Never Too Late to Start

Spotlighting a 70-year-old art appraiser’s recent and successful career change.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cynthia Shaver, a 70-year-old senior art appraiser based in Belvedere, California. It has been edited for length and clarity. This story is part of “How the Pandemic Changed My Career,” an Insider series documenting the moves and moments that shaped people’s careers over the last two years. As seen on Insider by Perri Ormont Blumberg.

I appraise Asian art with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) as a contractor. From 1977 to 2005, I was a dealer of primarily antique Japanese textiles. The textiles drew me to Japan, where I remained as a dealer for 20 years.

The travel was the initial draw. Then I had a shop for 10 years in San Francisco, south of Market Street in the Galleria Design Center. I was traveling to Japan twice, if not three times a year to search for new inventory. Traveling alone, carrying anything, and going up and down stairs at airports and train stations became so difficult because of my multiple sclerosis.

I became an appraiser at the suggestion of a Japanese antique dealer in 2006. I work alone, or occasionally with my husband. The bonus of being an appraiser has been I really enjoy the people who collect Asian art.

On March 8, 2020, my son, who works as a bosun in the Merchant Marine, brought me to his ship, the USS Hope, harbored in San Francisco.

This was his twelfth year in this career, and I was thrilled to go aboard.

I use a wheelchair, so he needed to lift me over all the fire doors and other barriers. There was a tiny elevator on the ship, so we made it to the top deck and enjoyed a spectacular view of the Bay.

The following day, the news of the virus filled the airways, and lockdowns came soon after.

Within two weeks, I had inquires about virtual inspections of recently inherited property or help for estates that had deadlines.

Whether in a pandemic or not, people die, and estate paperwork needs to be completed on deadline. Written appraisals are legal documents that list a person’s personal property with a date of valuation and the total value of the property (and type of value used such as replacement value versus cost). If no written document is needed, such as recently inherited property, the cost is less expensive and easily accomplished virtually.

Within a month, I added the word “virtual” to my website and the geographical borders started disappearing. I started getting emails from prospective clients around the world.

Most of my services became virtual for the rest of 2020, and suddenly I was triaging estate services.

Often an estate representative has the job of dispersing personal property, and I accomplished this virtually with home consignment stores and local or national auction houses and could discuss fair market value versus estate sale value.

I had one face-to-face office appointment in the late summer, and I remember how strange it seemed. The client was less than an hour away and requested meeting in person. We had masks and doors open, but it still seemed strange after not seeing anyone for months.

With virtual appointments as an option, my office appointments have increased steadily.

Before the pandemic, I had four hours of office appointments per month. In January 2021, I started out working around 20 hours per month.

My virtual consultations generally lasted for two relaxed hours rather than one hour when face-to-face. By December 2021, I was easily doing 30 to 40 hours per month of work. With working more, life is both exhausting and exhilarating.

The biggest challenge for me has been learning how to hold virtual meetings with clients.

I asked myself before each meeting, “What background is best? What height of books do I place under my laptop? (I find “Joy Of Cooking” to be the best). Should I put on lipstick and earrings?”

But virtual meetings were also the biggest win. I could visit any museum or library I wanted to from home. I continued to attend the annual Arts of Asia lecture series given by The Society for Asian Art at The Asian Art Museum from the comfort of my home by Zoom. I also explored many museum holdings.

Some standout virtual appointments happened early in May 2020.

One morning, I had a previously arranged virtual meeting with an estate representative for a group of items in Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii. Later that same day, I had a similar consultation with someone in Ohio.

First, it was much easier than I’d anticipated, and second, my wheelchair became irrelevant.

Before the pandemic, my mobility was becoming more and more of a factor. Now, it’s not an issue at all, so I’m happy because I love what I do.

The pandemic opened another doorway for me to deliver my services and extended my work life for a few years. Virtual appointments are so common now.

Before the pandemic, I was planning on retiring sooner because it was becoming harder for me. My services were becoming more limited as my mobility became more of a factor. With the option of virtual services, this will extend my work life.

Once the pandemic ends, I’m looking forward to continuing having virtual conversations as the norm, yet also attending things in person to greet new and old acquaintances.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions or examples included in linked article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect an official policy or position of ASA or its members.

Editor’s Note: Looking to become or advance your career as a personal property appraiser? ASA has the valuable resources you need. Start your path today.