Mark Moran has seen almost everything you can see when it comes to antiquing.  He is the author of over a dozen antique reference guides and has some fame due to the television show Antiques Roadshow.  Due to his immense success he has taken a break from writing and for the past few years has been going on tour on his "Antique Appraisal Event".  The events have been incredibly successful.  Several different organizations have sought after Mark Moran: libraries, historical societies and other organizations have embraced his presentations.  

These events started in 2011 and this year, 2014, already 100 events have been scheduled and even more are expected in 2015.  At the events attendees can register in advance to have an item appraised.  Mark Moran shares the items history and appraises its value.  

Mark Moran says that from a very early age he was trained to spot form and color design.  His father was a painter and he worked with "his work on the walls of their house and art books lying around."  Moran started as a collector in the 70s, became a dealer in the 80s and in the 90s started writing about antiques.  As of this year Moran has written 27 book on antiquing.  Just about anything is within Moran's domain of appraisal: fine art, paintings, glassware, ceramics, statuary and more.  

Moran stays in the Upper Midwest and says he sees a lot of trunks, furniture, and carvings from Scandinavian influence.   At the event it is only $15 for each item that is appraised if attendees make a reservation and pre-pay.  The only other way to have Moran appraise your item is to hire him for a personal home visit at $70/hr.