Staff
John Harris
John is the owner, main auctioneer and appraiser at Caplan's and one of Maryland’s most experienced Auctioneers and Appraisers. After graduating Towson University in 1982 he immediately stepped into the business and has over 40 years experience (see resume here). He is court certified and one of Maryland’s recognized experts many fields including Fine Art, Antiques, Collectibles, Silver, Coins and almost anything Estate related.
Shelley Harris
Shelley is the co- owner of Caplan's. She grew up in the world of art with her art dealer parents. She brings this expertise to the auction business as well as her advanced knowledge of both costume and fine jewelry.
Chelsea harris
Chelsea is the daughter of John and Shelley. She recently graduated from Towson University and has joined her parents in the auction and appraisal business. She does a little bit of everything from auction set up to website maintenance.
Staff
Ron Kastronis
Ron is one of the most important aspects of the Caplan's team. Ron runs our clean out, pickup and delivery services. He and his team work hard day after day to ensure your items go to and from our gallery as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Liz hutchison
Liz is the newest addition to the Caplan's team. She recently married our relief auctioneer Marc and some after joined the Caplan's family. Liz can be seen in action every Wednesday and Sunday as a clerk and runner. In addition to the auction Liz is an oncology nurse.
Marc Hutchison
Marc is both an auctioneer and runner. He can be seen working diligently every Sunday and some Wednesday. Marc also works as an auctioneer for countless storage facility auctions.
Staff
Amanda Dipietro
Amanda is one of Caplan's hardest workers. She loves interacting with people and you will always be greated with a big hello when Amanda is around. She works in the office and the gallery floor.
danielle walraven
Danielle is one of Caplan' oldest employees. She first began working at Caplan's when we were located at Oella Mill years ago. Danielle is an auction runner. Outside of the auction she runs her own cleaning business as well as a dog jammie business called Cappi's jammies.
Debbie Cadden
Debbie is our resident office eficianto and longest Caplan's employee. You can see her every Sunday working in our office to check people in and out of the auction along with countless other tasks. Her passion is jewelry and she is more than happy to discuss her jewelry knowledge with anyone.
John Harris, Our Founder & Owner
Resume of Qualifications
Graduate and/or Member:
Certified Appraiser’s Guild of America * New England Appraisers Society
National Auctioneer’s Association * Gemological Institute of America
1982 – Present: Owner of Caplan’s Auction & Appraisal Company at the historic Savage Mill with over 10,000 square feet of gallery, showroom and warehouse space. Mr. Harris personally organizes and conducts over 100 Personal Property, Divorce, Bankruptcy & Estate auctions per year including every Sunday and Wednesday making Caplan’s Auction “The Home of Maryland’s Busiest Auction.”
1999 – Present: Featured writer on Antiques, Collectibles and Auction news for Zip and The View magazines. Contributing writer for Antiques & Auction News and Auction World News. Teacher on Appraising at Howard Community College.
1999-2000: Regular antique and collectible expert on Baltimore’s WMAR-TV Sunday Morning Breakfast Show with Don Rodricks.
1985 – 1996: Owner of Caplan’s Furniture Refinishing with specialty in furniture restoration, refinishing and repair.
1988-1998: Mr. Harris personally traveled through Europe and Great Britain buying furniture, antiques, jewelry and objects de’ Art and shipped containers back to his retail and wholesale locations in the United States for re-sale.
June 1981: Mr. Harris graduated cum laude with honors earning a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Art History from Towson State University. He was ranked # 1 in his class and served as Commencement Speaker for graduation held at the Baltimore Civic Center and was a four year member of the American Marketing Association (President), the American Management Association, the Debate and Golf teams. Auctioneer and/or Appraiser for the Baltimore Chapter of the Salvation Army, the NAACP, the Blind Industries of
MD., Woman’s Expo at Catonsville Community College, Hopkins Battered Women Hospice, American Cancer Society, Charlestown Retirement Community, Glenelg Country School, Mt. Washington School, Howard County Public Library System, Baltimore County Senior Center Systems, Oasis, Pyramid Atlantic, Canaan Valley Antique Roadshow, Chubb, Liberty Mutual & Nationwide Insurance, The Pentagon, The Old Soldier’s Home & Museum,
Lincoln’s Summer Cottage in Washington DC., Estate of Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., The Admiral’s Quarters at the Washington DC Naval Yard, Morgan State University, Historic Algonquin Manor Cambridge, Historic Woodlawn Manor Montgomery County Park System, WHAG Tv news, Montgomery County Recreation Centers, Anne Arundel Senior Dog Sanctuary, Hotel Impossible (HGTV), University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Historic Joshua Barney House and is certified to appraise for the IRS and all Maryland Register of Wills.
A little about John...
Mr. Harris has been actively engaged full time since January 1982 in the buying, selling and appraising Estates and Estate items to include: Antiques, collectibles, fine furniture, orientalia, collectibles, coins, rugs, silver, business inventory, jewelry, ephemera, old banks, trains, clocks, quackery, old toys, objects de’ art, militaria, vehicles, automotive equipment, boats, tools and machinery, household goods and real estate. Over 38 years’ experience buying, selling and appraising over $ 41,000,000 of real tangible business and personal property.