In my view, the first concern of an advisor is to get to know the client, his tastes, his collecting objectives and the financial considerations which will support those objectives. In many cases, the advisor can help the client discover, articulate and focus upon a particular period of art history, a style or range of works of art. The advisor serves an influential role, but his goal should be to encourage the collector to develop his own personal vision of the collection. The advisor can initiate consideration of a field of collecting, propose a particular work of art, support the collector in his search. The final decision regarding acquisition or any other matter related to the collection rests, of course, with the client. It is the collector who will live with and enjoy what he has acquired.

The advisor's dedication is to the client's satisfaction and real pleasure in his collection. The advisor's contribution is his experience and a thorough understanding of art, the market, and the goals of his client. The medium is time. A retainer, the amount of which has been discussed and agreed upon, is paid by the client to the advisor. Alternatively a commission can be established by the client and by the advisor should the client prefer, or if the scope of the collecting project suggests such an alternative. Of course, other types of financial and professional relationships can be developed which may best suit the client's needs or objectives. Flexibility and reliability are basic to the service I offer to beginning and experienced collectors.