Tom Hall Auctions provides certified personal property appraisals for individuals, families, attorneys, accountants, and financial institutions throughout the Lehigh Valley and northeast Pennsylvania. Appraisals are conducted by Catherine “Cathy” Keys, Vice President of Tom Hall Auctions and a Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) with more than 40 years of experience evaluating antiques, jewelry, fine art, collectibles, and full estate contents.
Why a Certified Appraisal Matters
Not every valuation is created equal. A certified appraisal — one prepared by a credentialed professional, following recognized appraisal standards — carries weight that an informal estimate doesn’t. Certified appraisals are typically required for:
- Estate settlement — establishing fair market value for probate and distribution among heirs
- Estate tax filings — documentation the IRS and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will accept
- Insurance coverage — scheduling valuable items or filing a claim after loss or damage
- Divorce settlements — dividing personal property fairly between parties
- Charitable donations — substantiating a deduction for donated items
- Equitable distribution among family members — giving everyone confidence the split is fair
Who Performs Our Appraisals
Cathy Keys holds the GPPA (Graduate Personal Property Appraiser) designation and is also an AARE (Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate) and CAI (Certified Auctioneer Institute) credential holder. She has spent more than 40 years evaluating fine jewelry, antiques, collectibles, household contents, and estate assets, working closely with thousands of families, executors, attorneys, and accountants throughout her career.
Because Tom Hall Auctions also operates one of the region’s most active auction houses, our appraisals are grounded in real, current market data — not just reference guides. We see what items actually sell for, every week, which means our valuations reflect the real market rather than outdated pricing.
What We Appraise
- Fine jewelry and watches
- Antiques and fine furniture
- Artwork and sculpture
- Coins and currency
- Firearms and militaria
- Collectibles (sports memorabilia, dolls, trains, and more)
- Full household and estate contents
How the Appraisal Process Works
Step 1: Initial Consultation Contact our office to describe the item(s) or estate you need appraised, and the purpose of the appraisal (estate, insurance, tax, divorce, or donation). This helps us determine the right scope and appraisal format.
Step 2: On-Site or In-Gallery Evaluation Depending on the size of the collection, Cathy will either visit your home or property, or you can bring items to our Schnecksville gallery. Every item is examined, researched, and documented.
Step 3: Written Appraisal Report You receive a formal written report, prepared to standards accepted by courts, the IRS, insurance companies, and financial institutions — with individual item descriptions, condition notes, and supported valuations.
Step 4: Ongoing Support If your appraisal is being used for an estate or legal matter, we’re available to answer questions from attorneys, accountants, or other professionals involved in the process.
Why Choose Tom Hall Auctions for Your Appraisal
- GPPA-certified appraiser with 40+ years of experience
- Backed by nearly 50 years of real, active auction market data
- Trusted by attorneys, accountants, and financial institutions throughout the Lehigh Valley
- Appraisals accepted for estate, tax, insurance, and legal purposes
- The same team that appraises your items can also help you sell them, if desired — no need to coordinate between separate appraisal and auction companies
FAQ
Who performs personal property appraisals at Tom Hall Auctions?
Appraisals are performed by Catherine “Cathy” Keys, Vice President of Tom Hall Auctions and a Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) with more than 40 years of experience.
What is a GPPA-certified appraiser?
GPPA stands for Graduate Personal Property Appraiser, a professional certification for appraisers who evaluate antiques, jewelry, collectibles, and other personal property to recognized industry standards.
What can a personal property appraisal be used for?
Certified appraisals from Tom Hall Auctions can be used for estate settlement, estate tax filings, insurance coverage or claims, divorce settlements, charitable donation substantiation, and equitable distribution among family members.
What types of items does Tom Hall Auctions appraise?
Tom Hall Auctions appraises fine jewelry, antiques, artwork, coins, firearms, collectibles, and full household or estate contents.
Do I need to bring items to Tom Hall Auctions for an appraisal, or can you come to me?
Depending on the size and scope of the collection, Cathy Keys can either visit your home or property, or you can bring items to the Tom Hall Auctions gallery in Schnecksville.
Can Tom Hall Auctions also sell items after they’ve been appraised?
Yes. As a full-service auction house, Tom Hall Auctions can appraise and, if you choose, sell your items — eliminating the need to coordinate between a separate appraiser and auction company.
