Penrose Appraisals

01/30/2026

Online research has its place, but cannot provide a reliable fair market value for your treasures.

01/23/2026

I must admit, often times I see auction results that make me shake my head and say "I would never pay that much for that." But then there are sometimes when I say, wow, I wish I was part of that auction! See below. This sold for $3,120, which seems entirely reasonable to me. At 7' tall, how can you not like this?! (It is a reproduction, which diminishes its value a bit, but still - this would just make me happy to look at it every day!)

01/20/2026

So this is craftsmanship. This is why antiques are celebrated and collected. This high chest dates from the early 1700s. Made in Massachusetts, it's approx 66" x 39" x 22" All that weight supported on those six slender legs! For 300 years! No word on whether there have been any repairs. But, given that it recently sold for a whopping $46,740, there can't have been any significant ones.

01/17/2026

Thinking of selling or donating your antiques? Not sure about their worth? Discover why appraisals are crucial before making decisions. Learn about auction versus insurance values and what it means for you. Read more here: https://wix.to/nPMtp8H

If you are a fan of Antiques Roadshow, as I am, you may have noticed that sometimes the appraisers will give an "auction value" and then follow with "for insurance purposes" and then give a value that may be 20-25% higher (or more!). This is because there isn't just one value for a given object. Ins...

01/14/2026

Such a great example of how some items have crossover appeal. Folk art. Birds. Whimsical. 3-D art. Etc. Plus it's colorful! Sold for $6,250, well over the auction estimate.

01/13/2026

Just look at these babies! Just look at 'em. Obviously, not everyone would want these in their home. But still, you just have to admire the achievement here. Extraordinary. (And sold back in August for a mere $21,000 the pair....)

01/07/2026

Have you ever had to empty a household full of belongings? It's a tough but necessary task. Don't miss our tips on where to start and what to avoid. Read more here: https://wix.to/E6T7YAR

The Emotional and Practical RealityIt is a sad fact of life that many of us will have to face sooner or later. Mom and Dad will both eventually pass away or move into a senior living facility or there will otherwise be some major life change one consequence of which will be that a household full of....

01/05/2026

I've always admired tall case clocks (grandfather clocks). Too bad I now live in a home without any ceilings higher than about 6' 10". Not gonna fit any of these in!! (That, and I may not have $5,000 (what this clock sold for) to spare!)

01/02/2026

Discover what makes Art Deco antiques so valuable today! From stunning clocks to exquisite furniture, dive into the world of vintage and antique treasures! Learn more about recent sales and trends here: https://wix.to/m9oNkx4

Wait, is Art Deco considered antique? Well, one definition of antique is anything that is 100 years old or older. Art Deco refers to that style of classical, rectiliniar, symmetrical design that was developed and thrived in the years 1910 to 1035, reaching its high point between 1925 and 1935. So, y...

12/31/2025

Estate appraisals aren’t just about numbers.

They help families understand what they’re dealing with so decisions can be made thoughtfully—what to keep, what to sell, and what deserves special care. In the middle of an estate process, clarity often brings relief.

Good information makes difficult decisions easier.