I have an antique Pipe Stand with a burnt stamp on the back 'Chapman made in Italy.' It has a large amount of worm holes and is very unique. I've only seen one other online stamped 'Chapman Made in SPAIN.' I would like to know more about this piece, its history, and its approximate value to be insured.

October 16th, 2023

I have some gold trimmed, stemmed dessert glasses & goblets that belonged to my late mother, and a gold trimmed small oval dish made in the German Democratic Republic. The dish has a crest with the letter 'R', and the glassware has a wide gold band with scrollwork around the top, a thin gold band under the wider band, and a gold band around the stem base. What is the worth of these items?

April 26th, 2023

I have a Bru doll that was originally my grandmother's and was restrung and repainted in the 1960s. It has original clothes, including leather shoes in mint condition, but now needs restringing and has a hairline crack on the cheek. I was told it could be worth $20-30,000 by a former Sotheby's appraiser, but an auction house recently estimated it at $200-300. Why is there such a significant difference in value, and what factors should I consider when determining its worth?

February 23rd, 2023

I have a Civil War officer's desk (not a reproduction). I am trying to get a ballpark estimate of its worth for insurance purposes. The desk has been in the family for over 70 years, and my father, a collector and restorer of antiques, acquired it in Virginia and New York.

September 20th, 2024

I have several old postcards dated around 1924, including ones of St Joseph's Orphan's Home in Erie, PA, The Geitner Theatre in Silver Creek, NY, and The Dock @ Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. I am looking for someone near my 14736 zip code to appraise them and guide me on how to sell them. The stamp amounts on the postcards range from 1-3 cents. Is there any additional information that would be helpful for the appraiser?

June 23rd, 2024