Appraisal Services
“What is it worth?” Know it before you decide.
There are many moments in life when it helps to know what something is worth. An appraisal from Bloch Bauers gives you a careful understanding of your item or collection, whether you are planning to insure, sell, settle an estate, divide assets, donate, or simply understand what you own.
Why you may need an appraisal
The right type of appraisal depends on the purpose. Insurance, estate planning, resale, donation, and personal knowledge can each require a different approach, and the value may not be the same in every situation.
Insurance Coverage
Understand replacement value for insurance purposes, documentation, or policy updates.
Estate Planning & Settlement
Get a clearer picture of value when handling inherited artwork, coins, collectibles, or a family collection.
Equitable Distribution
Useful when items need to be divided fairly, including divorce, dissolution of a partnership, or family estate matters.
Selling Decisions
Before selling a single piece or an entire collection, an appraisal can help you understand what you have and what path may make sense.
Donation Planning
For charitable donation planning, we can help determine whether a written valuation or further specialist documentation may be needed.
Personal Knowledge
Sometimes you simply want to know what something is, where it fits, and what it may be worth.
Trusted, Credentialed Expertise close to Home.
Appraisals are carried out by Joey, an accredited Canadian Personal Property Appraiser (CPPA) with the Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group, who also holds a Certificate of Achievement from the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association for completing its Coin Grading and Preservation Workshop.
Joey also owns North Bay Stamp and Coin for the past ten years. That combination of formal accreditation and hands-on experience is uncommon in our region, and it means clients receive a careful, qualified assessment for art, coins, currency, and related collectibles without immediately sending pieces to a distant city.
What We Appraise
Careful assessment across several collecting areas.
Fine Art
We work with paintings, prints, framed works, and other fine art, with particular knowledge of Northern Ontario and Indigenous artists.
Coins & Currency
We assess coins, paper money, and related numismatic material, including individual pieces and larger collections.
Collectibles & Estates
We can review related personal property, inherited items, and estate collections. If something falls outside our area, we will tell you and recommend the next step where possible.
Clear fees before work begins.
No appraisal work begins until fees are quoted and agreed.
Appraisal fees depend on the number of items, the research required, the complexity of the work, and the type of report needed. We quote fees before any appraisal work begins, so you know the cost before moving forward.
In some cases, a verbal opinion may be enough. In other cases, a written appraisal report is the better choice. We will help you understand which option fits your situation.
Common questions
Do I need a written appraisal?
Not always. If you only want a general sense of value, a verbal opinion may be enough. If the appraisal is for insurance, estate, donation, legal, or formal planning purposes, a written report may be more appropriate.
Is an insurance value the same as a resale value?
No. Insurance, resale, estate, donation, and personal-use values can be different. The purpose of the appraisal matters, and we will discuss that with you before deciding what type of valuation is needed.
Can you appraise an entire collection?
Yes. We can review single items, small groups, or larger collections. For larger estates or collections, it is helpful to contact us first so we can understand the scope before arranging the appointment.
How long does an appraisal take?
Timing depends on the number of items, research required, and the type of report needed. Simple reviews may be quicker, while formal written appraisals or larger collections require more time. We will discuss timing before the work begins.
Do I need to bring paperwork or provenance?
Bring anything you have, including receipts, certificates, previous appraisals, artist information, family history, framing labels, auction records, or notes. Lack of paperwork does not always prevent an appraisal, but documentation can help.
Can you appraise from photos?
Photos can be useful for an initial conversation, but many items need to be seen in person before a reliable opinion or written appraisal can be provided. Condition, surface, signatures, framing, and details often matter.
Do you buy the items you appraise?
Appraisal and selling services are discussed separately. If you later decide to sell, we can talk about consignment or auction options, but the appraisal process is meant to help you make an informed decision.
What happens if the item is outside your area?
If an item requires a different specialist, we will tell you. It is better to give a clear referral than to force an opinion where another expert would be more appropriate.
How do I begin?
Email contact@blochbauersgallery.ca or call (705) 223-9898. Tell us what you have, why you need the appraisal, and whether there are deadlines or documents involved.