appraisal Workshop," so give with information on other things! Talk about setting values, talk about condition, talk about age, talk about rarity, scarcity. 'Help' we little appraisers hone our tools in other areas of the appraising world. Live up to you name, please.

Appraising is a challenge, exciting and new with each new client we take on, and as we appraisers know "Knowledge is the Key," so once again, give us something more than art to learn about.

Respectfully submitted,
Peggipei