DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions has announced that Elyse Luray, a leading expert in the collectibles and pop culture field with more than 20 years of appraising experience and several television shows to her credit, has joined its growing Trusts & Estates Division. Elyse will assist executors, advisors and fiduciary professionals with their client's needs for estate evaluations, appraisals and asset divestiture. She will represent Heritage Auctions from its New York office, 445 Park Ave. (at 57th Street).

“Elyse’s accomplishments in the field of fine art and collectibles could fill two careers,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. “She is incredibly knowledgeable and her unique perspective and notable accomplishments brings a wealth of experience our clients can trust. She is a wonderful addition to the array of services we offer in New York.”

Elyse served as the department head of Collectibles for Christie’s for more than 10 years after earning a degree in art history from New Orleans' Tulane University. Since then she has collaborated and consulted with a number of specialty auction houses, handling high-profile auctions ranging from antique toys to sports collectibles and fine wine. The roster of important private collections she has managed include the archives of Lucas Films, DreamWorks, Fox Studios, Chuck Jones’ personal collection, Jimi Hendrix, Muhammad Ali, Eric Clapton, Marilyn Monroe, and Mickey Mantle.

Elyse is also the nationally-recognized host of numerous television programs on collectibles, such as HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk” and “The Longest Yard Sale,” as an appraiser on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” and as a permanent cast member of its popular “History Detectives.” She quickly earned roles as host of “Collection Intervention” on the Syfy network, “Treasure Seekers” on VOOM!, and as a collectibles expert on “The Nate Berkus Show” and “Clean House NY!” as well as several appearances on morning television programs. She is also an author, speaker and a licensed auctioneer in New York.

A member of the Appraisers Association of America, Elyse is a USPAP-certified appraiser of Entertainment memorabilia and a preferred appraiser for both the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and Encompass Insurance.

“Elyse’s outstanding expertise in arts and collectibles, coupled with her diverse experiences on television, as an author and popular auctioneer, will be an instant asset to Heritage’s presence in the Trusts & Estates community,” said Mark Prendergast, Director of Trusts & Estates at Heritage.

To be based in New York, Elyse joins a team under the leadership of Prendergast and will work closely with Karl Chiao, Trusts & Estates Representative in Dallas; Michelle Castro, Consignment Director and Trusts & Estates in Dallas; as well as Carolyn Mani, Consignment Director and Trusts & Estates in Beverly Hills.