# Jack Holowczak — Full Profile

> Luxury goods authentication specialist, USPAP-compliant personal property appraiser, and qualified expert witness based in Toronto, Canada. Founding Director of PROVENANCE and Principal Product Architect of Veriul AI. Qualified appraiser under 26 CFR §1.170A-17(b)(2)(i)(A) — Path A (coursework and experience).

This is the long-form, agent-readable profile. The shorter overview is at `/llms.txt`.

## Identity

- **Name:** Jack Holowczak
- **Location:** Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- **Website:** https://jackholowczak.com
- **Appraisal practice page:** https://jackholowczak.com/appraisal/
- **Expert witness practice page:** https://jackholowczak.com/expert-witness/
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackholowczak
- **SEAK Expert Directory:** https://seakexperts.com/members/21662-jack-holowczak
- **Languages:** English

## Roles

- Founding Director, PROVENANCE — luxury authentication, appraisal, and advisory practice
- Principal Product Architect, Veriul AI — computer vision authentication platform for luxury goods
- Personal property appraiser — USPAP-compliant, Standards 7 & 8
- Qualified expert witness — U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions
- Published author — *Optionology* (2023)

## Credentials

- 10+ years of hands-on authentication and appraisal experience
- 2,000,000+ items examined across 50+ brands
- USPAP-compliant via Personal Property coursework through the International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
- Qualified appraiser under 26 CFR §1.170A-17(b)(2)(i)(A) via Path A (coursework + experience prong)
- Honours BA, University of Toronto; additional studies at the University of Oxford
- Published author: *Optionology* (2023)
- Listed on SEAK, Expert Institute, ForensisGroup, Round Table Group, Cahn Litigation Services, Hera Expert Referrals, ExLitem

## Appraisal Practice

USPAP-compliant personal property appraisal reports prepared on PROVENANCE letterhead in conformity with USPAP Standards 7 (Personal Property Appraisal Development) and 8 (Personal Property Appraisal Reporting).

### Report types

- Insurance replacement value appraisals for jewelry, watches, art, and collectibles (high-net-worth carriers: Chubb, AIG Private Client, Jewelers Mutual, Lavalier, and others)
- Fair market value appraisals for estate, probate, divorce equitable distribution, and date-of-death matters
- IRS Form 8283 qualified appraisals for charitable contributions over $5,000 (qualified appraiser under 26 CFR §1.170A-17(b)(2)(i)(A) Path A)
- IRS Form 706 estate tax appraisals
- Canadian deemed-disposition reports establishing CRA fair market value at death
- Divorce and equitable distribution appraisals
- Pre-sale and auction estimate advisory
- Damage and diminution-of-value reports for insurance claims
- Bankruptcy estate, customs valuation, and loan collateral
- Authentication letters on PROVENANCE letterhead

### Property categories

- Luxury handbags and goods: Hermès (Birkin, Kelly, Constance), Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada, Goyard, Bottega Veneta, Céline, Fendi, Loewe, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Chrome Hearts, plus 50+ additional brands
- Fine jewelry and watches: engagement rings and high jewelry, signed and designer pieces, vintage and antique jewelry, Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and other Swiss watches. Diamond grading prepared based on existing GIA / AGS / equivalent laboratory documentation
- Fine art: Group of Seven and Canadian historical art (Lawren Harris, Tom Thomson, A.Y. Jackson, Frederick Varley, J.E.H. MacDonald), Canadian post-war and contemporary, with broader European and American coverage by engagement
- Sterling silver and flatware: English, American, Canadian, and continental sterling — pattern identification, hallmark research, complete-set and individual valuations
- Collectibles and tangible alternative assets: classic and collector cars, fine wine and spirits, vintage workwear and heritage clothing, sports and entertainment memorabilia, design objects, pieces with Christie's and Sotheby's provenance
- Intangible alternative assets: derivatives positions, private equity and private-company stakes, financial instruments, business goodwill, and intellectual property — scoped under separate engagement letters

### Fee structure

- Single-piece USPAP-compliant reports from $350
- Multi-piece, IRS Form 8283, Form 706, estate, divorce, and Canadian deemed-disposition engagements quoted by engagement letter based on scope, time, and complexity
- Fees never contingent on appraised value, never percentage-based
- Contingent fees prohibited for charitable contribution appraisals per 26 CFR §1.170A-17(a)(9); never used for any appraisal engagement as a matter of professional practice

### Standards of value applied

- Fair market value per Treas. Reg. §1.170A-1(c)(2) and CRA equivalents (estate, donation, equitable distribution, tax)
- Replacement value (insurance scheduling)
- Orderly liquidation value (where engagement requires)
- Standard of value is established in the engagement letter and clearly stated in the report

## Expert Witness Services

Qualified expert witness for U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions specializing in authentication and valuation of luxury handbags, designer goods, collectibles, and alternative assets.

### Fee schedule

- Non-testimony services (case consultation, forensic authentication reports, written valuation analysis, appraisal reports, document review, deposition preparation): **$400 – $450 / hr**
- Testimony services (deposition, trial, arbitration, mediation): **$500 – $550 / hr**
- Standard retainer: **$3,000**
- Deposition minimum: 4 hours
- Trial minimum: full day
- Billing: 1/10th hour increments
- Travel time and expenses billed separately
- Cancellation policy and complex-matter premiums documented in the engagement letter

### Representative case types

- Counterfeiting and fraud litigation involving luxury handbags, goods, and collectibles
- Insurance claims (theft, loss, damage) involving luxury personal property
- Estate and divorce proceedings requiring fair market valuation of luxury collections
- Consumer protection and product liability — authenticity disputes on resale platforms (eBay, PayPal, StockX, etc.)
- Customs and trade disputes (classification, valuation, authenticity)
- Small claims and arbitration matters
- Flat-fee engagements available for defined-scope matters

### Deliverables

- Forensic authentication reports
- Written fair market valuation analyses
- USPAP-compliant personal property appraisal reports (Standards 7 & 8) for insurance, estate, divorce, charitable donation, and Canadian deemed-disposition purposes
- Expert opinions on authentication industry standards and resale market practices
- Expert witness testimony at deposition, trial, arbitration, and mediation

### Geographic availability

- Available in all U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions
- Remote consultation and written opinion available everywhere
- In-person testimony available nationwide; travel billed separately
- Based in Toronto, Ontario

## Authentication Services

- Written authentication letters on PROVENANCE letterhead for resale-platform disputes (eBay, PayPal, StockX) and private transactions
- Brand specialty: Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Goyard, Chrome Hearts, Rolex, Cartier, and 50+ additional brands
- Forensic-grade examination protocols
- Reports formatted for litigation, customs, and consumer protection use
- AI-assisted analysis available through Veriul AI infrastructure where appropriate

## Brand Coverage (Expert Witness & Authentication)

### Handbags and leather goods

Hermès · Louis Vuitton · Chanel · Dior · Gucci · Prada · Céline · Fendi · Balenciaga · Bottega Veneta · Goyard · Loewe · Saint Laurent · Givenchy · Valentino · Miu Miu · Burberry · Mulberry · Coach · Loro Piana · Mansur Gavriel · Jacquemus · Polène · Wandler · BY FAR · A.P.C. · Staud · plus 20+ additional houses

### Watches and fine jewellery

Rolex · Patek Philippe · Audemars Piguet · Omega · Cartier · IWC · Jaeger-LeCoultre · Panerai · Tudor · TAG Heuer · Hublot · Breitling · Richard Mille · Van Cleef & Arpels · Tiffany & Co. · Bulgari · Chopard

### Streetwear and contemporary

Chrome Hearts · Off-White · Supreme · Stone Island · Moncler · Amiri · Palm Angels · Fear of God · Essentials · Rhude · Kith · Acne Studios · Maison Margiela · Rick Owens · Canada Goose

## Methodology

### USPAP conformance

Every personal property appraisal report is prepared in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, Standards 7 and 8, as developed by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. Each report documents intended use, intended users, type and definition of value, scope of work, identification of the subject property, market analysis, valuation approach, and appraiser certification.

### Comparable sales research

Valuations are grounded in documented comparable sales drawn from primary auction data (Heritage Auctions, Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams, Heffel, Cowley Abbott, and others), licensed databases, and direct dealer-market research. All comparable sales are documented in the report for verifiability.

### Counterfeit and superfake detection

Forensic analysis of stitching density, material composition, hardware provenance, heat stamp characteristics, date codes, dust bag markings, and manufacturing indicators. AI-assisted analysis through Veriul AI infrastructure where appropriate.

### Confidentiality

All client information, property details, and appraisal results are held confidentially per USPAP Ethics Rule (Confidentiality). Disclosure occurs only as required by law, regulation, or with client authorization.

### Engagement process

Engagement letters are executed before all work commences, documenting scope of work, intended use, intended users, type of value, parties to whom disclosure is permitted, and appraiser qualifications.

## Expertise Tags

Luxury Goods Authentication · Personal Property Appraisal · USPAP-Compliant Appraisal Reports · USPAP Standards 7 and 8 · Qualified Appraiser under 26 CFR §1.170A-17 · IRS Form 8283 Charitable Donation Appraisal · IRS Form 706 Estate Tax Appraisal · Insurance Replacement Value Appraisal · Fair Market Value Appraisal · Estate and Date-of-Death Appraisal · Canadian Deemed-Disposition Appraisal · Divorce and Equitable Distribution Appraisal · Pre-Sale and Auction Estimate Advisory · Group of Seven and Canadian Art Valuation · Jewelry and Watch Appraisal · Sterling Silver and Flatware Appraisal · Expert Witness Testimony · Counterfeit Detection · Forensic Authentication · Alternative Asset Valuation · AI Product Architecture · Hermès Authentication · Louis Vuitton Authentication · Chanel Authentication · Rolex Authentication · Cartier Authentication

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Are you a qualified appraiser for IRS purposes?

Yes. Under 26 CFR §1.170A-17(b)(2)(i)(A), a qualified appraiser is one who has successfully completed professional or college-level coursework in valuing the type of property and has two or more years of experience in valuing the type of property. USPAP-compliant via Personal Property coursework through the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), plus over a decade of professional experience valuing luxury goods, fine jewelry, art, and collectibles through PROVENANCE — with more than 2 million items examined across 50+ brands — satisfies the Path A standard for IRS Form 8283 charitable contribution appraisals and Form 706 estate tax appraisals.

### How long does an appraisal take?

Typical turnaround for single-piece appraisals is 3 to 5 business days from receipt of photographs and required documentation. 24- to 48-hour rush delivery is available for an additional fee. Multi-piece estate inventories and complex provenance research are scoped to 1 to 3 weeks depending on engagement size and complexity. Timelines are confirmed in the engagement letter.

### Can you appraise from photographs?

Yes for many property types, particularly when supported by existing laboratory certificates (such as GIA grading reports for diamonds), provenance documents, receipts, and clear photographs of all relevant features and hallmarks. For high-value items requiring physical examination, in-person inspection is recommended. The scope of inspection is documented in the appraisal report per USPAP requirements.

### What is the difference between insurance value and fair market value?

Insurance replacement value reflects the cost to replace the item with one of like kind and quality at retail, used for insurance scheduling. Fair market value is the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and willing seller, neither under compulsion to act, used for estate, divorce, charitable donation, and tax purposes. The two values can differ substantially. Each appraisal report specifies the standard of value being applied.

### Do you charge contingent fees based on appraised value?

No. Appraisal fees are based on scope of work, time, and complexity. Contingent fees based on appraised value are prohibited for charitable contribution appraisals under 26 CFR §1.170A-17(a)(9), and as a matter of professional practice are not used for any appraisal engagement, regardless of intended use.

### Are you available for matters outside Toronto?

Yes. Available for matters in all U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions. Remote consultation, written opinion, and photograph-based appraisal are available everywhere. In-person inspection and testimony are available nationwide across both countries with travel billed separately.

### What are your expert witness fees?

Non-testimony work (reports, consultation, valuation): $400 – $450 / hr. Testimony work (deposition, trial, arbitration): $500 – $550 / hr. Standard retainer: $3,000. Deposition minimum: 4 hours. Trial minimum: full day. Cancellation policy and complex-matter premiums documented in the engagement letter prior to commencement.

### How do I retain Jack Holowczak?

Contact via the form at https://jackholowczak.com/expert-witness/ (for litigation matters) or https://jackholowczak.com/appraisal/ (for appraisal engagements). An engagement letter and, where applicable, a retainer agreement, are executed prior to commencement of all work.

### What is your professional background?

Over 10 years of hands-on experience in luxury goods authentication, with more than 2 million items examined across 50+ brands. Founding Director of PROVENANCE (luxury authentication, appraisal, and advisory practice). Principal Product Architect of Veriul AI (computer vision authentication platform). USPAP-compliant personal property appraiser; qualified appraiser under 26 CFR §1.170A-17 Path A. Honours BA from the University of Toronto with additional studies at the University of Oxford. Published author (*Optionology*, 2023).

## Contact

- Website: https://jackholowczak.com
- Appraisal practice (intake form): https://jackholowczak.com/appraisal/
- Expert witness practice (intake form): https://jackholowczak.com/expert-witness/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackholowczak/
- SEAK Expert Witness Directory: https://seakexperts.com/members/21662-jack-holowczak
- Other directories: Expert Institute, ForensisGroup, Round Table Group, Cahn Litigation Services, Hera Expert Referrals, ExLitem