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Bio
As Director of Appraisal and Auction Services for Skinner, LaGina Austin leads Skinner’s efforts to assist clients interested in consigning property for auction. She also directs appraisal services, assisting clients in need of various types of appraisals, including Fair Market Value Appraisals, Replacement Value Appraisals, and auction estimates.
As an experienced generalist appraiser and auctioneer, LaGina evaluates and brings to auction a wide range of material, including American and European antiques, fine art, jewelry, ephemera and collectibles. In her former role as a Specialist in the Skinner Americana department, she also took part in Skinner’s “Appraisal Days” for various benefit causes, identifying what turned out to be a $250,000 painting during her very first Appraisal Day!
Prior to Skinner, LaGina ran the Eclectic Auction department at Garth’s Auctioneers and Appraisers in Ohio. She also served as an editor for the Antique Review covering antiques shows and auctions throughout the country.
A native of the South, LaGina grew up working in her parents’ antiques shop and auction business, doing everything from running the store to clerking at auctions, eventually auctioneering at sales during her college years. She particularly enjoys Americana, needlework and handcrafted textiles, and art pottery.
LaGina serves as auctioneer for various benefit auctions and is on the board of overseers of the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Lyon College in Arkansas, and a master of arts in history from the University of Central Arkansas. She received training as an auctioneer at the Missouri Auction School.
Appraisal Videos
Watch LaGina Austin on the PBS TV series Antiques Roadshow:
Dunbar Beverage Cart, ca. 1954
APPRAISED VALUE: $3,000-$10,000
English Abalone-veneered Tea Caddy, ca. 1883
APPRAISED VALUE: $3,000-$5,000
Black Forest Carved Shoe Inkwell, ca. 1900
APPRAISED VALUE: $700-$900
French Art Deco Compact, ca. 1920
APPRAISED VALUE: $800-$1,200
Inlaid Cherry Work Table, ca. 1810
APPRAISED VALUE: $6,000-$8,000
Edwardian Center Table, ca. 1910
APPRAISED VALUE: $800-$1,200
1913 Robert Prenzel Carved Bellows
APPRAISED VALUE: $3,000-$5,000
Viennese Enameled Jewelry Box, ca. 1900
APPRAISED VALUE: $1,000-$1,500