How Auction Estimates are Calculated

ARTSY recently published an excellent article by Martin Gammon, "What Auction House Estimates Really Mean - and What They Can Tell Us." 

The setting of auction estimates is often seen as a mysterious, but it really has a lot to do with understanding the psychological state of the seller and buyer, and may or may not well reflect the actual potential market value of the objects up for sale at auction.

This article is the best I have seen that explains the process of how auction estimates are set and what they really mean.

Selling Your Parents' Possessions is Harder than You Think

I've been getting a lot of queries recently from people who need to dispose of family possessions. Sadly, much of what I am asked to evaluate have only minimal decorative value. That is because lifestyles of younger people have changed and they are simply not so interested in antiques, Western or Asian, unless the pieces are really, really special. I am happy to look at things, for my minimun fee, and advise on where things can be sold. But it is important for people who contact me to understand they need to have realistic expectations and in most cases, sales will not be able to pay for care of elderly loved ones.

Much has been written on this issue lately, including this interesting, basic article, Sorry, Nobody Wants Your Parents' Stuff