Services

Appraisals. We provide comprehensive appraisal services with expertise in most areas of historical Americana – ranging from autographs and manuscripts to rare books and vintage photography. We have experience in handling a vast range of material culture – important historical records and artifacts held by public museums and archives; desirable collectibles sought by collectors and dealers alike. We are nationally recognized Americana specialists with appraisals commissioned by such institutions as the Library of Congress and the New York Historical Society. Our appraisals have been cited in several legal proceedings, made part of the public record, and have never been challenged. We can assist in just about any need; from a single item to be evaluated to an entire collection requiring formal appraisal for private brokerage or insurance purposes.

Consultation. We offer a range of consulting services for institutional and private clients. We counsel institutions desirous of acquiring items that expand the scope of their holdings, as well as deaccession guidance to ensure the quality and direction of any archival collection. We assist private clients in building their personal collections, and provide a well-established network of options for collectors who wish to sell an item, or their entire collection. Our extensive knowledge of the market allows us to place material in the most advantageous venues to realize maximum value. We also offer collections-processing services, organizing archives and small groups in preparation for purchase, sale or donation.

We have handled numerous important collections including:
The Perlin Collection of Presidential Papers (the largest private manuscript collection of American political papers ever assembled)
The papers of Robert Todd Lincoln’s personal attorney that included images of the long-lost “Mary Lincoln insanity” letters
The private diaries of General George B. McClellan, no on deposit at the Library of Congress
The largest privately assembled collection of daguerrotypes to focus on New York and Mathew Brady subjects
The legendary Shelter Island collection of Western history, an archive of photography, manuscript and printed Americana
Several Civil War and Abraham Lincoln archives of national import – a vast number of documents, artifacts and relics now placed with leading museums around the country.

Cataloging. We supply expert cataloging services for auction houses and dealers requiring anything from simple descriptions to involved research of provenance and collateral history.

Representation. We act as agent for those seeking auction representation. In this capacity we examine lots, authenticate and evaluate possible purchases and bid on behalf of clients at major auction houses in New York and across the country.

Sales. We purchase and privately sell historical Americana at auction, via private sale, and though our long-standing presence on eBay. We encourage collectors to forward want-lists so that we can keep you abreast of new material as it becomes available.