On Monday, December 13 at 6:00 pm, David Rago will address the American Appraisal Association as part of its series of Freeman's Lectures. He has taken Art Pottery as his topic, in a talk entitled "Bulletproof: Why Some Art Pottery Flies and Some Dies".

At the age of sixteen, David Rago began dealing in American decorative ceramics at a flea market in his home state of New Jersey. Today, he oversees the auction house that bears his name, sells privately in the field of Arts and Crafts and publishes two quarterly magazines about 20th century decorative arts and furnishings. He is an author who lectures nationally and an expert appraiser for the hit PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, where he specializes in decorative ceramics and porcelain.

David Rago entered the world of auctions in 1984. He was the first to introduce the New York's landmark Puck Building as a venue for the sale of art, antiques and design. In 1994, he relocated to Lambertville, New Jersey, midway between Philadelphia and New York City and established the Rago Arts and Auction Center, now known best as Rago's.  

Today the Rago Arts and Auction Center is New Jersey's largest and leading auction house, offering both sellers and buyers a singular blend of global reach and personal service.  It holds multi-million dollar sales of 20th century decorative arts and furnishings, fine art, jewelry, American, Asian and European estate property for an international clientele. It also conducts  appraisals and private sale. Rago's is a destination for those who seek to learn and share knowledge about art, antiques and collecting, with free valuations for personal property (from a single piece to collections and estates) and auction exhibitions in house and online.

The Appraisers Association of America is committed to ongoing education for appraisers and each season organizes a six-part slide lecture series at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, given by specialists in the fine and decorative arts and focusing on specific areas in depth. Within the context of the talk the expert provides historical background, an overview of the field, establishes current values and trends, addresses problems of copies and forgeries and often considers a variety of issues including conservation, as well as insuring the appraised property. With each talk members of the audience receive bibliographies and current reference material prepared by the speaker. Following the lecture there is a reception providing networking and social opportunities for members of the audience of appraisers, dealers, collectors, and curators. 

The Salmagundi Club is located at Fifth Avenue at 12th Street, New York City. Seating is Limited. Reservations are recommended. $20 General Admission (AAA/ISA/ASA/Salmagundi Club Members free)