Michael Ivankovich Antiques
& Auction Co., Inc.

P.O. Box 1536 * Doylestown, PA 18901
(215)-345-6094
E-Mail: [email protected]
Wallace Nutting Picture Gallery
Wallace Nutting Furniture Gallery
Nutting-Like
Pictures Gallery
Early 20th c.
Prints Gallery
Early 20th c. Pastels Gallery


How To Interpret Our Grading Standards...
Our Condition Grading Philosophy

(You may want to print out this section to help better evaluate most lots in the Auction Catalog)

Most items in our Auction Catalog contain a Numerical Condition Grade. This Numerical Condition Grade is nothing more than our subjective, personal opinion regarding the condition of each item in the Auction. As we are keying each lot into the Auction Catalog, and while the item is literally in our hands, we make a quick observation and analysis, noting any damage, blemishes, or unique characteristics. At the same time we translate this subjective, personal opinion into a Numerical Condition Grade which is based upon our Standard 5-Point Grading System.

We are correct in our Numerical Condition Grading far more often then we are wrong and would estimate that our Numerical Condition Grades are correct to within 1/4 point nearly 100% of the time. That is, if we report that an item has a 3.75 Grading, you can rest assured that the item is most likely a 3.75, but most definitely would fall within the 3.5-4.0 range

We promise that we will always be as honest and forthright as possible with you about condition. However, we sometimes catalog as many as 1,000+ lots per Auction and honest mistakes may occur. And because we are grading things that are often nearly 100 years old, it is very possible that our opinion will differ from yours regarding condition. As a result we do not accept responsibility for any errors when evaluating or reporting condition and we cannot accept the return of any item due to your dissatisfaction with condition.

We understand that we are the eyes and ears of our Absentee and ArtFact Live bidders when it comes to condition and we want you to be happy with your purchase. We also understand that if you feel that we have mis-represented condition to you, you will not come back to bid again. And we want you to come back. Therefore we are generally more conservative in our grading, and in most cases our grading will probably be slightly more stringent than yours. But to repeat our "Return Policy" just one more time... "We do not accept responsibility for any errors when evaluating or reporting condition and we cannot accept the return of any item due to your dissatisfaction with condition...for any reason". If you are not willing to accept our company's "Return Policy" we would suggest that you attend the Auction in person rather than bidding via Absentee Bids or ArtFactLive.

 

To help you to better understand our Numerical Condition Grading the following table may serve as a helpful guide in better understanding what our Numerical Condition Grades represent:

5.0 Mint Condition...We rarely grade items "5.0"
v v
4.0 - 4.75 Means No Damage Whatsoever To Either The Picture Or The Mat
4.75 Near Mint Condition...We rarely grade items "4.75"
4.5 Extremely Good Condition...Exceptional picture, with a mat that is free of any noticeable stains or blemishes. We rarely grade items "4.5"
4.25 Very Good Condition...Excellent picture, with a mat that is free of any noticeable stains or blemishes. We seldom grade items "4.25"
4.0 Very Good Condition...Very nice picture with a mat that is free of any noticeable stains or blemishes. We often grade items "4.0"
v v
3.0 - 3.75 Means Some Mat Damage, But No Damage To The Picture
3.75 Very Minor Mat Damage...a very small stain...or a mat that is very slightly dark from age... or very minimal foxing...etc. We often grade items "3.75"
3.5 Minor Mat Damage... a smaller stain...or a mat that is somewhat dark from age or some foxing...etc. We often grade items "3.5"
3.25 Noticeable Mat Damage...a noticeable stain or mat that is fairly dark from age... or noticeable foxing...etc. We often grade items "3.25"
3.0 Major Mat Damage or Overmat... a major stain... or a mat that is quite dark from age...or major mat foxing...or an overmat concealing possible or probable damage to the original mat We often grade items "3.0"
v v
2.0 - 2.75 Means Some Picture Damage, and Probably Damage To The Mat As Well
2.75 Very Minor Picture Damage...a very small picture stain...or a picture that is very slightly dark from age...or very minimal picture foxing...or very minimal picture chip or crease...etc.
2.5 Minor Picture Damage... a smaller picture stain...or a picture that is somewhat dark from age... or some picture foxing...or a minimal picture chip or crease...etc.
2.25 Noticeable Picture Damage...a clearly noticeable picture stain...or a picture that is quite dark from age...or clearly noticeable picture foxing...or clearly noticeable picture chip or crease ...etc.
2.0 Major Picture Damage... a major picture stain... or a picture that is quite dark from age...or major picture foxing...or a major picture chip or crease...etc.
v v
1.0 - 1.75 Means "Probably Not Even Worth Bidding On"