Appraisal & Auction Services
Are you interested in learning about the history and value of your property or how to sell at auction? Skinner offers a complete range of appraisal and auction services designed to assist you in making decisions to fit your needs.
Appraisals
How to Obtain an Appraisal
A written appraisal is a report giving an opinion of the value of an item at a given point in time. All Skinner appraisals are compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and Skinner charges a fair and competitive fee for written appraisal services. The Skinner Appraisal Services team will guide you through the entire written appraisal process, providing an efficient and professional experience.
A written appraisal is not necessary if you are interested in selling at auction. Skinner provides verbal estimates of value, called auction evaluations, free of charge.
Fair Market Value Appraisal
You may need a Fair Market Value Appraisal for estate tax purposes, estate planning, equitable distribution, or tax-deductible donations. A Fair Market Value Appraisal from Skinner is a USPAP compliant document stating our professional opinion of the value of your property. It will reflect the realistic resale value of the property from a willing seller to a willing buyer when both parties understand the current market.
Replacement Value Appraisal
If you are planning to insure valuable items, you will need a Replacement Value Appraisal. This USPAP compliant document estimates the retail replacement value of your property, meaning the amount it would cost to purchase the same or a similar item in the event of a loss, and also contains a detailed description of each item. The description will be important for identification purposes if your property is lost or damaged, and often includes medium or material, size, country of origin, and artist or maker.
Appraisal Appointments Happen in Person
To provide a written appraisal, an appraiser must view your items in person. Skinner expert appraisers conduct USPAP compliant appraisal appointments at our Boston and Marlborough, MA offices, as well as at our Coral Gables, FL office. If you have many items that need to be appraised, we may schedule an appraisal appointment at your home. We refer to this as a house call.
To assess the rarest objects or objects of exceptionally high quality, Skinner appraisers will travel worldwide. Email the Skinner Appraisal Services team or call us at 508-970-3299 to discuss items that may be quite rare or valuable.
Contact Us
Contact LaGina Austin, director of the Appraisal & Auction Services department, for more information or to arrange a written appraisal.
Skinner
Appraisal Services
274 Cedar Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-970-3299
Fax: 508-970-3100
Email: appraisals@skinnerinc.com
Trusts & Estates
Trust & Estate Services
Skinner works in partnership with banks, law firms, estate executors, and other trust and estate settlement professionals to provide auction and appraisal services for single items, collections, or entire households.
Our expert appraisers bring a wealth of knowledge, integrity, and decades of experience with fine tangibles to every appraisal. Skinner valuations are respected by dealers, collectors, insurance companies, and tax authorities.
Estate Appraisals
Skinner offers responsive, specialized appraisal services for estate settlement purposes. With concise yet thorough descriptions and low minimum fees, our fully USPAP compliant Estate Appraisals meet all the legal and tax requirements for estate settlement at reasonable cost.
Contact Appraisal & Auction Services at 508-970-3299 for further information or to arrange an estate appraisal with Skinner.
Auction Evaluations and Consultations
Skinner expert appraisers provide auction evaluations or preliminary estimates of what an item or small group of items may bring at auction free of charge. Receiving an auction evaluation puts you under no obligation to consign, but we take it on good faith that you are considering selling your item at auction.
Before arranging an appointment or house call, we ask to see pictures of the items. This ensures that we match you with the appropriate specialist.
Submit pictures for an auction evaluation
To discuss items that may be quite rare or valuable, email the Skinner Appraisal Services team or call 508-970-3299.
Auction Services for Major Collections
As the preeminent New England auction house, Skinner has extensive experience handling major collections and commands record-breaking prices in the domestic, specialty, and international marketplaces. We provide thoughtful, targeted marketing including dedicated auctions and full-color, published catalogs. For example, The Patriotic Americana Collection of Marilyn and Michael Gould.
Whether you represent a collector or a large estate, we want to work with you to realize the maximum value for the collection.
World-Class Auctions
With the expertise of over 25 specialists and the gravitational pull of over 60 auctions and events each year, Skinner attracts serious collectors, major dealers, institutional buyers, and retail purchasers worldwide. These bidders compete in a dynamic auction environment featuring in-person, phone and absentee bidding alongside live internet bidding. Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in a broad range of specialty collecting areas.
Skinner is the perfect partner for institutions looking to buy and sell fine objects of value.
Community Involvement and Special Events
Skinner professionals are available to share their expertise and promote interest in fine art, antiques, and other objects of value through private gallery walks in our Boston and Marlborough galleries, through speaking engagements, and through presentation of “What’s It Worth?” appraisal events. All of these formats are designed to both educate and entertain, and all have been used successfully by service-oriented organizations as client-appreciation events.
Skinner appraisers appear regularly on the PBS television series Antiques Roadshow, and broadcast and print media regularly seek out commentary from us on fine art, antiques, and the auction business.
For more information about a Skinner event for your clients, please email us or call 508-970-3240.
Contact Us
Bonhams Skinner
Institutional Relations
274 Cedar Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-970-3299
Fax: 508-970-3100
Auction Evaluations
How to Get an Auction Evaluation
With its reputation for integrity and its staff of expert specialists, Skinner delivers trusted, personal service and internationally competitive prices realized at auction. Our expert appraisers provide auction evaluations — verbal opinions of the value of your property — for free. There is no charge for an auction evaluation and no obligation to consign, but we take it on good faith that you are considering selling your property at auction.
Submit images for an auction evaluation online
Send in photographs by postal mail
How to get the most out of your auction evaluation
At Skinner, we offer attentive, personalized service and thoughtful, targeted marketing of your consignments. Our world-competitive prices mean that you can realize maximum value from your consignments. What’s special to you will be equally special to us.
Learn more about selling with Skinner
Contact Us
Appraisal Services
274 Cedar Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-970-3299
Fax: 508-970-3100
Email: evaluations@skinnerinc.com
Museums & Institutions
Museum & Institutional Services
Skinner brings to market fine art and antiques of museum quality, evaluated and curated by our world-renowned experts. We partner with museums, historical societies, educational and non-profit institutions to assist you in meeting your collecting and organizational goals. Improve the quality and value of your collections with Skinner’s appraisal, acquisition, and deaccession services.
With expertise in numerous specialty areas, Skinner provides services for a broad range of material. We understand the goals and concerns of non-profit institutions, and offer favorable pricing structures and terms along with the assurance that your transactions will be handled with discretion. The Skinner name and reputation will add value to your consignments.
Deaccession Services
Skinner works directly with museum curators and directors, offering confidential and personal assistance with deaccession and collections management. We take an individual approach to every organization we serve, tailoring our services to meet your needs.
Skinner accepts single items, groups, or entire collections. Wherever possible, we work proactively with museum staff to reduce consignment costs. We host over 60 auctions and events each year on a rotating schedule, giving you ample time to make important consignment decisions.
Cataloging & Collections Consultation
Each of Skinner’s expert appraisers has made a name for him or herself in a specialized field. Our department directors have 32 years of experience on average, with expertise in areas ranging from American, European, Asian, and American Indian works of art to fine jewelry and scientific instruments.
We’re always happy to provide assistance identifying, cataloging, or researching the rare and valuable in your collection. View a list of Skinner specialty departments.
Donation Appraisals
Skinner offers Fair Market Value Appraisals for donation and tax purposes. Skinner will guide patrons or institutions seeking assistance with charitable donations through the donation appraisal process.
All Skinner appraisals are compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Skinner charges a fair and competitive fee for written appraisal services. Auction evaluations are available free of charge.
Contact our Appraisal Services team at 508-970-3299 to discuss the charges for a written appraisal or to set up an appointment, as the item will need to be seen in person.
World-Class Auctions
With the expertise of over 25 specialists and the gravitational pull of over 60 auctions and events each year, Skinner attracts serious collectors, major dealers, institutional buyers, and retail purchasers worldwide. These bidders compete in a dynamic auction environment featuring in-person, phone and absentee bidding alongside live internet bidding. Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in a broad range of specialty collecting areas.
Skinner is the perfect partner for institutions looking to buy and sell fine objects of value.
Contact Us
Bonhams Skinner
Institutional Services
274 Cedar Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-970-3299
Fax: 508-970-3100