Artprice
Contains over 4 million auction entries from over 2,900 auction houses worldwide. The database includes all auction listings regardless of attribution and price.
Types of material covered: Auction activity for houses covered
Dates covered: Sales back to 1987
Access note: Available in the reading room; available to AIC and SAIC staff on campus
askART
Contains biographical information, auction records, museum holdings, and images from 7,500 museums, dealers, and auction houses worldwide.
Types of material covered: Images, biographies, and auction records
Dates covered: Sales back to 1987
Access note: Available in the reading room; available to AIC and SAIC staff with your ARTIC login information
Invaluable (formerly Artfact)
Provides unedited auction information on over 4 million items sold from more than 250 major auction houses worldwide. Many records are illustrated.
Types of material covered: Auction activity for houses covered
Dates covered: 1993–Present
Access note: Reference desk access only
This is just a sample of professional membership organizations and Chicago-area businesses involved in appraisals. The Art Institute of Chicago does not endorse any particular appraisal organization and has no information about the cost or the quality of services provided by the entities listed below.
All of these societies offer “Find An Appraiser” tools online.
American Society of Appraisers
To find an appraiser who specializes in your type of object and is in your area, contact the national office at (800) ASA-VALU or (800) 272-8258, email the ASA at asainfo@appraisers.org, or search the ASA website.
Appraisers Association of America
The Appraisers Association of America is a national association of personal and property appraisers. Check the website, call 212-889-5404, or email the AAA at referrals@appraisersassociation.org for information on how to receive a referral to an appraiser.
International Society of Appraisers
The International Society of Appraisers is a Chicago-based association of professional property appraisers in the United States and Canada. Their website contains information about locating an appraiser and questions that you should ask an appraiser. You can also contact the ISA by phone at (312) 981-6778 or email at isa@isa-appraisers.org.
Art Dealers Association of America
The Art Dealers Association of America makes appraisals for tax purposes only—for donations to non-profit organizations or for estate tax valuations. For other types of appraisals the ADAA will either refer you directly to an ADAA member or another professional appraisal association. For more information, call (212) 488-5550 or email the ADAA at appraisals@artdealers.org.
For a fee, all of the businesses listed below provide written appraisals for insurance, estate tax, and charitable donations. Please contact the businesses directly to inquire about rates and procedures. The Art Institute of Chicago does not endorse any particular appraiser and has no information about the cost or the quality of services provided by the entities listed below.
Christie’s Appraisal Services
875 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 3810
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: (312) 787-2765
Fax: (312) 951-7449
Heritage Auctions Appraisal Services
215 West Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Tel: (312) 260-7220
Fax: (312) 951-7449
Leslie Hindman Appraisal Services
1338 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Tel: (312) 280-1212
Fax: (312) 280-1211
MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.
307 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel: (312) 814-8510
Fax: (312) 814-8511
Email: info@mirappraisal.com
Sotheby’s Appraisal Services
980 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1815
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: (312) 475-7900
Fax: (312) 664-5295
Email: chicago@sothebys.com
Straus Art Group
230 East Ohio Street, Suite 610
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: (773) 769-1997
Email: info@straus-art.com
Susanin’s Appraisal Services
900 South Clinton Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Tel: (312) 832-9800
Fax: (312) 832-9311
Email: info@susanins.com
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers Appraisal Services
818 North Boulevard
Oak Park, IL 60301
Tel: (708) 383-5234
Fax: (708) 383-4828
Email: info@toomeyco.com
American Institute for Conservation
The American Institute for Conservation provides a wealth of information on caring for your collections of artwork and decorative arts objects. If these DIY resources are not sufficient, the association also provides a useful Find a Conservator tool as well as a guide to hiring a conservation professional.
The Northeast Document Conservation Center
The Northeast Document Conservation Center provides free resources on caring for your collections of works on paper. The NEDCC, located in Andover, MA, also provides conservation treatments for a fee.
