Almost every day we receive as many as half a dozen requests for our expert opinion on (or information about, or valuations of) books, maps, prints, authors, publishers, printmakers, mapmakers or engravers, that people happen to have come across. While we have no wish to be unhelpful, this kind of work is immensely difficult, time-consuming, and impossible to carry out properly without a close and careful examination of the material in question. It also gives rise to questions of legal liability - just as it would if any other kind of professional were asked for a professional opinion.
Our standard fees for research and/or valuation work are set out below:
For work requiring travel to inspect the material in situ a fee of £500 per day or pro rata for a portion thereof, plus travel expenses (and overnight accommodation where necessary) plus VAT, with a minimum of £250 plus VAT.
For work where the material is consigned to our premises for inspection (under cover of our insurance), a fee of £50 per hour plus VAT, with a minimum of £50 plus VAT.
Work may include but is not necessarily restricted to physical examination of the material, research in our own extensive reference library, visits to relevant outside libraries or archives where necessary, and the preparation of a full report in requisite and appropriate detail for the particular purpose required. Valuations are made on the basis of information held, records maintained, current trade and auction prices, and of experience of similar materials.
Fees (although not expenses) are waived if the work results within a period of six months in the purchase by Ash Rare Books of the whole of the material in question, or the consignment to Ash Rare Books for sale on commission of the whole of the material in question.
We regret that professional constraints forbid us, under any circumstances, from offering any kind of opinion on material that we have not had the opportunity of inspecting.
Valuations for probate or insurance and/or research reports are made strictly for the use of the owner or owners of the property for documentary purposes only and not for publication or any other purpose whatsoever. No liability is accepted for their use or reliance placed upon them by any third party. Valuations and/or research reports constitute neither an offer to buy nor warranty as to future re-sale value.
|
