Auctions have a language and a rhythm all their own, and it’s easy to feel like an outsider the first time you attend one — whether you’re bidding or selling. This section is built for anyone who wants to understand how auctions actually work, without the jargon.
You’ll find explanations of bidding strategy, reserve versus no-reserve sales, how value gets determined in real time (not just on paper), and honest looks at what makes an auction house trustworthy versus one to avoid. Some of it comes from questions I’ve fielded from first-time bidders; some of it comes from lessons I wish someone had told me earlier in my own career.
Jason’s Notebook: I Wanted It to Be Real
Jason’s Notebook: I Wanted It to Be Real By Jason R. Roske What a collection of 19th-century photographs taught me about excitement, expertise, and knowing when to question your own conclusions. A few weeks ago, [...]
Every Painting Has a Provenance. So Does Every Seller.
Every Painting Has a Provenance. So Does Every Seller. One recent email reminded me that the most important thing you evaluate before buying art isn't always the artwork itself. By Jason R. Roske - KC [...]
What I Told a High Schooler About Finding Value in Antiques
What I Told a High Schooler About Finding Value in Antiques By Jason R. Roske Over the weekend, we received an email from a high school student named Adeline. She has been going to estate [...]
The $100,000 Beer Can That Wasn’t
The $100,000 Beer Can That Wasn’t By Jason R. Roske Every auctioneer knows the feeling. You list something with modest expectations. It’s interesting, it’s collectible, but it’s not the headline piece. Then you receive an [...]
Are We the Best or Worst Auction House in Kansas City?
Are We the Best or Worst Auction House in Kansas City? By Jason R. Roske It’s been a week of extremes. In one breath, my company was praised in Maine Antique Digest for the quality [...]
Honest Stories, Trusted Sellers, Real Results: The Power of Authentic Auctions
Honest Stories, Trusted Sellers, Real Results: The Power of Authentic Auctions Using tomorrow’s tools to honor yesterday’s treasures — and connect with today’s buyers. In a world where AI writes product descriptions, apps generate personal [...]
It Can Take Years to Choose the Right Auction Company – And That’s OK
It Can Take Years to Choose the Right Auction Company - And That’s OK When the Time Is Right, You’ll Know Some of the best client relationships we’ve built didn’t begin with a phone call [...]
Unlocking Auction Success: How the KC Auction & Appraisal Company Reaches Competitive Bidders Nationwide
Unlocking Auction Success: How KC Auction & Appraisal Company Reaches Competitive Bidders Nationwide The January Antiques & Decoratives Auction at KC Auction & Appraisal Company delivered strong bidding activity, reinforcing our ability to connect consignors [...]
Should I Use an Online Appraisal Service?
By Stacey Roske Recently a customer asked me to recommend an online appraisal service. A recent check of the search engines turned up several – however – would I recommend one? Not specifically, but if [...]