A private record of the art, antiques and keepsakes in your life. Photograph a possession, or write down one you already know. Heirloom gathers what is known about it — with an estimate when there is evidence for one — keeps its story for the people you trust, and shows you what you own in one place that adds up.
Why Heirloom
Your accounts have an app — balances, history, a total that updates itself. Meanwhile the painting over the mantel, your grandfather's watch, the shelf of first editions: no record of what they are, where they came from, or who they are meant for. Heirloom is that record — one place where the things you own are written down, with their photos and their stories, and an estimate where there is evidence for one.
Two Ways In
Most apps assume you know nothing about your things. Collectors know better. Heirloom is built for both, and never makes the expert sit through the beginner flow.
Found it in the attic. Inherited it. Just curious.
Take a few photos. The Advisor reads the marks, labels and details it can see, says plainly what it cannot tell, and asks a question only when the answer would change something. An estimate appears when there is evidence for one — many keepsakes have no market value, and that is fine.
You're the collector. You did the research years ago.
Catalogue it yourself — maker, provenance, condition, your own valuation. Your word is the record, and Heirloom never rewrites it. The Advisor stays out of the way unless you ask for a second look or for comparable sales.
How It Works
Take the steps in any order and stop whenever you like. A record is complete when you say it is, and it never needs a price to count.
A few photos, or what you already know. Either is a real start, and you can add the other later.
Maker, period and materials where the evidence shows them, an estimate when it supports one, and a plain note of what cannot be told from the photos.
Who it came from and what it meant, saved with the object in your own words. Relatives you invite can add their accounts beside yours.
Say what you need it for — an insurance conversation, a family or executor record, or working with someone else — and Heirloom prepares it, keeping a copy of what left. Note who each object is meant for, and, when you choose, pass a record to a named person.
What Heirloom Does
Reads what your photos show — marks, labels, materials, condition — and says plainly what it cannot tell. It never decides whether an object is genuine; that question belongs to a specialist you choose. An estimate is offered only when there is evidence for one, and it is labelled as an estimate, never dressed up as an appraisal. Between visits it keeps a short review list rather than a growing backlog: work that finished, what is waiting on you, and changes that affect a decision you already made — each one with a way to deal with it now, later, or not at all.
One place that says what you own and what you are tracking: “18 of 24 assets included”, split into figures backed by recorded sales and figures you entered yourself. Tap any number to see exactly which records are in it. Objects with no established value are counted as unknown, never as zero, and currencies are never added together. When you sell, give away or lose something, say so — the record and its history stay, and your total stops counting it.
Catalogue, tag, search and filter across everything you own — photos, documents, dimensions, serial numbers and your own notes on each record. Filters for room, person, missing story and unvalued objects show what still needs attention, without turning a keepsake into a task.
When you photograph an object, a search for comparable sales is part of how the Advisor reads it; on a record you write down yourself, nothing runs until you ask. When comparable sales can be found, each is shown with its source, its date and whether it sold or was only listed, so you can keep it or set it aside. A research chat covers maker histories and context.
For a record that deserves professional eyes, ask for an introduction to an independent appraiser or dealer — for an identification, a valuation, advice on selling, or a written appraisal from an independent professional. You see exactly what will be shared before it goes, and they can reply without an account. The directory is small during beta. Heirloom lists nothing and nothing is put up for sale. No money changes hands through Heirloom: any sale is between you and the specialist you chose.
Note who each object is meant for and who should receive your records. That list is private and grants no one access to your account. When you are ready, pass an individual record to a named person; once they accept they keep a snapshot — the object’s name, identification and one photo — while the story, values and documents stay on your record. When you need to do something with the records, start from the objects and say what it is for — an insurance conversation, a family or executor record, or working with someone else. Heirloom names only what is missing for that purpose, lets you go ahead without it, and keeps a copy of exactly what left the app, so you can see later what was sent and what has changed since.
Your collection is yours. Records are scoped to your account, photos live in private storage, family sharing is by invitation with a named role, showing an object publicly is a choice you make per item, and you can export or delete everything from Settings.
Who It's For
Document the collection you know inside out. Your attributions, your valuations, your provenance — organised, searchable and ready to export.
Grandma's china, the painting from the estate, the watch in the drawer. Find out what is known about them, keep the story of who they came from, and share the record with the family — whether or not any of it has a market value.
Bring an inventory, an insurance conversation or a family record to your insurer, attorney or executor. Heirloom prepares it from the objects you pick, tells you what is missing for that purpose, and keeps a copy of what you sent. The files are yours to hand over; Heirloom does not open your account to an executor or an heir.
Receive introductions from collectors who want an identification, a valuation or a written appraisal from an independent professional in your specialty. No account is needed to reply.
Heirloom is in beta on the web, with iOS and Android to follow. Leave your email and we will write when there is a place for you.