Authority on Appraisals

Heirloom china, old furniture, grandma’s silverware – what is it all worth?

Heirloom china, old furniture, grandma’s silverware – what is it all worth? Plenty of people call themselves appraisers, but when you want a professional whose information comes from more than just a guidebook and a few internet searches, Mike Ratcliffe is the person to call.

Mike’s passion goes back to when he was a teenager with a part-time job cleaning a local antiques shop. He loved the old furniture, and his family’s long heritage of fine cabinetmaking helped him identify really good pieces. Thirty years later, he now specializes in documentation and appraisal of 19th-century furniture by cabinetmakers such as Belter, Meeks, Roux, Linke and Sormani.

In addition to furniture, Mike appraises nearly all other residential contents - china, glassware, silver, artwork and sculptures, clocks, costume jewelry and vintage clothing. The only items he does not focus on are modern firearms, coins and stamps.

Mike is certified as an expert court witness for federal probate, estate planning, charitable donations, damage claims and homeowner’s insurance. He is also a member of the International Society of Appraisers, an organization that requires professional coursework and a strict code of ethics.

Mike cautions that many people may soon face difficulty with their tax deductions for charitable donations. New laws implemented in August of 2007 require taxpayers to provide a qualified appraisal for all items claimed as a tax deduction for $5,000 or more. .

Giving his clients extra-special treatment is one of Mike’s favorite aspects of his work. He once appraised an elderly woman’s vintage china, silverware and stemware; each was designated to a different family member in her estate. As Mike was working, she reminisced about the elegant table setting everyone had cherished in the beautiful, historic home where the family once lived. Mike located the perfect vintage tablecloth and positioned it on the woman’s table, along with the dinnerware and a portrait of her family’s former house. He then took a photograph and sent a copy to each family member.

Another branch of Mike’s business is estate sales. He and partner Margra Scheibe conduct sales in Tulsa, Creek, Osage, Rogers, Okmulgee and Cherokee counties. They liquidate most merchandise through traditional tag sales, but unique items - those that would benefit from a national audience - are sold online. “Prices go down each day at tag sales,” he explains. “At online auctions, bids go up.” One of the most notable online treasures they sold was a massive, one-of-a-kind art deco chandelier that once adorned a bygone Tulsa hotel.

Mike’s favorite estate sales are those that have Oklahoma or Tulsa memorabilia. “Being a native Oklahoman, I’m proud to do them,” he says. He recalls one in Beggs that featured Oklahoma-made Western art and artifacts. In Chelsea, he sold the contents of a 1913 Sears Craftsman home, all of which were original to the house.

The third and most recent branch of Mike’s business evolved from clients seeking advice on their interior design challenges. For some, it was how to blend a family heirloom into a contemporary environment. Others sought guidance on how to best display their latest antique treasure. Mike can help by offering a simple consultation or by providing remodeling, painting, draperies and general contractor services.

Whether you need an expert appraisal, an estate liquidation or help with interior design, call Mike Ratcliffe at 230-8310 or Margra at 519-6801.

You can reach him Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

For more information, contact

Mike Ratcliffe Appraisals

(918) 230-8310

or
(918) 519-6801