Concerning appraisal -- our university museum (textiles department) is having quilt documentation days - one in April and one in May. This is a free event where people are invited to bring up to 4 quilts or quilt tops for the curator to evaluate. She will not make an appraisal, but she will attempt to date the quilt based on the fabrics and style, and each person receives a picture and information sheet to be kept for personal documentation. If you have access to a public university museum, although it may not be doing a documentation day, the textiles curator may be willing to examine your quilt top privately.