ARC staff can offer professional appraisal services for music collections of all sizes and mediums, from all eras and cultures.
We can work with both catalogued or unorganized materials, creating an overview of your holdings and a fair market appraisal for insurance purposes, estate planning, donation or the IRS.
Appraisals usually involve a visit to visibly inspect the materials, cataloging a large random representative sample, provide accurate fair market or insurance value for the sample, give an informed estimated value for the entire collection, and provide a professional document for you to attach to any insurance, sales, donation or tax form. We follow guidelines established by The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
B.George and Fred Patterson bring 30 years of experience working with collections, with the backing of the ARChive of Contemporary Music. We can also help you find an appraiser if you are considering donating to the ARC or any other institution. Please note that by law we cannot appraise materials that you are considering donating to the ARC.
If interested in ARC making an appraisal please make a formal request, and send an overview of the material, location of the recordings and your time frame. We’ll send along a simple contract and a request for a deposit and travel expenses, if any.
We can also clean, organize, electronically catalog and archivally preserve your collection, along with providing scans of cover art – any and all services to preserve the music you love.
Please note: While we are not permitted to appraise materials donated to us, we will help you find a reputable appraiser. We have used and trusted Scott Neuman (East coast) and Stephen M.H. Braitman, ASA. (West coast). Professional organizations include the American Society of Appraisers, and The Appraisers Association of America. Make sure the appraiser specializes in sound recordings.