October: Seminar on 18th and 19th Century Philadelphia Furniture

The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers will hold a one-day, hands-on Furniture Seminar at Girard College in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The seminar will be conducted by Philip D. Zimmerman, Ph.D., a widely-recognized museum and decorative arts consultant.

Dr. Zimmerman, whose most recent book is American Federal Furniture and Decorative Arts From the Watson Collection, will base his seminar on the 18th and 19th century Philadelphia furniture in the Stephen Girard Collection in the College museum. The furniture (1780-1830) was used by Girard, a millionaire banker and financier of the Revolutionary era, in his 23 North Water Street townhouse. Happily, we also have his archives listing the maker, year and purchase price for many of the pieces.

Dr. Zimmerman, who earned his Ph.D. at Boston University in American and New England Studies, is a former curator of the Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester, NH. An authority on early American furniture, he served as Director of the Historical Society of York County and later as Director of the museum collections division at Winterthur.

Tuition for the seminar, which includes continental breakfast and lunch, is $175 for ASA members and candidates, $195 for all others. Additional information and the registration form, returnable with payment by October 1, 2008, is contained in the seminar brochure [PDF: 15 KB]. Early registration is strongly recommended for this unique seminar.

November Meeting & ME210 Report Preparation Course

The Philadelphia Chapter and the Machinery & Technical Specialties (M&TS) Committee will offer a one day Report Preparation Course (ASA ME210) to coincide with the Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The course, which qualifies for eight hours of ASA Continuing Education Credit, will be taught by Charles C. Dixon, ASA.

The course, which will be useful to candidates and seasoned appraisers alike, will integrate the report writing requirements of the Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the American Society of Appraisers. Directed primarily to M&TS and Personal Property appraisers, it will cover:

•  Report objectives •  USPAP requirements •  ASA report requirements •  Reviewers' requirements •  Typical problems with reports

•  Report preparation •  Report self-audit •  M&TS reviewer's checklist •  A sample report

Tuition for the course is $235 for ASA members, $255 for all others. Registration information is available on the ASA National website. Additional information about the course is available from the instructor.