O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc.

O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc. (OTE) is an American independent art appraisal and valuation firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1932 by James St. Lawrence O'Toole at the height of the Great Depression, the firm describes itself as the largest in-house independent art appraisal firm in the United States. It provides appraisal reports, litigation support and expert witness testimony, and specialty services such as a proprietary art leasing program, retrospective appraisals and mediation. OTE's client base spans museums, corporations, law firms, insurance companies and dedicated collectors. Its appraisal reports are used to resolve insurance claims and disputes, and the firm states that its work adheres to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the standards of the American Society of Appraisers, and those of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The firm's team includes specialists in fine and decorative arts, rugs, fine wine, jewelry and other personal property. The company's founder, James St. Lawrence O'Toole, was born in Baltimore in 1895, studied at Trinity College in Dublin, and worked in Europe for Jacques Seligman & Fils before establishing the firm. He was a pioneer in the appraisal field and a founder of the American Society of Appraisers. During the Second World War he served in the U.S. Army in Italy and was a member of the O.S.S. After the war he returned to New York and ran an eponymous gallery whose clients included European nobility and international celebrities. By the 1980s Elin Lake-Ewald had become a partner and the firm had offices in Manhattan and Venice. OTE continues to operate as a private firm and publishes commentary on the art market through its 'OTE Opinion' section.

O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc. (OTE) was established in 1932 by James St. Lawrence O'Toole at the height of the Great Depression. O'Toole, born in Baltimore in 1895, studied at Trinity College in Dublin and spent several years in Europe working for Jacques Seligman & Fils, a prominent art dealer. He became a pioneer in the field of appraising and was a founder of The American Society of Appraisers. During the Second World War, O'Toole joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Italy at Vatican City. He also became a member of the O.S.S., the forerunner of the CIA, parachuting into France at one crucial point and evading capture as a spy. After the war he returned to New York and his eponymously named gallery, where his clients included members of the European nobility as well as international celebrities in the worlds of society and politics. By the 1980s, Elin Lake-Ewald had become a partner and the firm had offices in Manhattan and Venice, where Mr. O'Toole lived half the year. The firm grew and expanded, morphing into its current status as the largest in-house independent art appraisal firm in the nation. Over the years OTE has prided itself on its ability to tackle difficult valuation cases that require acute scholarship and innovative approaches to appraisal problems. The firm continues to operate from New York, providing appraisals and related services to clients nationwide and internationally. Its website features an 'OTE Opinion' section with commentary on the art market, including topics such as the Winter Antiques Show, Louis Vuitton exhibitions, the global art market, the American Art Fair, Christie's auctions, furniture and the domestic interior, and the 1939 New York World's Fair.

• 1932

  James St. Lawrence O'Toole establishes O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc. in New York at the height of the Great Depression.

• 1895

  Founder James St. Lawrence O'Toole is born in Baltimore.

• O'Toole serves in the U.S. Army in Italy and joins the O.S.S. during World War II.

• After the war, O'Toole returns to New York and his eponymous gallery.

• By the 1980s, Elin Lake-Ewald becomes a partner and the firm has offices in Manhattan and Venice.

Independent, scholarly and discreet appraisal firm serving museums, corporations, law firms, insurers and collectors; emphasizes innovative methodology and adherence to USPAP, ASA and RICS standards.

• Fine and decorative art appraisal reports

  Precisely tailored appraisals for private and institutional clients, adhering to USPAP, ASA and RICS standards.

• Damage and loss appraisals

  Appraisals for insurance claims and loss reconciliation.

• Collateral value appraisals

  Valuations for lending or collateral purposes.

• Litigation support and expert witness testimony

  Assistance throughout the litigation process and expert witness testimony.

• Proprietary Art Leasing Program

  A bespoke service beyond conventional appraisals.

• Retrospective appraisals

  Appraisals of value as of a past date.

• Mediation services

  Mediation for art-related disputes.

1. 1O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc. — Homepageotoole-ewald.com
2. 2Our History — O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc.otoole-ewald.com
3. 3Services — O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc.otoole-ewald.com
4. 4About Us — O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc.otoole-ewald.com
5. 5Wikidata — O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc.wikidata.org