As the principal of Value the Past ltd, I want you to know how Value the Past ltd. came about. I witnessed first-hand the turmoil of a lost item. The item had no photograph and no proof (invoice) of ownership. Was the item lost or was it stolen? I will never know. Having a written appraisal would have solved the problem immediately, for my insurance would have covered the loss.
After being through the emotional roller coaster of the lost item, to this day I have appraisals on items that would cause me grief if a loss/theft ever happened again. To find an appraiser that could provide me with the service was difficult. There were very few people who could or would value personal property.
Time went by. I again came upon another problem, Estates! As the seniors in my life were passing on, the families went to war. The executors tried their best to separate the estates equitably amongst the family members. Unfortunately, they did not know the value of the items. To pay probate on items was also puzzling. They needed to know the value of the items.
So off the school I went. First studying gemmology, the antique and period jewellery, slaving over minimum wage jobs to get my experience, 4500 hours in decorative arts, 4500 hours in the jewellery field and 4500 hours for silver, then finally taking the appraisal courses needed. Now I am a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property through the International Society of Appraisers and a Certified Professional Appraiser through the Canadian Jewellers Association.
Hence, Value the Past was conceived. I am proud to say we have been in business for over 10 years and I enjoy every moment of my work life.