When John*, a homeowner in the Phoenix area, discovered water damage to several pieces of artwork stored in his closet, he contacted me for a professional art appraisal. What started as an insurance requirement turned into a valuable process that helped him identify hidden assets, declutter his home, and earn over $20,000 from selling vintage art and collectibles.
Assessing Water-Damaged Artwork for an Insurance Claim
Upon visiting John’s home, he showed me a number of oil paintings, one of which was an old family portrait painted by a relative. Fortunately, the water damage was not extensive. Based on my experience with similar cases, I reassured him that art restoration was possible—and recommended a couple of local conservators I trust.
Before any restoration could begin, however, his home insurance company required a formal written art appraisal. I carefully inspected, measured, photographed, and documented the condition of each affected piece. After returning to my office, I conducted market research to identify comparable artworks and current fair market values, including any relevant buyer’s premiums or auction fees.
Discovering Forgotten Art, Antiques, and Collectibles
While I was on site, John asked me to evaluate a number of other items stored away in the back of the closet—some of which hadn’t been seen in years. These included:
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- Original paintings and signed prints
- Original paintings and signed prints
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- Gelatin silver photographic prints
- Gelatin silver photographic prints
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- Antique silver
- Antique silver
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- Vintage toys and family heirlooms
- Vintage toys and family heirlooms
Some items had belonged to John’s late wife, and he had forgotten they were even there. He was unsure of their value and wanted to know if it was worth the time to sell or consign them. I provided on-the-spot valuations for many items and took detailed photos and condition notes for the more complex pieces that required additional research.
Market Research and Valuation Back at the Office
At my office, I researched recent sales of comparable items, noting:
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- What similar items had sold for recently
- What similar items had sold for recently
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- Which platforms or auction houses achieved the highest prices
- Which platforms or auction houses achieved the highest prices
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- Which geographic markets performed best for certain categories
- Which geographic markets performed best for certain categories
This helped determine not just what John owned, but where and how he could achieve the best return if he chose to sell.
Results: A Win-Win Process for Insurance, Sales & Downsizing
With the formal written insurance appraisal report, John was able to move forward with his claim and restoration of damaged artworks. For the undamaged pieces, I compiled a spreadsheet of appraised values, along with selling options and restoration advice.
Here are a few highlights from John’s case:
🖼️ The Family Painting
A 19th-century painting—passed down through generations—had a puncture and decades of grime. Research revealed it was by a listed artist with current market values between $1,000 and $1,800. John opted to restore the piece, and it’s now proudly displayed in his living room.
🎨 Lower-Value Paintings
A few other paintings were worth several hundred dollars each. These were consigned to Bear & Raven, one of our trusted online art platforms, and sold quickly.
👪 Family Heirlooms
Some items held more sentimental than monetary value. John decided to gift several heirlooms to family members, creating lasting emotional value from forgotten objects.
📸 Rare Gelatin Silver Prints
Five gelatin silver photographic prints turned out to be by renowned photographers. I coordinated with a specialized fine art photography auction house, handled shipping and insurance, and the prints sold within the expected estimate range.
🚛 The Tonka Truck Surprise
A standout discovery was a 1957 Tonka Pressed Steel Big Mike Hydraulic Dump Truck in its original packaging. After research revealed strong collector demand, I sold it for over $2,000 via our eBay shop—far exceeding John’s expectations.
🗃️ Donated Items
A few items had little commercial value, and John chose to donate them to a local charity—a practical and generous outcome.
Final Takeaway: Knowledge is Value
Through this process, John achieved multiple goals:
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- Filed a successful insurance claim for water-damaged artwork
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- Discovered and sold valuable items that had been sitting in storage
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- Earned over $20,000 from forgotten collectibles
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- Got expert guidance without disrupting his busy work schedule
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- Reduced clutter and planned ahead for a future move into a smaller home
This case is a perfect example of how professional art and antique appraisal services can help homeowners:
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- Navigate insurance claims
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- Prepare for downsizing or estate planning
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- Unlock the hidden value in their collections
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- Sell rare and vintage items through the right channels
💡 Thinking About Selling or Insuring Your Art or Antiques?
If you have artwork, collectibles, or family heirlooms sitting in storage, I can help you understand their value, provide insurance-ready documentation, and connect you with the right venues for restoration or sale.
📍Serving Arizona, New Mexico and surrounding areas
📞 Contact me to schedule a consultation or appraisal visit.
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* Our client’s name and certain details have been changed in order to maintain confidentiality.
