Selz Fine Art Appraisals

Sam Francis, Iris, 1965–1967

Selz Fine Art Appraisals offers a comprehensive spectrum of services tailored to the diverse needs of private collectors, museums, artist estates, corporations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, and attorneys nationwide.

Founded by Gabrielle Selz, an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers, Selz Fine Art delivers authoritative appraisal services for individual works of art and entire collections alike. All reports are IRS- and USPAP-compliant and prepared for a full range of intended uses, including Insurance Coverage, Insurance Claims, Divorce, Estates & Trusts, Non-Cash Charitable Donations, Art Legacy Planning, Dissolution of Property, Litigation, Bankruptcy, Forced Liquidation and Prenuptial Agreements.

Beyond appraisal services, we offer a full suite of advisory services, including comprehensive collection management, sales guidance, purchase consultation, market analysis, gallery and auction house negotiations, vendor relations, and referrals for conservation, restoration, installation, custom framing, and shipping.

About Us

Gabrielle Selz, ASA, is an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers. With more than 30 years of experience in the visual arts, she brings specialized expertise in Postwar, Contemporary, and Emerging Art, as well as Impressionist & Modern Art, American Art, Photography, and Prints. She has prepared estate tax appraisal reports for significant and high value collections and has conducted charitable contribution appraisals for donations to institutions such as the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Cantor Center for the Visual Arts, the Phillips Collection, and the American University Museum in Washington, D.C., among many others.

As an art historian and writer, she is the author of two award-winning nonfiction books on the art world, UnStill Life: Art and Love in the Age of Abstraction and Light on Fire: The Art and Life of Sam Francis , the first comprehensive biography of the artist Sam Francis. She is also an essayist and art reviewer who has published in Art Forum, The New Yorker, New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times, among others.

Theodore Mync is an Appraisal Associate at Selz Fine Art Appraisals, currently pursuing accreditation with the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) in Fine Art. His areas of specialization include post-war and contemporary American art, prints and multiples, and studio ceramics.

Mync brings hands-on experience from his prior work at Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California, where he developed a strong foundation in cataloguing, valuation research, and the auction process. At Selz Fine Art, he contributes to all phases of the appraisal workflow — from inspection and condition documentation to provenance research, comparable sales analysis, and report preparation — ensuring that every engagement meets the firm's rigorous standards of accuracy and compliance.

In addition to his appraisal work, Mync is the creator of ArtLedge, a purpose-built collection management platform developed to serve collectors, estates, appraisers, and galleries. His combined expertise in fine art valuation and technology enables him to bridge traditional appraisal practice with modern tools for documentation and collection stewardship.

Our Services

Selz Fine Art Appraisals combines meticulous research with comprehensive market intelligence to produce rigorous, USPAP-compliant reports that meet the highest professional standards.

Insurance Coverage, Claims, and Settlement

Insurance appraisals establish the cost to replace a work of art with one of comparable quality, condition, and significance, forming the basis for appropriate coverage.

We prepare USPAP-compliant appraisals for individual works and entire collections. Each report includes color images, detailed catalogue descriptions, and values supported by relevant market comparables, in a format suitable for submission to insurers and underwriters.

Assignments begin with an inventory review or on-site inspection, followed by independent market research across auction and dealer channels. In the event of damage or loss, we provide pre-loss, post-loss, post-restoration, and diminution-in-value appraisals, and assist with claims, conservation, or resale as appropriate.

Charitable Donation

Charitable contribution appraisals require careful attention to timing, substantiation, and regulatory compliance. We prepare qualified appraisals of fine art in accordance with IRS requirements, including the documentation necessary to support deductions reported on Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions).

Our firm has appraised significant donations to leading institutions, including the Phillips Museum of Art, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Cantor Arts Center, the American University Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, and the Charles M. Schulz Museum, among others.

Estate Planning & Estate and Gift Tax

Fair Market Value appraisals for estate planning are relied upon by executors, attorneys, accountants, and the IRS in determining estate tax liability. We work with private collectors, family trusts, and fiduciaries to provide valuation clarity in the context of planning, administration, and distribution.

We prepare qualified appraisals for estate and gift tax reporting, including valuations for IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax Return) and Form 709 (Gift Tax Return). Reports are developed in accordance with Treasury Regulation §20.2031-6 and structured to meet IRS substantiation requirements, with the understanding that they may be subject to review or examination.

Equitable Distribution & Division of Property

Equitable distribution appraisals provide an objective and well-supported opinion of value for the fair allocation of property. These assignments require impartial analysis and clear documentation, as conclusions may be relied upon in negotiation, mediation, or litigation.

Valuations are developed through analysis of relevant market data, including auction and dealer comparables, with consideration given to condition, provenance, and overall market context. Reports are prepared in accordance with USPAP standards and are structured to withstand scrutiny by attorneys, courts, and other parties.

Litigation Support

Appraiser examining exhibition and provenance labels on the reverse of a framed painting.

Disputes involving fine art require valuation work that is independent, thoroughly documented, and able to withstand scrutiny from opposing counsel and the court. Selz Fine Art Appraisals provides litigation support to attorneys, insurers, fiduciaries, and their clients in matters including marital dissolution, estate and trust disputes, insurance claims and coverage disputes, damage and loss, breach of contract, and bankruptcy.

We prepare USPAP-compliant appraisals of current and retrospective Fair Market Value and Replacement Value, including date-of-loss valuations for works that have been damaged, destroyed, or are no longer available for inspection. Our work includes review of inventories, photographs, and supporting records; provenance and condition research; and analysis of auction and dealer comparables, presented with a clear methodology that judges, mediators, and opposing parties can follow.

Every litigation engagement is approached with strict impartiality.

We also provide expert witness testimony at deposition and trial, and USPAP-compliant review of appraisals prepared by other parties.

Art Advisory

Selz Fine Art Appraisals provides discreet advisory services to private and corporate clients, supporting the thoughtful development and stewardship of collections.

Our advisory services include targeted, global sourcing; independent guidance on condition, provenance, quality, and pricing; negotiation with dealers and auction houses; and consultation on conservation, installation, and framing. All engagements are conducted with complete confidentiality and an unwavering commitment to objectivity.

ArtLedge Collection Management

At Selz Fine Art Appraisals, we offer bespoke collection management services through ArtLedge.

ArtLedge is a purpose-built platform designed to meet the real-world needs of collectors, estates, museums, artists, gallerists, and appraisers. It functions as a dynamic, living record of your collection: a secure, centralized system in which each work is fully catalogued with detailed descriptions, provenance documentation, condition reports, appraisal history, and high-resolution imagery. Whether overseeing a select group of works or managing a large and complex inventory, ArtLedge ensures that your collection remains private, organized, and accessible at all times.

What ArtLedge Offers:

Comprehensive digital inventory with high-resolution images and catalogue-quality descriptions
Provenance tracking and integrated documentation management
Appraisal history with valuation records over time
Secure, private access from any location
Customizable reports sortable by artist, medium, value, location, and other key criteria

To learn more about how ArtLedge can support the management of your collection, please contact us for a personalized demonstration.

I have had the opportunity to engage Gabrielle Selz's art appraisal service. Her professionalism is impressive. She is extremely knowledgeable and very helpful in assessing fine art. In particular, Gabrielle is meticulous in her presentation of the details within the context of the job, and her execution is timely. I would have no hesitation in recommending Gabrielle's services.

- Roger Mann, Art Collector, Bay Area

Gabrielle Selz is a thorough professional. I've known her as a colleague in the American Society of Appraisers and asked her to appraise artworks owned by my mother, working from an existing inventory. It was a last-minute job that needed to be done fast. She ably and quickly researched, wrote, and produced an expert document that reflected her deep knowledge of the works in the report--she is an art historian--and an impressive network of dealers and curators. The document is flawless, and I cannot recommend Gabrielle more enthusiastically.

- Art Collection, Paris

We had a great experience working with Selz Fine Art Appraisals. Gabrielle was very thorough, explaining everything in detail to ensure we really understood the process. As well as learning about the condition of the artwork we learned about its history and received recommendations for conservation. We would definitely use her services again.

- Richard T. Walker, Bay Area

Loved working with Gabrielle! She is very knowledgeable about art, artists, museums, and galleries. My parent's collection has a lot of local artists, and it was wonderful to learn so much about the art and the artists from her. She is quite timely and does great research. The final report was beautiful and thorough. Highly recommend!

- Britt Anderson, Palo Alto Collection

Selz Fine Art Appraisals was extremely helpful in appraising our artwork for a damage and loss claim. Gabrielle was thorough, knowledgeable, and professional, and her report clearly documented the condition and value of the work, a major piece of mine from 1992 that is not reparable. She made a complicated process much easier and gave us the information we needed to settle the claim.

- Bradley McCallum, TnT Art Lab, San Francisco

I hired Gabrielle Selz to do a Charitable Donation appraisal report for a group of works I donated to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The quality of her research and analysis is excellent. I highly recommend her.

- Jeremy Stone, Bay Area Collector and Appraiser

Gabrielle Selz did my appraisal for Charitable Donation. She is a great appraiser, very expeditious, and a really nice person.

- Karen Justice, San Francisco Art Collection

Gabrielle Selz exemplifies professionalism and comes highly recommended for her services.

- Howard G. Private Art Collector, Mill Valley, CA

Gabrielle Selz's comprehensive and well-researched appraisal report was an essential legal document for our estate planning.

- Private collector, Palo Alto

Portfolio

Gabrielle Selz in front of Sam Francis, Untitled, 1978 — Gabrielle Selz in front of Sam Francis, *Untitled*, 1978

Bio | CV

Gabrielle Selz has worked in the arts for over 30 years as an art historian, writer, and art appraiser specializing in Modern and Contemporary art. She is the author of two award-winning non-fiction books on the art world. Her most recent book is Light on Fire , the first comprehensive biography of the artist Sam Francis. In addition, Selz has published numerous art reviews and is a contributing writer to Art Forum. Selz's expertise extends across the spectrum of 19th, 20th century, and contemporary American and European art, comprising diverse mediums such as paintings, sculpture, assemblage, drawings, prints, photographs, video, and digital and new media art. Selz is a member of Art Table, a national organization for women in leadership positions in the visual arts, and sits on the board of the Northern California Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers.

Email: gabrielle@selzfineartappraisals.com

Phone: +1 (516) 639-8144

Get in touch with us for all your art appraisal needs.

FAQ

Why do I need an art appraisal?

An art appraisal is essential to collecting and preserving your fine art and objects for yourself and future generations. A professional appraisal provides an objective, well-documented opinion of value that supports insurance coverage, estate planning, charitable giving, the division of property, and informed decisions about buying or selling.

What types of art do you appraise?

We appraise a wide range of fine art, including paintings, works on paper, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and photography, with particular expertise in Modern, Contemporary, and historical American and European art.

How does the art appraisal process work?

Our appraisal process moves from initial consultation to final report. Each assignment includes discussion of your needs, inspection of the work, condition reporting, provenance research, cataloguing, relevant market research, and analysis of the data.

How is the value of an artwork determined?

Value is determined by considering several factors, including the artwork's condition, provenance, quality, and significance within the artist's body of work, along with the artist's reputation and current market conditions. These factors are analyzed against comparable sales from auction houses and dealers.

Do you provide appraisals for litigation?

Yes. We prepare independent, USPAP-compliant appraisals for use in legal proceedings, including retrospective valuations for insurance claims, estate disputes, and division of property, and we work closely with counsel throughout the engagement.

Can you assist with art sales and acquisitions?

Yes. We provide advisory services for both sales and acquisitions, including market analysis, pricing guidance, and negotiation with galleries and auction houses.

What is the cost of an art appraisal?

The cost depends on the scope and complexity of the assignment. We offer both hourly rates and flat fees, and we provide a clear estimate before any work begins.

How should I prepare for an appraisal?

Gather whatever information you have about the artwork, such as previous appraisals, sales receipts, exhibition history, correspondence with the artist or dealer, and certificates of authenticity. Even partial records can be valuable to our research.

What documentation will I receive after an appraisal?

You will receive a detailed report in digital and hard-copy formats. Each report includes color images, catalogue descriptions, the opinion of value, supporting market analysis, and relevant information about your artwork.

Are appraisals confidential?

Yes. All appraisals are conducted in strict confidence, and information about you and your collection is never shared without your consent, except as required by law.

How often should I appraise my art?

We recommend updating appraisals every three to five years, or sooner if the market for a particular artist changes significantly.

What are the qualifications of your appraisers?

A qualified appraiser maintains current certification in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and is accredited by one of the three leading professional organizations: the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), or the Appraisers Association of America (AAA). Gabrielle Selz is accredited by both ASA and ISA, and all members of our team bring deep expertise in fine art valuation.

What is the American Society of Appraisers?

Founded in 1936, the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is the oldest multidisciplinary professional appraisal organization in North America and the most respected. It maintains a rigorous accreditation process that includes specialized coursework, examinations, and a thorough review of appraisal reports.

ASA upholds high standards of ethical conduct through its Principles of Appraisal Practice and Code of Ethics, which all members are required to follow. As an Accredited Senior Appraiser, Gabrielle Selz has met the organization's strict professional criteria for expertise, accuracy, impartiality, and credibility.

By adhering to ASA's professional standards, we deliver valuation services of the highest quality. Our clients can be confident that our appraisals are objective, ethical, and defensible, meeting the requirements of insurance, legal, financial, and governmental institutions.

What is the International Society of Appraisers?

The International Society of Appraisers (ISA) is a leading professional association for personal property appraisers. Its accreditation requires specialized education, demonstrated experience, and peer review of appraisal work, and its members are bound by a code of ethics and USPAP compliance. ISA accreditation is widely recognized by insurers, attorneys, and the IRS.

Why is USPAP important?

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) establish the generally accepted standards for appraisal practice in the United States. They provide a comprehensive framework for all types of appraisal services, ensuring consistency, integrity, and professionalism across the field.

USPAP also carries legal significance. It was recognized under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) as the official standard for appraisals in federally related transactions, and compliance is required for appraisers working in those contexts.

USPAP is published by the Appraisal Standards Board of The Appraisal Foundation, an organization authorized by the U.S. Congress as the source of appraisal standards and qualifications. Its role is central to maintaining public trust in the appraisal profession.