Art Advisory Services

“Collecting” is a passion which many of our clients share.  Whittier understands that  our clients’ collectibles—including fine art, decorative arts, jewelry, stamps, coins, classic cars, wine, memorabilia--not only have financial value, but have enormous emotional and intellectual value and importance to our clients and their families.  Therefore, as part of the firm’s high levels of service, Whittier also provides Art Advisory Services. The senior members of this department collectively have more than forty years of experience working in the art auction, appraisal, curatorial and museum arenas. As with all of Whittier’s services, the art advisory services are customized to meet each individual’s or family’s needs, circumstances and requirements, and include confidential and independent assistance with the following:

• Obtaining appraisals for insurance or fair market value.  This includes finding the appropriate appraiser and reviewing their credentials, particularly in light of increasingly stringent regulations.
• Climate controlled storage, conservation, restoration, preservation and shipping
• Exhibition negotiations, paperwork and details for clients who lend works of art
• Assistance with the negotiation and purchase of works of art
• Assistance with the sales process, including the development and execution of a sales strategy.  Such a strategy bears in mind the client’s, family’s or trust’s timetable in light of art market cycles, the timing and venue of any sales
• Negotiation of art appraisal, sale or purchase fees and terms on behalf of the Whittier client.
• Art Administration, including history, records and provenance, as well as distribution of works as per estate and trust documents
• Coordination and discussion with estate planning and tax advisors regarding future plans for individual works or the collections as a whole
• Protection of anonymity in all services:  Whittier’s enjoy the comfort and security of knowing that their anonymity will be protected and that these transactions and services will be provided with the utmost confidentiality.