The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Jun/July/August 2018

www.theconnectionsnj.com We Sell Fence Materials For THE DO-IT- YOURSELFER We Install All Of Our Fences CUSTOM BUILT CEDAR FENCES BUILT ON SITE RESIDENTIAL 3-YEAR WARRANTY ON WORKMANSHIP & MATERIALS NJ HIC #13VH02698700 Open: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday 9am-3pm 100 Dukes Parkway East • Hillsborough 908-722-9975 Fax: 908-722-9976 www.yorkfence.com Custom Cedar Fences, Fence Repairs, Vinyl, Aluminum, Iron & Chainlink Fencing, Handrails, Automatic Gate Operators Any Order of $ 1,000 or more Cannot be combined. Must present coupon at time of sale. Limited time offer. Expires 8/30/18. $ 100 OFF CONNMAG09 ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS Whether you’re downsizing or have just acquired a cherished piece of history, at some point you are going to be curious about its value. As an appraiser of fine and decorative art, I’ve been researching personal property for nearly thirty years, and although I haven’t seen it all, I have a trained, expert eye and a ton of experience. This Connections column is the first installment of what I hope will be many, and I’m here to provide detailed infor- mation and valuations of your special finds or precious possessions. So please reach out and share your photos with us. It’s especially important to know the value of your possessions prior to selling them in the open market, as I’m sure you’ve heard of the recent long lost Rembrandt that was discov- ered in the basement of a Teaneck home. While cleaning out their mother’s home after she’d passed away, brothers Ned, Roger and Steven Landau noticed an old painting under a ping pong table. They decided to hold a garage sale to sell some items, and others - including this painting - were taken to a local auction. Unbeknownst to them and their cho- sen auctioneer, this rare painting by Rembrandt entitled ‘The Unconscious Patient’ was one of the Dutch artist’s earliest works from the 1600s. Unfortunately, the painting was incorrectly catalogued as a “19th Century European School painting” with a presale esti- mate of $600-$800. Surprisingly, the hammer fell at $1.1 million, later selling for $4 million, costing the original owners close to 80% of the ultimate profit. Concrete proof that, being in the know before your precious possession sells is always to your advantage. Not long ago a client brought me an oil paint- ing of a European port scene. Although obscured and nearly indecipherable, after close inspection I found a signature and date hidden in the leafy foliage on a rock. This large copper panel was painted in 1758, and the detailed brushstrokes and subtle gradations of light and shadow depicted a Mediterranean port scene with a fortified tower and an anchored ship with ladies and merchants car- rying on with their daily pursuits. It took me an entire weekend to determine that the signa- ture on this painting was that of the renowned French painter, Charles Francois Lacroix - aka Lacroix de Marseille, who died in 1772. Since my client expressed interest in selling the painting, my research determined that an Old Master Painting Sale at Sotheby’s in New York was the best market to realize the highest price. In the spring of 2016, the painting was consigned and it brought $75,000. While the real estate phrase ‘location, location, location’ refers to the determination of value due to where the property is, the same holds true for the sale of personal property – in this case, Sotheby’s. But the first step in the process is identifying what you have and establishing the value, proving the caveat that knowledgeable decisions always pay off in the end! For valuation information on ONE item, please submit your photos to Martine@Bernards Appraisal.com. Please be sure to include meas- urements, signatures and any other pertinent information. Martine White, of Bernards Appraisal Associates, LLC in Gladstone, NJ is an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers and the Appraisers Association of America. Ms. White has been appraising per- sonal property in the Somerset Hills since 1988. Martine and her associates specialize in appraising fine art, silver, Oriental rugs, antiques and jewelry. Martine can be reached at Bernards Appraisal at 908-234-1153. Martine White holding an 18th century painting by Lacroix de Marseille What’s in Your Attic? FAKE OR FABULOUS FINDS By: Martine White, BA, ASA, AAA home & design PAGE 68