Articles & Guides from KC Auction & Appraisal Company
Auctions, appraisals, collections, estates, and inheritance are often discussed in terms of transactions and procedures. The reality is that they are also deeply personal experiences.
Over the years, we have worked with collectors, executors, families, attorneys, and advisors facing a wide range of questions. What is this worth? Should we sell it? Who will want it? What happens next? How do we avoid mistakes? Where do we even begin?
The KC Auction & Appraisal Company Blog & Resource Center was created to help answer those questions. Here you’ll find practical guidance on auctions and appraisals, insights into changing markets and collecting trends, personal reflections from serving as an executor, stories behind remarkable collections and discoveries, and educational resources designed to help buyers, sellers, and families make informed decisions.
Some visitors arrive looking for answers about estate administration. Others are researching a collection, considering a consignment, or simply trying to better understand the auction process. Whatever brings you here, our goal is to share the knowledge, experiences, and lessons we’ve gathered through decades of working with estates, collections, fine art, jewelry, coins, antiques, and historical objects.
We invite you to explore the categories below and discover the resources most relevant to your situation. When you’re ready, schedule a free consultation.
Featured Content
Our most impactful articles — the stories, guides, and insights that best represent who we are and what we do. Whether you’re new here or a returning reader, this is a great place to start.
Throwback: Monuments Men Diaries Auction: George Leslie Stout’s WWII Journals Sold to the Smithsonian
Throwback: Monuments Men Diaries Auction: George Leslie Stout’s WWII Journals Sold to the Smithsonian By Jason R. Roske October 17, 2025 One of the great privileges of nearly twenty years in the auction business is [...]
Before You Sign an Estate Sale Contract in Kansas City: How a Bigger Gross Became a Negative Net
Before You Sign an Estate Sale Contract in Kansas City: How a Bigger Gross Became a Negative Net By Jason R. Roske Families often focus on the big number at the top of an estate [...]
The Goben Collection of Americana: Why This Auction Outperformed Expectations
The Goben Collection of Americana: Why This Auction Outperformed Expectations Not every auction is about breaking gross sales records. Some are about who shows up, how they respond, and what the material means. Our recent [...]
So You’ve Been Named an Executor – Now What?
Being named executor is an honor, but it’s also complicated and overwhelming. This series offers real stories and guidance from someone living it.
Executor & Estate Guidance
Navigating an estate can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re also grieving.
Auction Education
We break down how bidding works, what the terms mean, and how to approach auctions with confidence.
All Recent Articles
Updated: Start Low. No Reserve. Strong Prices.
Updated: Start Low. No Reserve. Strong Prices. By Jason R. Roske Why a $5 opening bid and no reserve matter more than ever in today’s auction environment I wrote about this topic not long ago, [...]
20 For 20: From Trash to Treasure, The Lost Tom of Finland Drawing
20 For 20: From Trash to Treasure, The Lost Tom of Finland Drawing By Jason R. Roske There are moments in this business when you know immediately that you’re looking at something different. And then [...]
20 For 20: COVID and the Record-Setting DST Art Collection
20 For 20: COVID and the Record-Setting DST Art Collection Throwback Series By Jason R. Roske There are auctions you plan for, there are auctions that take on a life of their own, and then [...]
20 For 20: When the World Stopped, the Auctions Didn’t
20 For 20: When the World Stopped, the Auctions Didn’t By Jason R. Roske 20 for 20: Stories from 20 Years in Auctions When I was thinking about March Madness this week, it occurred to [...]
20 For 20: The Auction That Started the KC Auction Company
20 For 20: The Auction That Started the KC Auction Company By Jason R. Roske This is the first installment of our 20 for 20 series. As KC Auction & Appraisal Company celebrates its 20th [...]
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 [...]
Position Filled!
We are excited to announce that Renee Hutcheson has joined our team! We’re very happy to welcome Renee Hutcheson to KC Auction & Appraisal Company as our new Client Services & Auction Support Coordinator. Renee [...]
Coming Soon: The Palm Springs MCM Designer Estate Auction
The Kevin Lane Design Estate West Coast Modern | Art, Graphics, and Design for Living Kevin Leigh Lane collected design as a way of life. Originally from the Kansas City area and later based in [...]