Novotny has over 30 years of experience with many types of personal property
William Novotny, a generalist antiques and personal property appraiser, has bought, sold and valued most types of personal property, fine arts and antiques for over 30 years. Since 1979 he has been a major Los Angeles antiques and personal property dealer, an estate sale agent and an appraiser.
This range of experience is necessary for the general personal property and antiques appraiser to properly identify an object and its relevant value characteristics.
The universe of personal property (all tangible, movable objects)
Generalist appraisers are frequently called upon to appraise many types of objects made from many types of materials that have come from throughout historical time (antique, vintage, contemporary) and geological time (fossils, meteorites, rock specimens etc.) and from all the continents and countries of the earth. The universe of personal property types and objects is incredibly broad and requires careful judgment of the appraiser regarding competency.
The types of objects typically found in a home includes, but is not limited to:
vehicles, machinery, instruments, equipment, tools, appliances, sporting goods, furniture, ceramics, glass, ephemera, textiles, jewelry, fine art and collectibles. Objects can be made from or be a type of:
fired metals:
gold, sterling silver & plate, bronze, copper, iron, steel, pewter and lead
fired clays:
porcelain, pottery, earthenware, stoneware, redware, etc.
fired glass:
blown or molded glass or crystal of utilitarian or artistic value
fine art:
paintings, sculpture, prints, collage
decorative art:
lamps, antique furniture, wall coverings, floor coverings, accessories, etc.
woven textiles:
rugs, carpets, tapestries, quilts, samplers, linens, lace, clothing etc.
ephemera:
books, comics, magazines, manuscripts, autographs, photographs, etc.
cultural objects (for ritual or daily use):
Native American, Oceanic, Asian, European, African, Mexican, South American, European, folk art, carvings
military objects:
uniforms, patches, medals, weapons, firearms, etc.
instruments:
navigation, medical, scientific, cameras, clocks, barometers, music boxes, recorded music players, musical instruments, pianos, automatons, patent models, discovery, etc.
collectables:
rare records, dolls, toys, fishing items, firearms, swords, knives, tools, advertising, sporting, limited edition objects, figurines, etc.
common and ordinary household contents:
furniture, appliances, tools, sporting goods, electronics, exercise equipment, kitchenware, etc.
This short list of the types of objects found in household contents appraisals by Novotny is just a sample; in the real world of objects this list is nearly endless.
General knowledge and experience are necessary
Clearly no person can possess the knowledge to appraise all objects. Yet there is a need for an appraiser that can embrace an appraisal assignment in which any of these various types of objects could be present. Novotny has bought, sold, collected or appraised the types of objects in the above list. He will not appraise an object unless he can do it credibly.
Novotny has substantial knowledge and experience with property types such as these. He has bought, sold, studied or appraised many such objects that are antique, contemporary or modern repeatedly over the past 30 years. Not a day passes without personal study of the characteristics of a property type or market activity for a property type relevant to appraisals.
Expert consultation, when necessary or significant, must be disclosed
Novotny will frequently consult with a specialist for a property type to
confirm a value,
confirm the identification of the item, or
confirm that the relevant value characteristic have been considered, and
confirm the likely response of market participants to the object in the market.
If such consultation is only confirming then no disclosure is required since he had the knowledge and experience to complete the valuation credibly.
Some property types, such as stamps or fine jewelry, cannot be completed credibly by Novotny. He may still include such property in his appraisal report, but the report will always disclose and explain if significant assistance from the expert was necessary to develop credible assignment results. An additional consultant's fee may be required.
The guidelines for ethical and competent performance are published in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Novotny teaches USPAP throughout the country and carefully fulfills the requirements of the COMPETENCY RULE of USPAP for every property and for every assignment.
Object and market knowledge and experience, coupled with careful market research in the relevant market for a subject property, are core components of competency and necessary for credible valuation. Standard appraisal methods and techniques are often sufficient to credibly answer many value questions; if not then disclosure of the expertise that is deficient is required, along with an explanation of the remedy.
Visit about us and his CV, on this website to see how Novotny acquired the knowledge and experience necessary to appraise these many personal property object types.
Learn more about the client's intended uses for a Novotny appraisal.
To find out more about Novotny's Appraisal Services visit his HOME PAGE now.
