Memorabilia Appraisal Case Studies

When you own a valuable collection, it is essential to have it appraised so you can obtain insurance to protect it. I was introduced to Michael through a friend—after conducting due diligence and understanding his reputation and knowledge base, I can say there is no one like Michael Osacky. He flew to Los Angeles and spent a day evaluating, analyzing, and photographing each item to thoroughly catalog and appraise my collection. Not only do I have a complete record of every item, but I also have an identifiable index with descriptions and appraised values that can be forwarded to insurance companies for clear and appropriate valuation.

Andy H., Los Angeles, CA

When my Dad died almost fifty years ago, I inherited his collection of team-signed baseballs from the New York Yankees. The collection was striking since they covered one of the golden ages of the team (1940s through the 1960’s) and contained some of the most important names in baseball history. More importantly, many of the players were good friends of my Dad’s and there were so many family connections. I had no intention of selling the collection but I wanted an appraisal for insurance purposes.

I first met Michael when he spoke at my Manhattan-based club. Based on his presentation, credentials and sterling reputation, I asked Michael to appraise my collection. When we met, he was very personable, kind and methodical. Within a short period, he delivered a thorough appraisal of the collection, complete with photographs. I am happy to have trusted Michael and am thoroughly satisfied with his work. A pleasure to work with. Highly recommended.

Ed H., New York City

Michael conducted a number of appraisals for me, including many rare, high-end vintage baseball and sports cards. His approach is friendly and professional, and his written explanation of how he conducts an appraisal is detailed and impressive. Michael is committed to providing a thorough final product and is always willing to make necessary adjustments to his report when needed. In my case, this happened each time I informed him I had only “one more” addition to the appraisal he was working on. It was a pleasure to work with Michael, and I endorse him with great confidence.

John A., Boston

I was first introduced to Michael a few years ago by a mutual friend. I needed my collection appraised rather quickly and didn’t have a lot of experience with the appraisal process. In a hobby full of proverbial minefields, I always exercised caution when dealing with new people. Luckily, Michael is one of the hobby’s most knowledgeable and trustworthy professionals. He is proficient, pleasant to work with, and very communicative.

Lou F., Baltimore, Maryland

I worked with Michael on authenticating and appraising a unique Babe Ruth autograph that has been passed down through my family and, therefore, held great personal importance. Michael’s confidence, approach, and professionalism made me feel at ease with an otherwise nerve-wracking process. He walked the item through the authentication process and then went above and beyond to recommend a restoration expert and facilitate the logistics surrounding the transition of the piece. Once authenticated and restored, Michael worked with me to appraise the item. I could not have been happier with the support I received during this time and am very thankful for my experience as a customer.

Shauna M., Rhode Island

I started collecting sports trading cards when I was 6 years old and have amassed over 6,000 cards in 20 years. I always viewed the cards as a source of retirement income, but I had no idea how to monetize the collection. Last year, an estate planning lawyer advised me to have my collection valued and referred me to Michael.  After our initial email contact, Michael set up a call to establish rapport, answer any questions I might have, and to gain an understanding of my collection. Michael came from his home in Chicago to my home in Connecticut and spent a day reviewing my cards.

I sat across the table from him as he perused the collection, looking at every single card, asking him questions and gaining a better understanding of the values. His analysis and valuation, which included obtaining PSA valuations for significant cards, were very thorough. After the appraisal, Michael continued to be a great help through the grading process. It was a pleasure to work with Michael. He is a gentleman. His knowledge of the players and their cards is extraordinary. I highly recommend him.

peter h., connecticut