Joseph M. Cornell, CMA, ASA, ISA

Mr. Cornell is from a different era. Sadly, that era doesn’t pertain as readily to the modern one. He is very uncomfortable using any technology — such as email (let alone a smartphone). He is rude — wouldn’t even help me bring my art up to his porch (not his office) by holding doors open for me. He is forgetful — repeatedly asking for my mailing address. It in fact appeared to be a burden for him to mail things as he preferred that I drove to him to pick things up that he should have sent with the appraisal (yes he mails appraisals via the postal service and will not send electronically). His favorite phrase is «you have to pay me for my time». There are lawyers who are not as dogmatic in using that line.
With regard to the work performed, it’s barely useful. Nevermind the accuracy of the values, the report is a 17 page resume with textbook definitions and a single page regarding the items being appraised (a page that doesn’t have a signature). The descriptions of the items are copies of whatever desription is provided to him without any additional insights or pictures from his own examination (because he didn’t examine the items). It is hardly what one would expect for the for the price, a fee that exceeds mid-​level attorneys.
Perhaps there was a time when his services were considered so valuable and his manner of business so common as to be acceptable. Perhaps it was when he was just starting — long before I was born. The only reason he is getting two stars is because I have far more decency than him.