Mark Secrest Appraisals 202.718.2521 washington, dc 917.268.7477 new york
mark secrest
fmr. senior member ASA
Mark Secrest Appraisals 202.718.2521 washington, dc 917.268.7477 new york
mark secrest
fmr. senior member ASA
About Mark
Mark is an Honours graduate of the Study Centre for the History of the Fine and Decorative Arts, Victoria & Albert Museum, London England.
And 49 years of providing reliable appraisal service for English, Continental, American and Indo-Chinese art, works of art, antique furniture, decorative arts, silver, porcelains, Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities and all manner of residential contents.
Mark served in the Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama White House Administrations and was appointed by former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty to the Board of Appraisers, District of Columbia Licensing and Regulatory Commission.
He is an acknowledged expert in Circuit Courts, District Courts, Federal Court, Tax Court, Bankruptcy Court and his lower courts transcripts admitted in United State Court of Appeals.
Mark continues to act on behalf of clients who donate or lend artworks for exhibition to the Phillips Collection, Smithsonian Institute, Freer Gallery of Art, Austin City Museum of Modern Art, Colonial Williamsburg, South Carolina Historical Society and other public and private museums across the United States.
Valuation Services
(the best bit)
Beyond a professional opinion of value everyone has a purpose for wanting an appraisal. Those who are unfamiliar with or infrequent users of appraisal services are often at a loss as to how best to use it to advance their purposes.
One example is those who inherit an estate and are overwhelmed by the task of sorting out articles for posterity, make equitable family distribution, sell or make charitable donations.
This requires knowledge of the "benefits and drawbacks" of every resource at one's disposal.
Not to worry, Mark has decades of experience and many resources to assist
with every aspect from appraisal to estate settlement.
(and more)
Mark's broad experience and expertise carry over to conservation and restoration. Not only the extent of conservation and restoration but consideration of the materials used, combined or separate that may irreversibly compromise a piece's authenticity, hence, its market value.
Mark offers expert consultations conservation and restorations and trustworthy conservator resources.
Moreover, every appraisal report contains a summary condition finding which is addressed in the Condition Section.
Valuation Services, cont.
(forthright)
a good thing
To satisfy market participant needs Mark offers a complementary remote "walk-through." It is beneficial for those considering engaging his valuation services, he separates valuable from marginal, and it serves to reduce later hourly examination costs.
Also, it gives a reliable appraisal cost estimate and establishes good client rapport.
A "walk through" is with no prior or subsequent commitments to engage Mark's valuation services and is by request.
Mark is fee based and does ask for commissions, gratuities or other compensations. There are no added fees over and above the initial quoted appraisal fee.
The hourly fee for Valuation Services is $225 an hour with a one-hour minimum after which it is by quarter hour increments of $56.25.
The fee includes an initial consultation, the examination, current sales data analysis, formal appraisal report and subsequent consultations, without limits or time constraints until a client's purpose of an appraisal is satisfactorily met.
Estates, collections or individual items may be examined at your residence, other location(s.) or may be remotely examined.
%20(1).jpeg/:/cr=t:16.16%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:67.68%25/rs=w:800,h:400,cg:true)
What You need to Know
Many are unaware (that) art and antiques appraisers are not required to be licensed, certified or accredited by federal or state boards. There are professional appraisal organizations that award
their own titled designations.
(of overriding importance)
The conduct and ethics of art and antiques appraisers, Mark included, should always be considered by those contemplating
their services.
Mark encourages everyone to ask for trusted referrals, read appraiser reviews and most importantly, request a resume and sample appraisal report.
A professional appraiser should not be offended, reluctant or resistant to provide both.
Be Forwarned
One pitfall for laypersons is dealers who also appraise and may have a contemplated future interest in a piece which is the subject of their appraisal.
The reason being the possibility of bias as there may be anticipation of future financial gain above and beyond their appraisal fee.
Bias is evident when a dealer-appraiser gives an opinion of value and then makes an offer, buys or takes on consignment a piece at a price equal to or very close to their opinion of value. It is a questionable scenario.
The Appraisal Process
Appraisals should contain a number of headings. SCOPE, CONDITION, VALUATION METHODOLOGY, the REPORT and SIGNATURE, the appraiser accepts full responsibility for content, conclusions, opinions and final opinion of value.
Appraisal reports should demonstrate two material elements, CREDIBILITY, factual demonstrable throughout the report. COMPETENCY, statement of adherence to Report Writing Criteria and Code of Ethics as defined by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP.)
Of utmost importance is that an appraiser must bring the reader of their appraisal report to the same conclusions and final opinion of value as themselves.
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:1.27%25,w:97.45%25,h:100%25/rs=w:600,h:800,cg:true)
Contact Mark
FOR IMMEDIAITE SAME DAY REPLY PLEASE EMAIL or use the courtesy EMAIL FORM BELOW
(recommended)
by telephone
202.718.2521 main
917.268.7477
Mark looks forward to being of assistance to everyone who pleases to engage his Valuation Services.
by appointment
