Kurt - you are right on the mark that the appraisal was done for the Smithsonian. John White convinced Gerald Best to donate his complete collection, both US and foreign. Mr. Best had one of the best collection of foreign plates that I have ever seen. Harriet, his wife, could have used the funds from the sale of the foreign plates, but John White wanted the complete collection from what we were told at the time. Unfortunately, most of the plates are now stored in a warehouse some where. I understand that a few of the plates were on display at one time, but I have not visited the Smithsonian for many years.