Michelle J. Angerman and Associates, Inc. works with clients on acquiring fine art and brokering the sale of fine art at auction. Based on the nature of the project, the advisory process is tailored to impeccably fit our clients' requests.

Our firm has advised clients on acquiring fine art including:

Fernando Botero sculpture
Andy Warhol prints
David Hockney prints
Alex Katz prints
Carlos Almaraz prints
Vik Muniz photographs
Jean Pierre Cassigneul paintings
Elizabeth Murray paintings

Our firm has experience brokering fine art collections at auction with local and national auction houses including works by:

Andy Warhol
Helen Frankenthaler
Richard Diebenkorn
Ed Ruscha
Jasper Johns
Elizabeth Murray
Paul Wonner
Marc Chagall
Pablo Picasso
Henri Matisse

Art Acquisition

As an appraiser, Ms. Angerman Soffer is continually tracking the art market. This knowledge base gives Ms. Angerman Soffer's clients an advantage when employing our consulting services. Our firm specializes in locating modern, post war and contemporary works for clients at galleries, dealers and auction houses throughout the United States and Europe. Whether you are looking for a certain piece of art by a particular artist, are interested in forming a new collection or looking to add a single piece to your existing collection, Ms. Angerman Soffer will work closely with you to find the perfect piece.

When purchasing a work of art, the reputation and identity of the seller is just as important as the work itself. Ms. Angerman Soffer has strong thorough knowledge of galleries, dealers and auction houses across the United States and oversees, providing the client with peace of mind that the purchase is from a highly reputable source. Once we find the perfect piece for your collection, the next step is negotiating the price. Our firm will conduct market research and inform you of recent comparable sales so that you are working with the same level of information as the seller. After we agree upon the current value, our firm will negotiate the price on your behalf and arrange for shipping (if applicable), delivery and installation. We also work with expert framers and would be happy to assist you in choosing an archival framing option.

For art acquisition at auction, our firm will conduct market research and inform you of recent comparable sales in order to determine how high to bid. We will also personally inspect the condition of the item and bid on your behalf. Once the sale is consummated, we will act as your liaison with the auction house and arrange for delivery and installation.

Purchasing mistakes can often be avoided when clients utilize advisory services from a qualified professional. There are several questions one should consider when purchasing a work of art:

  • What is the reputation of the artist and where has the artist exhibited?
  • Is the artist emerging, mid-career or established?
  • What is the "appropriate" price for a work of this kind?
  • Is this artwork a good investment or is it purely for decorative appeal?
  • What is the condition of the piece, and if the work is of considerable age, what condition issues are acceptable or expected and which devalue the work?
  • Is there a secondary market for the artist?
  • Has the artwork been restored and of what impact does that have on the piece?
  • If the piece is contemporary, is it made of archival materials?
  • How negotiable is the price?
  • How reputable is the dealer, gallery or auction house that is offering the piece?
  • What is the provenance?

Art Brokerage

 Michelle J. Angerman and Associates, Inc. will act as your liaison with the auction house to broker the sale of your fine art at auction. We will guide you through the consignment process from beginning to end. Often times a single auction house is not necessarily the best venue of sale for all of the works in a collection. Our firm conducts market research and together with the client discusses the best options for maximizing prices. Having worked on projects with local and national auction houses including Sotheby's and Bonhams, our firm has experience negotiating the terms of your consignment agreement. This includes negotiating the seller's commission, insurance and photography fees and buy-in rates. During this process our firm pays close attention to strategically setting auction estimates and setting a reserve price that is in the best interest of our clients. We ensure that the consignment paperwork is completed accurately and arrange for the shipment or delivery of the artwork directly to the auction house.
Copyright 2011 Michelle J. Angerman and Associates, Inc.