Hello - Sorry for the delay in answering.... Have you looked at the Artifact Appraisal "Guideline" at http://www.si.edu/scmre/apraisal.html ? Many appraisers could probably help in authentication or point you in the right direction. Best wishes, Ann N'Gadi Technical Information Specialist SCMRE >>> [log in to unmask] 11/24/01 06:41PM >>> Dear List, I have a family portrait from the 1830s that I need to have authenicated and appraised. I have always been told that it is an Asher B. Durand, but the work is not signed. I am located in Northern California and would like to avoid shipping or transporting the work. Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone used Butterfield's or another local appraiser in the San Francisco area? Feel free to reply off-list. Thanks, Anne ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anne Scott [log in to unmask] "Since there wings, they got rusted, the angels want to wear my red shoes." -Elvis Costello ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).