Edward E. Herguth, of Independent Appraisers and Auctioneers, died unexpectedly June 26, at the age of 57. Graduating from Pace University in accounting, his passion for art and antiques was fueled by weekend visits with his father, Henry Herguth. Ed took a summer job with Marge Smallman at her Noutique Antiques in Irvington, N.Y., and he was forever hooked, ready to cut his teeth as an appraiser.

His auction career started 30 years ago at Plaza Art Galleries, where he headed the Americana department. Ed moved to William Doyle Galleries in European furniture and took over the helm in Americana when Leigh Keno left. After 15 years at Doyle’s, he started his own auction and appraisal firm in Westchester County, N.Y., under the name Greenwich Fine Arts Auctions Associates and then Independent Appraisers and Auctioneers.

Ed was a sleuth when it came to researching art, and his greatest find had to be the Edvard Munch print he found in a garage, destined for the dump, when he was doing an estate appraisal.

Ed was a great specialist, a gentle honest man, with a dry wit and a wicked smile, loved by everyone who met him. He is survived by his wife Candace, his sons Andrew and Alexander, his father Henry and his siblings William and Sally. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Church Episcopal, Franklin Avenue, PO Box 366, Millbrook, NY 12545.