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Appraisal Articles

Insights on antiques, jewelry, and the appraisal process

Navigating the Minefield: Common Ethical Dilemmas for Personal Property Appraisers

Navigating the Minefield: Common Ethical Dilemmas for Personal Property Appraisers

The phone rings, and it’s Mrs. Gable. She’s inherited her grandmother’s exquisite Victorian mourning brooch, a piece she cherishes for sentimental reasons. She’s not looking...

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Jessica Rickman
Feb 03, 2026
Bakelite's Hidden Treasures: Unearthing High-Value Carvings and Figural Masterpieces

Bakelite's Hidden Treasures: Unearthing High-Value Carvings and Figural Masterpieces

Imagine stumbling upon a dusty box in your grandmother’s attic, filled with what looks like old, brightly colored plastic bangles and brooches. You might dismiss...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 30, 2026
Treasures of the Hunt: Collecting Vintage Tennessee Hunting Licenses and Tags

Treasures of the Hunt: Collecting Vintage Tennessee Hunting Licenses and Tags

The scent of aged paper and faded ink, a whisper of past adventures. Imagine finding a small, brittle envelope tucked away in a dusty attic...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 27, 2026
Beyond the Scars: Methodologies and Ethical Imperatives in Damaged Item Appraisal

Beyond the Scars: Methodologies and Ethical Imperatives in Damaged Item Appraisal

A delicate porcelain doll, its bisque face marred by a hairline fracture that runs from its rosy cheek to its tiny chin, sits on my...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 23, 2026
The Ticking Heart of Time: Unveiling the Allure of Antique Pocket Watches

The Ticking Heart of Time: Unveiling the Allure of Antique Pocket Watches

Imagine walking into a dusty antique shop, the air thick with the scent of aged wood and forgotten stories. Your fingers brush against a velvet-lined...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 22, 2026
Middle Tennessee Carnival Glass: Unearthing Rare Patterns

Middle Tennessee Carnival Glass: Unearthing Rare Patterns

I remember a call from a gentleman named Arthur, who’d inherited his grandmother’s attic treasures. He’d sifted through dusty boxes, convinced he had nothing of...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 20, 2026
USPAP Mastery: Navigating the Standards for Personal Property Appraisers

USPAP Mastery: Navigating the Standards for Personal Property Appraisers

I remember a call from Ms. Henderson, a lovely woman in her late seventies, who was devastated. Her late husband’s pocket watch, a family heirloom...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 16, 2026
Savor the Southern Hearth: Vintage Tennessee Cast Iron & Griswold Treasures

Savor the Southern Hearth: Vintage Tennessee Cast Iron & Griswold Treasures

Imagine walking into your grandmother’s kitchen, the scent of simmering stew still faintly clinging to the air. On the stove sits a heavy, black skillet,...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 09, 2026
Unlocking the Value: A Comprehensive Guide to Appraising Charm Bracelets and Their Tiny Treasures

Unlocking the Value: A Comprehensive Guide to Appraising Charm Bracelets and Their Tiny Treasures

I remember a client, Mrs. Gable, who brought in a tarnished silver charm bracelet. It had belonged to her grandmother, a woman she’d only known...

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Jessica Rickman
Jan 06, 2026