Erie Art Museum

In response to your letter of 4/11/17, complaint ID [redacted] :The “customer” in this case, Ms***, is incorrect in several of her assertionsThe Erie Art Museum doesNOT offer appraisals, nor has it ever offered appraisalsAs a service to the public, the Museum, once amonth, offers an identification service, during which anyone can bring in an art object for identification.That process involves explaining what the art object is, an educated guess as to its age, cultural origin, etc.It does NOT involve setting a valueIt states clearly in several places on the Museum’s website: “TheMuseum does not offer appraisal services.”The ides that you can buy an appraisal for $is absurdAppraisal services typically have a minimumcharge, commonly $or more, and are based on the time and difficulty involved in determining themarket value of an artwork, as well as the time and difficulty involved in actually identifying and verifyingthe authenticity of the objects.Nor can one get an estimate for conservation work on a painting for $Through our Frame Shop, theMuseum works with a number of highly qualified, independent conservators who will, for a much moresubstantial fee, give an estimate of the cost of conservation, cleaning, restoration services for an object (afee that is deducted from the cost of services if the client decides to proceed with the work)I am not aivareof any capable conservator who gives free estimates,for the same reason that attorneys do not give freeadviceTheir knowledge and their time are their stock in tradeThey cannot make a living by giving itaway.I explained this all to Ms***, who was bound and determined that I give her a value for her artwork andthat I tell her how much it would cost to restore itI told her it would no doubt cost more than $to dothe work on her painting, but I had no idea how much moreI did NOT tell her that her painting was worth$5,000—and I assure you that it is notAlthough I do not do appraisals, I do, of course, have some sense ofthe relative value of the objectI tell people if I feel that the work merits paying someone for an appraisal.If I recall this situation correctly (I look at a lot of things for people every month), the reason Ms [redacted] feelsher painting is valuable is that her mother painted itBecause she continued to insist that it is valuable, Igave her the name of a local art appraiser (who charges actual money to do appraisals.) Perhaps her nextcomplaint will involve that appraiser

In response to your letter of 4/11/17, complaint ID [redacted]:The “customer” in this case, Ms. [redacted], is incorrect in several of her assertions. The Erie Art Museum doesNOT offer appraisals, nor has it ever offered appraisals. As a service to the public, the Museum, once amonth, offers an...

identification service, during which anyone can bring in an art object for identification.That process involves explaining what the art object is, an educated guess as to its age, cultural origin, etc.It does NOT involve setting a value. It states clearly in several places on the Museum’s website: “TheMuseum does not offer appraisal services.”The ides that you can buy an appraisal for $10 is absurd. Appraisal services typically have a minimumcharge, commonly $100 or more, and are based on the time and difficulty involved in determining themarket value of an artwork, as well as the time and difficulty involved in actually identifying and verifyingthe authenticity of the objects.Nor can one get an estimate for conservation work on a painting for $10. Through our Frame Shop, theMuseum works with a number of highly qualified, independent conservators who will, for a much moresubstantial fee, give an estimate of the cost of conservation, cleaning, restoration services for an object (afee that is deducted from the cost of services if the client decides to proceed with the work). I am not aivareof any capable conservator who gives free estimates,for the same reason that attorneys do not give freeadvice. Their knowledge and their time are their stock in trade. They cannot make a living by giving itaway.I explained this all to Ms. [redacted], who was bound and determined that I give her a value for her artwork andthat I tell her how much it would cost to restore it. I told her it would no doubt cost more than $500 to dothe work on her painting, but I had no idea how much more. I did NOT tell her that her painting was worth$5,000—and I assure you that it is not. Although I do not do appraisals, I do, of course, have some sense ofthe relative value of the object. I tell people if I feel that the work merits paying someone for an appraisal.If I recall this situation correctly (I look at a lot of things for people every month), the reason Ms. [redacted] feelsher painting is valuable is that her mother painted it. Because she continued to insist that it is valuable, Igave her the name of a local art appraiser (who charges actual money to do appraisals.) Perhaps her nextcomplaint will involve that appraiser.