We provide appraisal services for individual collectors, museums, archives, foundations, art advisors, the insurance industry and other financial professionals. We perform inspection, provide evaluation and generate USPAP compliant appraisal reports for purposes of insurance, damage and loss, estate tax and planning, collateral loans and equitable distribution.
insurance coverage: identifying proper coverage for works and to assess damage or loss claims.
estate tax and tax planning: for estate settlement, market research and analysis of for trusts, foundations and estate planning.
non cash charitable contribution: donations of art valued at $5000 or more require a comprehensive evaluation including market analysis, comparable sales history and a signed and executed IRS form 8283. see IRS publication 561 for detailed information about qualified appraisals.
equitable distribution: for divorce, dissolution of business or other partnerships.
collateral loans: to aid in further acquisitions, to fund non art investments or as a strategy to assist in liquidity.
all appraisals conform to the 2018-2019 uniform standard of appraisal practice (USPAP) as set forth by the appraisal foundation who are authorized by congress as the source of appraisals standards and appraiser qualifications.
Jason A. Christian has been actively engaged in the fine art photography market for over two decades. He handled thousands of photographs during his tenure at the Weston Gallery in Carmel, California and continues to consult for collectors, curators, dealers and auction houses. In 2007 he established Christian | Reilly and has been appraising full time ever since.
He holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz and an M.A. from Dartmouth College. Additionally, he attended the Appraisers Association of America's affiliated program for fine and decorative arts at New York University. he is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America, the highest level of membership representing appraisers who have the most extensive level of expertise, education and experience in appraising fine and decorative art. He maintains a current Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice certification.
Since 2004, he has appraised photographs for clients including the estates of Ansel Adams, Brett Weston, Cole Weston, Ernst Haas, Pirkle Jones, and Yousuf Karsh and institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Stanford University, Rhode Island School of Design, The Center for Creative Photography, The University of California, Berkeley, The University of California, Santa Cruz, The Palm Springs Museum of Art, The Crocker Art Museum, among others.
Auction Services:
for buyers: Available to preview works for sale at most major photography auction houses (Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips de Pury). Full pre sale research and analysis and in person acquisition assistance is also available.
for sellers: Conduct appropriate market research, contract review and execution, packing and transportation of works to auction.
Collection Management:
Provide cataloging, archive preparation and maintenance, database development and implementation, conservation evaluation and rights management.
Curatorial Services:
Exhibition development and coordination, marketing and publicity, book and catalog production, matting and framing and shipping assistance also available.