NATIONAL APPRAISAL CONSULTANTS - Key Persons
Mr. Kathenes has appeared on over 160 television and radio programs and has been quoted in over twenty magazines and newspapers including the New York Times, Business Philadelphia, Successful Meetings, and USA Today. He is also the author of the syndicated column The Autograph Detective and is the host of Hobby World, a weekly Cable TV program relating to hobbies and collectibles.
Brian Kathenes is a Managing Partner of National Appraisal Consultants, L.L.C. He is Chairman of the New York Winter Antique Show Vetting Committee on Autographs, Manuscripts & Rare Books and is responsible for vetting all autographs, documents and manuscripts displayed and sold at this most prestigious show. Mr. Kathenes has presented seminars and symposia for over 172,000 participants and clients including the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) CAPP Course 101, ISA's Advanced Appraisal Report Writing, and Appraisal Techniques and Practical Information for Archivists and Librarians from the National Archives and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Job Titles:
- Production Supervisor, Warehouse Supervisor, Materials Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Education Instructor ( Core Course in Appraisal Studies & Requalification )
Job Titles:
- Associate Appraiser of Personal Property, Specialist in Sports Memorabilia
Jonathan got his introduction to the appraisal business as a sales floor runner and as an assistant appraiser with the family auction house. "Unpacking boxes that came in could be exciting because sometimes you didn't know what you'd find." An avid sports fan, he played soccer in college and worked in publishing, first as a newspaper reporter and then as a publisher when he launched GreenPitch - a regional soccer magazine. He obtained a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University in 2011 but when the publishing industry contracted he jumped into appraisal work. A member of the International Society of Appraisers, he completed the ISA Core Course in 2013 and the 15-Hour Personal Property USPAP course in 2015.
Jonathan specializes in sports collectibles and is an expert in soccer memorabilia. A former college player, and recent coach with Ursinus College and the New York Red Bulls, he launched GreenPitch - a regional soccer magazine in 2003.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Appraiser of Personal Property
Karen Murray is an appraisal associate of National Appraisal Consultants, LLC, and was a member of the International Society of Appraisers. She has been involved in antiques and auctions for most of her life, having grown up working in a family owned auction house. She went on to teach elementary school and raise a family, but felt a calling to return to appraising and the world of antiques and collectibles. She has successfully completed core course training with the ISA, as well as the Antiques & Residential Contents Course and is current in her USPAP designation. In addition to the research and appraisal work she does with NAC, Karen also assists at several local auction companies. She is a generalist appraiser with specific interest in pottery, ceramics and art. Karen has recently moved to the Pensacola, FL area, where she continues her work in appraisals and auction listing.
Professional Experience
Associate Appraiser: National Appraisal Consultants, LLC (January 2015-Present)
Owner/Buyer for Online Vintage Shop: www.PixieVintageHome.etsy.com (February 2015-January 2018)
Assistant for online auction listings: Alderfer Auctions, Hatfield, PA (2017-present)
Auction Administrative Assistant: Spring City, PA (2014-2017)
Office Assistant/Auction Clerk (1985-1993) Branchville, NJ
Job Titles:
- Senior Partner
- Senior Partner, NAC Having
Leon is a lifelong appraiser having been almost literally born in the antique and auction business in northern New Jersey. After gaining educational degrees (B.A. and M.T.S.) he joined the family firm in Branchville in 1974 as auction manager and appraiser. A few years later he joined the International Society of Appraisers at their inception. He quickly became accredited with both ISA and AAA (Appraisers Association of America) receiving his certification in Antiques & Residential Contents.
He has held almost every position within ISA including being one of the original board members, chair of the Foundation for Appraisal Education, and director of education. He has written, edited, and taught almost all the courses at ISA-both core and advanced. He has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Centenary College (University) and the University of Washington. He is currently a USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) certified instructor and teaches classes, webinars, and seminars across the US.
He is Senior Partner of NAC and is sought for his expertise, particularly in appraisal methodology and advanced appraisal theory. His specialty is ever expanding from the mundane to the unusual and weird. He has been used by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, the Department of US Homeland Security, the FBI, US Marshall's Service, and provides appraisals on a regular basis that go before the IRS, the US Federal and State Courts, and insurance arbitration umpires.
Leon enjoys sharing his knowledge and likes to make it enjoyable and understandable. He co-hosted of the lively and entertaining "Value This with Brian and Leon" - a nationally syndicated public radio antiques and collectibles radio talk show.
Experience
President, Castner Estate Service, Inc (Appraisals), 2003-present
Head of Appraisal Department, Castner's - 1985-2005
President & Head Auctioneer, Castner's, Branchville, NJ - 1990-2004
Senior Partner, National Appraisal Consultants, Hope, NJ, Wilmington, NC, PA- 1992-2007
Senior Partner, NAC, Philadelphia, PA (Schwenksville), 2008-present
Director of Education, International Society of Appraisers, 2010-2016
Education
Leon Castner is a Senior Partner of National Appraisal Consultants, a firm specializing in personal property appraisals and appraisal consulting, insurance reports & research, pretrial consultation, and IRS tax-related appraisal matters. He holds a CAPP in Appreciable Residential Contents and has been an adjunct professor of Fine and Decorative Arts at Centenary University.
Mr. Castner is a Registered Contractor for RTC, FDIC, US Marshall's Office, Attorney General, TASA, and has provided major appraisals for these organizations. He is the co-presenter of Appraising the Appraisal - a professional development seminar for insurance agents, claims managers, and trust officers, and is a Panel Member of the American Arbitration Association.
Leon is also past Chairman of ISA Designation and Review, and past President of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers. He has been honored with The Auctioneer of the Year Award by the New Jersey State Society of Auctioneers and has received the ISA's Outstanding Member of the Year Award.
RING Silver will ring-similar to cut glass. This works for coins, but not really good for tableware. For coins, hold the coin in the middle with one hand and ping it with the other. It should ring.