Hidden Gems: Meet Courtney Ahlstrom Christy of Ahlstrom Appraisals LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Ahlstrom Christy.

Hi Courtney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Becoming a material culture appraiser isn’t a career you typically hear about at a job fair. My journey began with a love of making art and visiting museums as a kid, which led to studying art history at university. While completing graduate school, I worked at an auction house and first learned about the possibility of appraising as a livelihood. It’s been quite the adventure with no two days alike.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Any path worth its while will have a few bumps in the road. But it’s because of those challenges that I have learned the most and am better prepared for the next unexpected curveball. One perennial lesson is to trust your intuition.

We’ve been impressed with Ahlstrom Appraisals LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ahlstrom Appraisals LLC provides formal valuations of cultural objects – from fine art to rare books. In recent years, I have become especially involved in appraising archives. The rewarding feeling of having helped preserve legacies has made me increasingly interested in the collecting world of manuscripts and ephemera. With history always in the making, items will continue to appear “in the wild” and need discernment to be wisely handled.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are so many people who have helped me along the way. From family and friends to artists and fellow appraisers. And even clients who gave me a chance when I was starting out.

To name everyone would be akin to giving an Oscar speech! But I would especially encourage emerging professionals to remember that relationships are so important to foster and nurture. It’s often a small world where a network of people who support one another is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ahlstromappraisals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahlstromappraisals/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-ahlstrom-christy/

Image Credits
Photo courtesy of Courtney Ahlstrom Christy.