A Question of Value

“Deeply thoughtful and elegant in its forthright simplicity, A Question of Value is one of the best books on collecting in many years.”—Antiques and the Arts Weekly

“In his new memoir . . . the gavel-wielding philosopher shares wisdom gleaned from his many years on the road and in the salesroom. [Brunk’s] empathetic tales capture the comedy, pathos, joy, and ultimate mystery that is collecting.”—The Magazine Antiques

“A Question of Value is a fun and enjoyable read that not only offers a behind-the-scenes look into second-hand sales and auctions but also earnestly revisits the many lessons Brunk learned from observing and dealing with personal accumulations and the ephemera of our daily lives. No matter whether you are an experienced collector or are just curious about how auctions work, Brunk’s anecdotes and perceptive reflections will leave you with a new appreciation for the objects we hold dear and the stories embedded within them.”—H-Material-Culture

“Robert Brunk’s remarkable story of the creation of his regional auction house in Asheville, North Carolina, is a testament to his hard work, intelligence, perseverance, and integrity. This is a fascinating read!”—William W. Stahl Jr., vice chairman of Sotheby’s Decorative Arts, North America (retired)

“Bob Brunk’s essays, like the auction business he chronicles, bring fresh life to old artifacts. In fact, his reminiscences made me see objects anew: as the guardians of secrets and stories. This is a book for the unconscious collector in each of us.”—Elizabeth Kostova, author of The Historian and The Shadow Land

“This clever and inventive book is as much an affirmation of humanism as it is a question of value. I look forward eagerly to a second volume.”—William Underwood Eiland, director emeritus, Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia

“A Chinese vase found at a yard sale sells for $1.2 million in Asheville and then $7.4 million in Hong Kong. That’s the headline. Want the details? An emotional thrill ride for antique lovers, Bob Brunk’s essay collection tells this story and those of thirty other fine objects.”—Pete Prunkl, Maine Antique Digest

“One of the most entertaining stories I've read about the search for fine antiques. Readers will laugh in amazement as Brunk discovers incredible objects and encounters fascinating people. I already want a second volume of his adventures.”—Bradford Rauschenberg, emeritus director, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts

“I trusted Mr. Brunk from the first sentence to the last. Kind, compassionate, and willing to preserve his own moments of human failure, he doesn’t make himself the center of the book—an extremely rare and valuable trait in a book of personal essays.”—Marjorie Sandor, author of The Late Interiors: A Life under Construction