Appraiser says field is often misunderstood

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 1:12 PM EST
E-mail this story | Printable Version

By Martha Barksdale

Fayette Neighbor News Editor

Valerie Hale was working in the computer field when she and her family moved to Peachtree City in 1997. A few years later, she was fed up with the high-tech world and began a new career in the world of antiques.

She started out buying and selling on eBay and at the Lakewood Antiques Market, then got a booth in Atlanta. Now she is utilizing her love of research and intellectual pursuits as an antiques appraiser, a field that is often misunderstood, she said.

"It's not what you see on 'Antiques Roadshow'," Ms. Hale said. "I can't just look at something and immediately come out with all this information and a price. It takes time and research to do an appraisal. I love what I do and part of my job is to educate people about my profession."

Ms. Hale, an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers, earned the designation through education and testing. She continues to further her knowledge through courses in various parts of the country.

In addition to satisfying one's curiosity about a treasured heirloom or an interesting garage sale find, Ms. Hale said there are many reasons to obtain a professional appraisal. What she produces is a written legal document that will be accepted in court if necessary. She can provide appraisals for insurance purposes, help senior citizens who are downsizing and help families settle estates. Accredited appraisers are bound by a code of ethics. They should not offer to buy anything they are appraising, and they should not base their fee on the value of the items being appraised, Ms. Hale said.

Antiques have always been part of Ms. Hale's life. "I started out digging bottles with my mother in Savannah. I was about 7 years old, and she'd get me up on Saturdays and we'd go out to old lots and dig for bottles. Then it was estate sales and antique stores. Savannah was a great place for antiques," she said.

Ms. Hale's interests cover a broad spectrum of eras and items. In her living room, a Biedermeier sofa from the early 1800s reigns supreme. A nearby bookcase is filled with dozens of tiny Wade's Whimsies, small pottery figurines that date from the last half of the 20th century. An old pie safe with a punched tin front holds assorted treasures.

This spring, Ms. Hale will be teaching classes through the Peachtree City Recreation Department at The Gathering Place. Topics will include antique furniture, the changing world of antiques and collectibles and why a professional appraisal may be necessary. On May 1, she'll host an appraisal session and provide on the spot assessments of items the class participants bring.

For more information on the classes, visit www.peachtree-city.org or call (770) 631-2525. For more information on Ms. Hale and her business, visit www.iappraise4u.com.