Ms. Sarah Reeder, AAA Certified

USPAP compliant through:

02/23/2026

Specialization(s)

Generalist

Member Type

Certified Member

Service(s)

Estate Tax Liability; Charitable Donation; Equitable Distribution; Insurance

Appraiser's Statement

Sarah Reeder is the owner of Artifactual History® Appraisal and a graduate of New York University's Certificate Program in Appraisal Studies in Fine & Decorative Arts. In addition to Certified Membership in the Appraisers Association, she is also a Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) with the Private Client Services designation.

Ms. Reeder received her master's and undergraduate degrees from the College of William & Mary, where she also completed the Certificate Program in Museum Studies, Material Culture, and Early American History from the National Institute of American History and Democracy.

Her firm Artifactual History® Appraisal prepares appraisal reports for insurance, estate, family distribution, and a variety of other uses.  Previous clients include private collectors, corporations, institutions, embassies, lawyers, insurance professionals, and members of the diplomatic and military communities.

Ms. Reeder's previous professional experience includes positions at the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, as well as positions as a Subject Specialist at auction houses.  Ms. Reeder is a generalist appraiser with years of experience working with fine art, silver, ceramics, antiques and decorative arts. She is also a specialist and scholar in Mid-Century Modern and 20th Century Design and a member of the TOAD archive team of midcentury modern design.  She is Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant through February 23, 2026.

In addition to her appraisal firm, Ms. Reeder is Co-Editor of Worthwhile Magazine, an online magazine about art, collecting, creativity, and personal property appraisal knowledge with free access for the general public and professionals alike.  She is also the Co-Host of the educational podcast The Art Elevator together with art expert Larissa Wild. 

Ms. Reeder is also the author of the book Ray Eames in 1930s New York.

TESTIMONIALS:

“Whoever came up with the phrase "above and beyond" had you in mind. I can't thank you enough for your time and efforts, and your information and insights. I will surely use the information as I move forward. Thanks again.”
-Private Collector

"It was my great fortune to hire Sarah Reeder to appraise an artifact prior to a move this past summer. I found Ms. Reeder through the Appraisers Association of America website listing of accredited appraisers. From my first phone call with her, it was obvious that she is passionate about her work and extremely professional. Ms. Reeder visited my home to evaluate the item and provided me with a comprehensive report that included a thorough description and photos of the artifact, detailed information about its history and historical significance, and a description of all the experts she contacted and other sources used to appraise its value. Based on her findings, I decided that my best option was to loan the item to an interested museum. At this point, Ms. Reeder became invaluable to me, offering to reach out to appropriate museums on my behalf. Her combination of industry knowledge and personal contacts resulted in the identification of two potential museums and her on-going advice was spot-on in terms of what to consider in making my decision. I am thrilled with the outcome and convinced this never would have happened without her support and expertise. Sarah Reeder has my highest recommendation. If you have an antique or other artifact you need appraised, she is THE person to call!" R.-McLean, Virginia

"We hired Sarah Reeder, owner of Artifactual History Appraisal, for estate appraisals and to appraise a family historical heirloom. Sarah's passion for her profession, and due diligence in research and preparing the final appraisal report far exceeded our expectations. She included numerous photos, a fully researched written appraisal, economic data pursuant to the silver antiques market and much more. We highly recommend Ms. Reeder for your appraisal needs. She is the ultimate professional and is superbly qualified by experience and by her academic credentials." K-Alexandria, Virginia

EDUCATION:

Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine & Decorative Arts, New York University
Courses Taken:
“Appraising Silver”
“Appraising Fine and Rare Wine”
“Appraisal of American Folk Art”
“The Appraisal of Old Master European and Early American Prints”
“18th and 19th-Century Furniture:  Materials, Construction, and Use”
“American Furniture Styles 1700-2000”
“IRS Legal Guidelines in Valuation of Fine and Decorative Arts”
“Research Methods for Appraisers”
“The Heart of the Matter:  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Appraising”
“Essentials of Appraising”
“Appraisal Writing Workshop”
“Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)”
“Internship in Appraisal Studies”

Master of Arts, The College of William & Mary
Master's Thesis: "Reevaluating the Carnegie Survey:  New Uses for Frances Benjamin Johnston's Pictorial Archive," a collection of documentary architectural photography

Bachelor of Arts, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa cum laude, Monroe Scholar, The College of William & Mary
Honor's Thesis: "Ray Kaiser Eames in 1930s New York: The Education of an Artist," analyzing Ray Eames' training and paintings prior to co-founding the Eames Office

Certificate in Museum Studies, Material Culture, and Early American History from the National Institute of American History and Democracy (NIAHD) 
 

SELECTED CONTINUING EDUCATION:

"Contemporary Design," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Fantasy, Fake, or Faux: The Fabulous & Concise History of Costume Jewelry," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Don't Gloss Over Your Glossary," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Collection Protection Series:  Disaster!  Are Your Collecting Clients Prepared?" Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Brutalism:  Overview and Current Market," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Alexander Girard:  Celebrating Life Through Design," MillerKnoll, 2024.

"USPAP 7-Hour Update," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"USPAP Roundtable," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Collection Protection:  Damage and Loss-Wine," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Georg Jensen:  Defined by Design," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"ArtTactic Market Update," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"Florence Knoll: Defining Modern," MillerKnoll, 2023.

"Of Value:  2023 National Conference," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"Working with Family Offices," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"State of the Fake:  Luxury Edition," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

“Hallmarks: Decoding England’s Secret Language of Silver,” New York Adventure Club, 2023.

“Uncovering New York Historical Society’s Tiffany Lamp Collection,” New York Adventure Club, 2023.

“Ukrainian Cultural Heritage: What’s Damaged; Destroyed; Documented; and Being Done,” International Foundation for Art Research, 2022.

“Marketplace and Emerging Trends for Two Dimensional Art,” International Society of Appraisers, 2022.

“Inside Look: Man Ray’s Le Violon d’Ingres 1924,” Christie’s Education, 2022.

“Louis Vuitton Mini-Course,” Authentication Institute of America, 2022.

“ArtDiscovery: Using Scientific Analysis for Authentication,” Appraisers Association of America, 2022.

“Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 7-Hour Update,” International Society of Appraisers, 2022.

“Contemporary Art + The Design Object,” International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

“Midcentury Modern Design,” Appraisers Association of America, 2021.

“Mid-Mod in the Middle,” International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

“The History of Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Art Museums,” Appraisers Association of America, 2021.

“M.C. Escher: Prints, Drawings, Watercolors and Textiles,” curator Dr. David Steel speaking at the Bruce Silverstein Gallery, 2021.

“A Defensible Appraisal Report,” Appraisers Association of America, 2021.

“Working with Insurance Companies,” Appraisers Association of America, 2020.

“British Furniture and Decorative Arts,” Appraisers Association of America, 2020.

“Introduction to Appraising Rugs,” International Society of Appraisers, 2020.

“Appraising Oriental Rugs and Carpets,” Appraisers Association of America, 2020.

“Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 7-Hour Update Course,” International Society of Appraisers, 2020.

"Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice 7-Hour Update," Appraisers Association of America, 2018.

"Appraising in the World of High-Net-Worth Individuals," International Society of Appraisers, 2018.

"Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 7-Hour Update Course," The Appraisal Foundation, 2017.

"Appraisal of Modern and Contemporary Prints," New York University, 2016.

"Elements of a Correctly Prepared Appraisal," Appraisers Association of America, 2016.

"Theory & Methodology," Appraisers Association of America, 2016.
 

PUBLICATIONS:

"Understanding Appraiser Neutrality:  A Consumer's Guide to the Importance of Working with USPAP-Compliant Appraisers," Worthwhile Magazine, 2024.

"A Consumer's Guide to the Appraisal Process for Art and Antique Appraisal Reports," Worthwhile Magazine, 2024.

“Everything You Wanted to Know About Appraisals, But Were Afraid to Ask,” Interview with Artifcts CEO Heather Nickerson, Artifcts, 2023.

“How to Identify an Antique When You See One,” (contributor to article by Blythe Copeland and Lauren Thomann), Martha Stewart Living, 2023.

“How to Have a Collecting Hobby If You’re a Minimalist,” (contributor to article by Blythe Copeland), Martha Stewart Living, 2023.

“A Conversation with Photographer Lance Wilson,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2023.

“What Is A Certified Appraiser of Art and Antiques?” Worthwhile Magazine, 2022.

“A Conversation with a Financial Advisor:  Tracy Shen of the Florin Group,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2022.

“A Conversation with Megan Dorsey of Everthine Antiques & Stationery,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2022.

“Identifying Mid-Century Modern Design,” RICS Journals, 2022.

“The Wonderful Work of Marilyn Neuhart,” TOAD archive, 2021.

“What Type of Appraisal Report Do You Need? An Overview of Common Appraisal Report Categories,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2021.

“A Conversation with Lebanese Artist Mirella Salamé,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2021.

“The Case Against the Current Energy Usage of NFTs: An Art World Environmentalist’s Opinion,” Artifactual History, 2021.

“A Conversation with Alexander Wendl: Creator and Curator of TOAD Archive,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2021.

“Not Like On TV: Appraising is a Professional Service Like Law and Accounting,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2021.

“Expert Answers to Common Questions From Art Collectors,” (contributor to article), Artwork Archive, 2020.

“A Conversation with An Auctioneer: Jason Roske of KC Auction Company and Host of ‘Behind the Gavel with Jason,’” Worthwhile Magazine, 2020.

“What I Would Tell My Collector Self 20 Years Ago,” written together with Courtney Ahlstrom Christy, Artwork Archive, 2020.

“Demystifying the Appraisal Process,” Artwork Archive, 2020.

“How to Obtain Quality Art and Antique Appraisals,” Home Transition Pros, 2020.

“New Uses for Old Things: Thoughts in Support of Mixing Antiques in Modern Interiors,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2020.

“Deepen Your Collecting & Collections Knowledge: An Interview With Spencer W. Stuart About His Lifecycles Webinar,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2020.

“Art Adventuring: A Conversation with Claudia Hess of Hess Art Advisory,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2020.

“A Conversation with Ally Zlatar: Artist, Curator, Activist & Everything In Between,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2020.

“Questions to Consider Asking Yourself While Contemplating a New Addition to Your Art Collection,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2019.

“Understanding the Different Levels of Value: It’s Worth What Where and When?” Worthwhile Magazine, 2019.

“A Consumer’s Guide to Insurance Appraisal Reports: Do You Need One and How to Get One?” Worthwhile Magazine, 2019.

“A Conversation with Artist Mario Loprete,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2019.

"An Overview of the Many Ways That An Appraiser Can Assist the Private Client Services Community,” Digital Journal of Advanced Appraisal Practice, 2019, pages 7-16.

"The Right Stuff: The Surprising Compatibility of Collecting and Minimalism,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2018.

"A Conversation with An Art Restorer: Anabela Ferguson of Brush Strokes Fine Art LLC,” Worthwhile Magazine, 2018.

"The Catalogue Raisonné: An Art Collector’s Underutilized Friend," Worthwhile Magazine, 2018.

"What is USPAP and Why Is It Important to Hire A USPAP-Compliant Appraiser?"  ISA Now, International Society of Appraisers, 2017.

"An Introduction to Appraising Mid-Century Modern Furniture," The Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies, 2016.

"Rediscovering a Lost Treasure:  Frances Benjamin Johnston's Carnegie Survey."  Uncommon Sense, No. 124, 2007.