Dr. Elizabeth Stewart’s new book— Collect Value Divest: The Savvy Appraiser—delivers short, concise chapters so that any collector can easily learn how to value their paintings, books, artifacts, and treasured possessions.

Elizabeth condenses her thirty years as a certified appraiser into easy-to-read anecdotes that cover commonly asked questions about value. She provides tips on how to buy, sell, insure, and auction, and explains how to bequeath pieces.

In Praise of….

Stewart’s guide to collecting is entertaining and informative, making it ideal for anyone who wants to understand the objects that surround them. Impeccably organized and edited, and thoughtful in its presentation, Stewart’s guide to collecting is also an informative and entertaining read that will benefit and enhance anyone’s quest to buy, sell, or simply understand the objects they live with. Read the full review. —Foreword Reviews, 5-star review recipient and a finalist for Book of the Year, Foreword INDIES awards

Highly entertaining and instructive; destined to become a collector’s best friend… A debut guide provides advice for both serious and casual collectors. Read the full review –Kirkus Reviews

Thoroughly ‘reader friendly’ in tone, content, organization and presentation, “Collect Value Divest: The Savvy Appraiser” is very highly recommended for both community, professional, and academic library collections.

A certified member of the Appraisers Association of America, Elizabeth Stewart draws upon her years of experience and expertise as a seasoned appraiser to share her secrets of the art and antique marketplace in “Collect Value Divest: The Savvy Appraiser”. Her readers will learn what appraisers don’t want them to know — including all the tools to assess value, beauty, provenance, and quality. Stewart employs real-life cases and rich images to illustrate and instruct her readers on all the Do’s and Don’ts; how, what, and where to collect the next big thing; clues to identification and worth; online tools for value; how to sell and what to donate; and what the children will not want by way of inheritance.
–Midwest Book Reviews

“If you need to downsize (like most of us), learn to do it like a savvy appraiser. Elizabeth explains how to look for clues to authenticity, determine origin and provenance, and understand today’s market. You’ll enjoy her true tales of wise, regret-free divesting.”

Simon Rycroft, Director,
Santa Barbara Historical Arms Association

With over thirty years of experience, Stewart has vast trove to draw upon in order to educate, inspire, instruct, and entertain readers. Collect Value Divest is filled with beautiful, color images of the works discussed, and while it may seem like a minor trait, this really grounds her work. Her chapters on forgeries and fakes are fascinating and most definitely a future resource for any would-be authors of thrillers as well as just as entertaining as any pulp fiction.
— Read the full review — GentlyReadLit.com

About the book…

Dr. Elizabeth Stewart shares her secrets of the art and antiques marketplace. Learn what appraisers don’t want you to know—all the tools to assess value, beauty, rarity, market level, provenance, and quality. Having appraised many estates for celebrities and CEOs, Stewart knows value and can detect frauds, and nothing, no matter how quirky or unusual, is beyond analysis.

Most people possess some family treasures that have been passed down through generations, but are these items valuable or just part of the family’s history? With this guide, family members facing the hurdle of divesting of their parents’ belongings can judge what is worth having appraised and what can be given away. The book is great for seniors who are downsizing and trying to evaluate what to keep and what to give to family or donate, including that “prized” family china.

Using real-life cases and rich images, Stewart instructs on the Dos and Don’ts of collecting: how, what, and where to collect; the next big thing; clues to identification and worth; online tools for finding value; how to sell and what to donate; and what your kids do not want.

Whether you’re a serious collector or someone trying to value family belongings, Collect Value Divest: The Savvy Appraiser will answer your questions on how to evaluate your collections.

In Santa Barbara, buy the book at Chaucer’s Bookstore or Tecolote Bookshop.
Buy the book online

Also available on other leading ebook sites
Buy the book in Santa Barbara’s Tecolote Bookshop or Chaucer’s Bookstore
Available in print or ebook.

To receive a media kit, cover image and additional information, contact:
Kathleen Kaiser, Kathleen@kathleenkaiser.com