Caroline Ashleigh Appraisers & Auctioneers

  Antiques Roadshow Has a Renegade Message - " The Surprising Politics of Antiques Roadshow " by Stephen Lurie The show is about finding out how much your possessions are worth. But it has stayed popular because it values knowledge over money Photo: Courtesy Antiques Roadshow

Caroline Ashleigh Featured in Women2Women Magazine Read the PDF Version Cover Story in Women 2 Women Caroline Ashleigh, Appraiser and Auctioneer, Author and HGTV & Antiques Roadshow expert appraiser, talks about her passion, living in the Sweet Spot in her profession, and building her business into one of the premier art appraisal and auction companies in the country. Excerpts from the article: "When you find your true vocation in life, you find your sweet spot. Step into that rhythm and enthusiasm flows, and gives you a higher sense of purpose in that which you do" "Each of us has unique skills to share and we are happiest and most energized when we share them"

I've had the honor of working with Debbie Reynolds, star of stage and screen, on appraising items in her extensive collection of movie memorabilia. In June of 2011, Ms. Reynolds will be selling an iconic white dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch . Previously, I appraised this beautiful piece of movie history at $2 million. Read the entire story at the Caroline Ashleigh Auction Blog . Related Stories Marilyn Monroe Seven Year Itch Poster, 1955 Marilyn Monroe's White Dress from The Seven Year Itch, 1955 The Final Curtain Goes UP as the Auction Hammer Goes Down on Debbie Reynolds' Collection

Sometimes we at Caroline Ashleigh Associates amazed at what some people will try on their own. Do it yourself restoration of artwork is NOT something that should be undertaken by the uninitiated. In fact, simply cleaning valuable artwork should be done by a professional that understands the nature of paint, canvas and paper. As paints and inks age, they can become brittle, and the various substrate used by artists (canvas, paper, etc.) have their own characteristics. Using fluids for cleaning can adversely affect any of these materials, so it it imperative that anyone who cleans or restores artwork be experienced and qualified. For more information, read my full blog post at The Caroline Ashleigh Auction Blog . If you have a work you'd like to have cleaned and/or restored, feel free to contact me at info@appraiseyourart.com.

I'm excited that reality TV has come to Detroit in a big way. Two new shows to watch are metro Detroit-based-- truTV's Hard Core Pawn which debuted on Tuesday, December 28, and HG-TV's Cash & Cari which debuted on Monday, January 3. Both shows deal with the hunt for undiscovered treasure. In Hard Core Pawn the Gold family sees some incredibly interesting items, but there's risk. In Cash & Cari my friend Cari has the opportunity to hunt out unique and rare items. Have you watched either show yet? If you do, leave a comment and let us know your thoughts. Related Stories Welcome to Reality TV in Detroit City This Isn't Your Grandmother's Antiquing... "Cash & Cari" Premiering in January on HGTV

Caroline Ashleigh is among the Who’s Who of top professional speakers and appraisers in the art and antiques business. Caroline Ashleigh, television’s celebrity appraiser and PBS and HG-TV personality, kicked off her 2010/11 appraisal and lecture tour at the Grand Rapids Rotary Antique Show this winter at the Delta Plex Arena and Conference Center. Appraisals and book signings were provided at this popular event. Ms. Ashleigh is among the Who’s Who of top professional speakers and appraisers in the art and antiques business. She is an internationally known expert who is a proven hit behind the podium and adept at interacting with audiences of all sizes. She knows what it’s worth, and shares that knowledge on her appraisal and lecture tour, by customizing her presentation to meet each audience’s specific needs. The Michigan native is the founder of Caroline Ashleigh Appraisers and...

Very soon a new season of American Pickers will be gearing up. This is one of my favorite shows because it's about more than just collecting. Pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz scour the country for American memorabilia. Their travels take them across the country and into the homes of some memorable characters with fascinating stories. In honor of the new episodes, I am giving away two CD's of the complete episodes of season one. To become eligible, please post a comment on my blog together with your email address. Happy Picking! For More On American Pickers American Pickers on Facebook Official American Pickers Website American Pickers at YouTube

If you haven't figured out by now, I'm fascinated with reality TV shows that feature auctions and collecting. And, I'm excited to check out a new one--Cash 'n' Cari--premiering on HGTV on Monday, January 3rd from 10:00 - 10:30 (hope I can stay up that late ;-). The show follows Cari Cucksey of Northville, Michigan as she scours estate sales, flea markets and dusty attics for hidden treasures. I'm looking forward to seeing what Cari finds. If you catch the premier, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. Related Stories Lights, Camera, Action! Lights, Camera and (more) Action!

Did Dan Brown Have It Right After All? A recent expert examination of the Mona Lisa has uncovered "hidden" information. Apparently, there have been letters found painted into the eyes of this famous portrait. The letters are not visible to the naked eye, but were uncovered while examining the work at high magnification. There is great speculation on what the letters are and what they might represent. For the full story, visit the Caroline Ashley Auction Blog .

Several months ago the news media was abuzz with predictions that a flag--found at Little Bighorn after the massacre of General Custer and his men--may net up to $5,000,000 at auction. On December 10, 2010, Sotheby's auctioned the historic flag, which had been in the possession of the Detroit Museum of Art, now known as the Detroit Art Institute (DIA). While the flag didn't meet with the media's typically sensationalist projections, it did fetch $2,210,500 US (hammer price with buyer's premium), an amount not to be taken lightly for a flag that was purchased 115 years ago for $45. Related Stories Custer's Last Flag at Little Bighorn Sells for $2,210,500 m Custer's Last Flag at Little Bighorn - Will it fetch $5M?

Steve Martin, best known for his comic antics and banjo playing, has just completed his first novel. As it turns out, Mr. Martin is a collector of art and has based his new novel on his personal experience. While the story is fictitious, Martin has woven in elements of his real-world collecting experience. I'm not completely through the story yet, but I'm enjoying it so far. I've always been a fan of fiction that incorporates elements of collecting and the art world, this one is proving to be an entertaining read. Related Stories An Object of Beauty - A Novel by Steve Martin

One area of personal interest for me is in textiles and the signs and symbols found in these fascinating items. There is an ageless beauty and significance to the patterns seen in these everyday objects used daily by people throughout history. Whether it's a rug or a quilt, textiles have a "closeness" to all of us, and they are frequently decorated with images of spiritual and cultural significance. Because of this, I have long collected textiles for their imagery, rather than their style. Certain symbols and motifs are frequently repeated, and their representation and meaning is surprisingly similar from culture to culture and throughout time. These symbols are the cross, a symbol of balance, integration and relationship; the circle, a symbol of wholeness, unity and spiritual power; the spiral, a symbol of growth and evolution; the triangle, frequently used to represent attainment of goals and dreams; and the square, representing security, rationality and the elemental f...

If you're a fan of Antiques Roadshow , American Pickers or Pawn Stars , keep your eye out for new shows appearing this season. Although they have a similar topic, the format of each show is quite different. They focus on everything from Hollywood memorabilia to restoration to the hunt for lost antiquities. Any way you slice it, though, if you're a collector or love the thrill of finding something that could be rare, there's a show out there for you. For more information, check out the Caroline Ashleigh auction blog . Related Stories Rare Honus Wagner Card Found in Safe Deposit Box To Have and To Hold Major Hollywood Memorabilia Sale Advice on Acquiring Vintage Shoes