gallery has to notify you your piece has sold. Five to ten

days is within reason.

If the gallery route is not for you, feel free to contact

the artists themselves. They may have collector's waiting in

the wings to purchase your piece. The artist will not ask

for a commission and will just put you in touch with the

other person letting the deal by arranged amongst

yourselves.

The publisher is another avenue altogether. If you

find an art dealer is for some reason, not being very

cooperative, the next step is contacting the art publisher.

Art dealers who understand what you want will have little

trouble providing the contact information for an artist's

publisher. Contacting the publisher directly is also

helpful when tracking the current value for an artist,

especially one who has changed publishers since your

purchase. You may also own an artist whose work is older

and outside the normal style of what many galleries carry

and they will not know how to value the piece. Your best

resource again is the artist's art publisher.

Should you find your work has become an antique or

master value item, contact a Certified Art Appraiser.

Certified art appraisers are professionals who do research

through various records tracing the artist values from when

they were first established through the current day. The

best way to find a certified art appraiser is the Internet. You

could also contacting your insurance company and ask who

they recommend you use, or your local gallery may be

helpful in locating an appraiser. But always be sure to

ask the art appraiser for referrals you can contact

and be sure to call these people and ask about their

experience with the service.