| Public Library Art Collection |
| In 2002, MIR Appraisal Services was contracted to appraise the art collection at an Illinois public library. The library boasts a rich local history, established in the early 1900’s with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, it has been operating as an art exhibition space since that time. The works in the collection were all donated by members of a working artists’ group active in the area at the turn of the century. The group was comprised of an impressive cast of early 20th century landscape and portrait painters as well as sculptors. Various works in the collection are on rotating loan at the Art Institute of Chicago and a number of high profile national galleries. |
| MIR advised this client on over seventy works, researching and expertly evaluating insurance coverage for both individual pieces as well as the collection as a whole. MIR additionally oversaw the restoration and conservation process for many of the works, presenting new findings on the history and provenance of several pieces, all of which were previously researched and documented by the collection’s curator. |
| The library is now equipped with the knowledge and distinction they had sought as well as the understanding of how to best serve their collection and its legacy. With MIR’s combination of art historical and market knowledge, as well as a keen understanding of the insurance needs of fine art, the client was assured that their collection had been evaluated and protected in the most capable means available. |
| Campanile Estate |
| The Campanile Gallery in Chicago was the primary dealer of American and Continental fine art in the Midwest up until the death of it’s owner in 1997. MIR handled the probate and estate liquidation case for the gallery which housed over 1,500 paintings. We worked within the public art market and private markets of individual collectors on a local, national, and international level to achieve 100% liquidation of the entire estate collection. The client expressed complete satisfaction with the work performed, and enlisted MIR to additionally direct the appraisal and liquidation of a number of fine decorative items in Ms. Campanile’s private collection thereafter. |
| Individual Claim – Fire Damage |
| A house fire can be devastating to a family’s morale, not to mention livelihood. In cases of claim coverage for damaged personal property, insurance companies and appraisers alike must have as their utmost priority the careful consideration of the client’s needs. In a particular case in late 2003, our clients were victims of a fire that left nearly all of their antique furniture and some works of art with considerable smoke, water, mold and mildew damage. They sought our help in identifying and valuating important pieces about which they knew very little. Many of the pieces had been in the family for years and had gone without documentation for multiple generations. We worked closely with the clients’ insurance adjuster to come to a fair and acceptable claim valuation. Since that time we have had repeated business with the adjuster herself and with many of her referrals, MIR developed a long-term, valued partnership with this insurance professional. We are now her exclusive appraisal reference for all of her personal property clientele. |
