WEST HIGHLAND
ART APPRAISERS
AND AUTHENTICATORS
Since 1977
Free Appraisal Evaluation
WRITTEN ESTATE &
INSURANCE APPRAISALS
WE BUY DAMAGED OIL PAINTINGS
ABOUT US
Les and Sue Fox have been professional art and rare coin experts, appraisers and dealers for many years. We are well known in both fields. We’ve worked for International Banks and Affluent Private Collectors as well as other dealers. We are the authors of more than a dozen books, and we are collectors ourselves. However, when you hire us we work only for your best interests. There is never a conflict of interest. We will help you buy, sell or auction paintings and other art forms based on your needs and instructions. We will be happy to consult with other art dealers, appraisers, art auction houses, museums, libraries, authors, family members and anyone else who is best qualified to help us evaluate your painting.
Professional Organization Memberships
The American Society of Appraisers, The Catalogue Raisonne Scholars Association. Life Member,
The American Numismatic Association since 1974.
Q: Do you buy damaged Oil Paintings?
A: Yes. We are happy to pay you top dollar for valuable oil paintings that have been in a fire, flood or otherwise damaged. Before you discard, donate or sell your damaged painting for a low price, please let us evaluate it. A professionally restored painting can increase in value by 100% to 1,000%! We buy quality paintings which have been burned, have holes in them or were waterlogged and now exhibit bubbled or flaky paint. If we think a painting is worth saving, we will make you an offer and a proposal where we cover the entire cost of world class restoration in exchange for ownership rights or an outright cash purchase. We have helped many people salvage artworks that were considered lost or worthless. Remember, many important and valuable paintings in museums have been brought back to life by museum curators thanks to the skill of expert art restorers like us. We look forward to seeing your damaged art in the hope of making you an offer you can’t refuse.
Q: Why choose West Highland to appraise or authenticate your art?
A: Among thousands of art appraisers, the husband and wife team of Les and Sue Fox offer unique credentials in the often tricky world of valuable paintings and other art forms. Working together for 50 years, the Foxes consult with experts from all of the major art auction houses including Sotheby’s and Christie’s, as well as Antiques Roadshow specialists. It is rare to find a Catalogue Raisonne publisher who provides appraisal and art services.
Q: How much does a written appraisal cost?
A: Our appraisal and authentication fees are based on research time @ $50 per hour. Please send us photos and details of your paintings. We will promptly reply with a free evaluation and cost proposal. We are also art advisors. We can help you build an art collection or an art investment portfolio.
Q: What is a Catalogue Raisonne?
A: A Catalogue Raisonne is a record of all paintings created by an artist. In 2021, Les and Sue Fox published the Catalogue Raisonne of Fern Isabel Coppedge (1883-1951), one of America’s finest winter landscape artists. Research continues, and the Foxes plan to publish an expanded Catalogue Raisonne in a few years. Note: Fern Coppedge’s paintings have sold for $300,000.
Q: Is it hard to publish a Catalogue Raisonne?
A: A Catalogue Raisonne can take 20 years to research. Each painting must be carefully documented to include all known provenance (past ownership), museum exhibitions, gallery sales, and private ownership from the date of creation to the present. The Catalogue Raisonne publisher wants to leave no gaps in tracking the history of a painting. The art world relies upon the reputation of C.R. experts for authentication.
Q: Why is a Catalogue Raisonne expert the best choice to appraise and authenticate your art?
A: Catalogue Raisonne experts specialize in discovering all important documentation related to a painting. Vintage photos, letters, gallery labels and news stories are often the key to proving that a painting is genuine and has good title. In order to properly evaluate your art we need to know how you acquired it, and that you are the legal owner.
Q: What if a painting does not have any documentation?
A: Documentation is very important. Paintings with no documentation generally present a challenge to determining value and authenticity. Signatures need to be verified and the painted canvas must be scientifically analyzed and compared to known genuine examples created by the artist. Extremely talented forgers have fooled art experts. The more valuable the artist, the better the forgery.
Q: Are all Catalogue Raisonne experts qualified to determine the value of a painting?
A: No. Most C.R. experts are knowledgeable about a single artist’s work and not its market value. As C.R. experts as well as art and rare coin dealers and appraisers for half a century, Les and Sue Fox are experts in both areas. We also know which other experts to consult with to be sure our research and opinions are accurate. A second or third opinion is always a good idea. Value can be based on auction prices, gallery prices, insurance requirements or replacement cost.
ARTISTS WE BUY AND APPRAISEMilton AveryJohann BerthelsenAlbert BierstadtFranz BischoffOscar BluemnerCharles BurchfieldDavid BurliukFern CoppedgeEdouard CortesJohn CostiganStuart DavisGuy Pene DuBoisE. Charlton FortuneFrederick FriesekeDaniel GarberWilliam GlackensEmile GruppeChilde HassamMartin J. HeadeRobert HenriAldro HibbardJacob LawrenceHayley LeverConrad Marca-RelliAlice NeelDale NicholsJane PetersonFairfield PorterEdward PotthastLevi Wells PrenticeMaurice PrendergastHovsep PushmanNeo RauchEdward RedfieldGranville RedmondBirger SandzenRolph ScarlettWalter SchofieldCharles SheelerGeorge Gardner SymonsRufino TamayoAnthony ThiemeWayne ThiebaudMartha WalterGuy Wiggins
Q: Do we guarantee our appraisals and authentication?
A: No. Many art appraisers offer a "Certificate Of Authenticity" (COA). This may be useful in selling a painting privately. However, In order to sell at public auction with Sotheby’s and Christie’s often the opinion of the Catalogue Raisonne expert is needed to guarantee acceptance of a painting to a major auction. Ultimately, all appraisals represent “a professional opinion”. If you insist on a C.O.A., ask the appraiser if their certificate guarantees consignment to a major auction house.
Q: What proves that a painting is genuine and how much it’s worth?
A: Like market value, authenticity is a qualified professional opinion. Comparing your painting to genuine paintings (size and subject matter) is the first step to authentication. Scientific analysis may also be necessary. As to value, many listed artists have hundreds of auction records which is a strong indication of value. Art gallery prices are not always reliable. The fact that an art gallery is offering a painting for sale at $5,000 or $500,000 does not mean it’s worth that price. It’s our job to research market value and to triple check every aspect of authenticity. In addition to provenance, we may also use Microscopy, paint chemistry, infra-red technology and fingerprints to verify who created a painting. Not all paintings can be unquestionably authenticated. Before undertaking a project we will tell you what we can and cannot do. Our preliminary appraisal evaluation is free. We can also assist you in professionally restoring a genuine painting, which can add value.
WEST HIGHLAND ART APPRAISERS
P.O. Box 15276 • Sarasota, FL 34277
201-264-7450 • email: lesfoxnj@yahoo.com
AFFILIATES IN
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