World's largest Auction house

"In 2000, Sotheby's became the first international art auction house to hold auctions on the Internet. Sothebys.com was the venue for some dramatic and unprecedented successes, such as the sale of a first printing of the Declaration of Independence for more than $8 million, 21 panels of the historic Boston Garden floor, and a masterwork by Frederick, Lord Leighton. In addition, Sotheby's opened its traditional saleroom auctions to Internet bidding through the eBay Live Auctions service. Although no longer an auction venue, Sotheby's website remains a vital tool for the dissemination of information and news about the auction house worldwide, and select sales are open for bids via the Internet.

Whether expanding our infrastructure or exploring cyberspace, Sotheby's continues to demonstrate innovation and responsiveness to the needs of our ever-expanding international clientele. As our clients' needs and collecting tastes evolve, Sotheby's flexibility and unwavering focus on expertise and client service will remain our hallmarks into the 21st century" ... more

Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise.

Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million.

Christie’s has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai and Hong Kong. Christie's also offers its clients worldwide access to its sales through Christie's LIVE™, its unique, real-time online bidding service...

"artnet is the place to buy, sell and research fine art online. artnet Galleries is the largest network of its kind, with over 2,200 galleries in over 250 cities worldwide, more than 166,000 artworks by over 39,000 artists from around the globe. artnet Galleries serves dealers and art buyers alike by providing a survey of the market and its pricing trends, as well as the means to communicate instantly, inexpensively and globally. Other key services include artnet Magazine, the insider's guide to the art market with daily news, reviews, and features by renowned writers in the art community and the Price Database.

The artnet Price Database is the most comprehensive color illustrated archive of fine art auction results worldwide. Representing auction results from over 500 international auction houses since 1985, the Price Database covers more than 4 million auction results by over 188,000 artists, ranging from Old Masters to Contemporary Art. " ... more

"Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house and one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The Bonhams name is recognised worldwide throughout all sectors of the fine art, antiques and collectors' market, with several of its departments established world leaders within their specialist category.

One of the few surviving Georgian auction houses in London, Bonhams was set up in 1793 when Thomas Dodd, a renowned antique print dealer, joined forces with the book specialist Walter Bonham.

The company expanded and by the 1850s was handling all categories of antiques including jewellery, porcelain, furniture, arms and armour and fine wines.

In the early 1950s the Bonham family purchased some land in Knightsbridge and erected a saleroom on Montpelier Street.

In 2001 Bonhams became Bonhams & Brooks when it was acquired by Brooks auction house. Brooks had been founded in 1989 by the former Head of Cars at Christie's, Robert Brooks who specialized in the sale of classic and vintage motorcars. Brooks continued a major acquisition programme aimed at creating a new international fine art auction house.

Later that year, Bonhams & Brooks merged with Phillips Son & Neale to form a new UK company trading as Bonhams." ... more

"With galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Mass., Skinner is a leading full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Skinner conducts auctions year-round in both locations. Skinner's specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Ceramics, Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Wines, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science, Technology & Clocks, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery.

As one of the world's leading auction houses Skinner offers collectors the chance to bid on many rare and desirable pieces. Often, these unique items achieve world-record prices. In 2004, Skinner set a world record for a painting sold at auction, when a previously unknown Fitz Henry Lane work was auctioned in Boston for $5.5 million." ... more

Doyle

"Founded in 1962, Doyle New York is one of the world's foremost auctioneers and appraisers of fine art, jewelry, furniture, decorations, coins, Asian works of art and a variety of specialty categories. Located in New York City, the global capital of the auction market, Doyle offers approximately forty sales each year that attract a broad base of buyers and consignors from around the world. Doyle New York has an established reputation for professionalism, integrity, expertise and service. With the goal of achieving the highest possible prices at auction, Doyle New York's focus on providing individual attention to each client remains paramount.

Doyle New York oversees an ever-expanding network of regional representatives throughout the United States, including an office in Georgetown serving the Washington, DC/Mid-Atlantic area. In addition, Doyle's marketing alliances in Europe and Asia provide maximum exposure for property to international buyers. Our personalized services, combined with sophisticated, international marketing and promotion, results in world auction records being set regularly for property in a variety of collecting categories..." more

"Heritage Auction Galleries is the largest collectibles auctioneer and third largest auction house in the world. We are also the undisputed Internet leader in our field. Our 602,337 registered online bidder-members are a testament to the usefulness of our website, our reputation for professional business practices and our vast expertise in the field of art and collectibles.

Heritage Auctions, established in 1976, offers a wide range of US & World Coins, Rare Currency, Fine & Decorative Art, Western Art, Illustration Art, Vintage Comic Books & Comic Art, Movie Posters, Entertainment Memorabilia, Jewelry & Timepieces, Vintage & Couture Handbags, Sports Collectibles, Historical & Political Memorabilia, Rare Books & Manuscripts, American Indian Art, Air & Space Memorabilia, Civil War Memorabilia, Vintage & Contemporary Photography, Natural History Specimens and more.

Heritage Auctions give their customers unprecedented access to heir services using the latest advancements in technology and by maintaining a strong presence in the collectibles community..." more

"SUSANIN’S Auctions

is one of the fastest growing andmost technologically advanced auction houses in the United States. Founded in 1994 by Sean Susanin and Christian Skeem, SUSANIN'S has become a leader in the Chicago and Midwest auction market. Through its pioneering use of the internet over a decade ago with its proprietary software, SUSANIN'S has become hugely successful and internationally recognized.

With a 35,000 square foot prime location in the Chicago's South Loop and a schedule of monthly auctions, SUSANIN'S attracts clients ranging from private collectors and homeowners to interior designers and antique dealers. Estate auctions feature English, American, Continental, and Asian Furniture and Decorative Art, Fine Art, Jewelry, Silver, Rugs, and Collectibles." ... more

"China Guardian Auctions Co., Ltd., established in May 1993, was the earliest auction company specialize in the sale of Chinese art work of all varieties. For the past years, China Guardian has successfully staged more than 300 auctions with more than 200,000 lots sold. China Guardian holds major Spring and Autumn Auctions, as well as its Quarterly Auction series. Regular auction business covers Chinese paintings and calligraphy, porcelain, works of art, Chinese oil paintings and sculptures, rare books, stamps, coins, bronzes mirrors and fine jewelry.

In recent years, quite a few national and international records have been set in China Guardian’s auction rooms. Furthermore, through the company’s efforts many national treasures have been bought by national museums either from overseas collectors or from private owners at home, including: Weng’s Collection of Rare Books; “Rare Birds”, a painting by the Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong; a Tang Dynasty facsimile of Huaisu’s calligraphy; “Calligraphy in Regular & Cursive Script” by the Song Dynasty Emperor Gaozong; and Zhu Xi’s calligraphy “Spring Rain” and “Chu Shi Song”. In the meantime, various auction items have set regional and international records, such as: a silk weaving handscroll commissioned by Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong, Red Cliff from Ming Dynasty, a fine and rare famille-rose “Eight Immortals” vase of the Qianlong Reign; Oil paintings such as“Chairman Mao Overlooking Guangdong” and “Eulogy of the Yellow River”, as well as numerous stamps and coins." ... more

"Hosane is an auction house specializing in artworks. We have a staff of more than 50 employees coming from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Europe. We are specialized in the auction of traditional Chinese painting & calligraphy, oil painting, sculptures, postage stamps, banknotes and coins, as well as other works of art.

"Hosane was originally specialized in artwork dealing in Europe. We have been serving international collectors of artworks for about two decades. We began to actively develop the Chinese market in the 90s. We gradually became aware that China had started to offer more opportunities.

Over the past few years, Hosane has successfully turned itself into a high-quality auction house. The auction house is equipped with specialists holding a doctoral or master's degree in the art field. Our senior managers are talented senior specialists from well-known national and international auction houses and galleries" ... more

"Everywhere in the world, Ravenel Art Group is the symbol of refined art culture. It also plays the role of collection advisor for the "20th & 21st Centuries' Chinese Art".

Ravenel Art Group, incorporated in June 1999, receives the complete professional and technical support from Drouot – a major French artwork auctioneer with long-lasting history. Its tenet is to introduce refined European culture, synchronize artistic creation and investment, and push forward contemporary Chinese art. Ravenel brings about dedicated and systematic collection and artistic works investment to enterprises, collectors and foundations across Asia by means of artwork auction which focuses on oil painting and sculpture, intermediary service, art fund investment etc.

It provides important overseas media and art institutions with Chinese artists and dynamic information in China's contemporary art market via the online platform (http://ravenelart.com) by presenting exhibition for contemporary Chinese artists in cooperation with major overseas art institutions, in order to facilitate long-term development of Chinese art in international arena.

Ravenel Art Group has two major art-related departments: Ravenel European Art Auctioneer and Ravenel Art Investment. Through 10 years' unremitting efforts, the numerous businesses including auction, intermediary service, web site, exhibition etc. have achieved remarkable results. New programs such as insurance, fund, foundation and so on are now under preparation. In 2006, along with the strategic expansion in China mainland, Ravenel Beijing was established. Ravenel Art Group will inevitably provide enterprises, collectors, foundations as well as other institutions and individuals with abundant and more professional collection and investment services" ... more

"Seoul Auction is Korea's oldest and leading auction house, holding at least one major auction per quarter. Seoul Auction, founded in 1998, has multi-purpose auction spaces based on a design by world-famous French architect Jean Michell Wilmotte and comprising auction salesrooms, galleries and warehouses for art work.

During the past decade that Seoul Auction has been developing and leading the Korean art market, more than a hundred auctions have been held and sales volume in 2007 has tripled compared with the previous year, reaching US$96.4 million.

In 2008, which is its 10th anniversary, Seoul Auction has been listed in KOSDAQ (Korean Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation) and successfully held inaugural Hong Kong Sale, realizing HK$180 million. Occupying the majority of market share in Korean Art Auction market, 58.4 %, and gaining a foothold in Hong Kong, Seoul Auction will continue to grow to be the Asian Art Market leader." ... more

"Phillips was founded in London in 1796 by Harry Phillips, formerly senior clerk to James Christie. During his first year of business, Phillips conducted twelve successful auctions and soon the business was holding sales for some of the most distinguished collectors of the day including Marie Antoinette, Beau Brummel and Napoleon Bonaparte.

To win business, Phillips combined business acumen with a flair for showmanship, introducing new ways to promote his sales such as elaborate evening receptions before auctions - an essential part of the auction business today. Phillips quickly gained the confidence of British society and remains the only auction house ever to have held a sale inside Buckingham Palace.

When he died in 1840, Harry Phillips' son, William Augustus, inherited a strong and successful legacy and business. In 1879, William changed the firm's name to Messrs Phillips & Son. In1882, William brought his son-in-law, Frederick Neale into the business, the company was renamed again as Phillips, Son & Neale. This name remained through the 1970s, when the company became Phillips. The company had a reputation for strong regional salerooms dotted throughout The British Isles, selling everything from furniture to art and estates.

In 1999, the company was bought by Bernard Arnault, the chairman of the French luxury-goods brand, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH). Shortly after the transaction, Mr. Arnault merged with the esteemed private art dealers, Simon de Pury and Daniela Luxembourg who were operating the Impressionist and Modern art gallery, de Pury & Luxembourg in Zurich. The new team at Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg with headquarters on East 57th street held sales in Impressionist, American and Modern works of art in addition to watches and jewelry and design.

In 2002, de Pury & Luxembourg took majority control of the company and in 2003, Simon de Pury moved the headquarters to the Meatpacking District in Chelsea, which at the time was just beginning to sprout as an international art district. With a new remit to focus solely on the sale of the best works of Contemporary Art, Design, Jewelry, Photography, and Editions, Phillips de Pury & Company began business in a spectacular and spacious gallery setting on 15th Street, overlooking the celebrated Highline and The Hudson River. It is in this space today where Simon de Pury, his partners, and team of specialists are dedicated to the company's unique approach to the auction market..." more

"Since 1919 Leonard Joel has provided private, institutional and commercial clients alike a complete suite of auction management services. Founded by the late Leonard Joel in 1919 the business is now operated by John Albrecht, a former director of Kozminsky, Melbourne. Our primary salerooms are located in the impressive heritage listed former Hawksburn Primary School in the heart of South Yarra, close to the golden mile of antique and art establishments in High Street. And our newly established rooms for art and books in Sydney are located in Double Bay.

With over 90 years of auction expertise, Leonard Joel has proudly maintained its status as an agent for vendor which simply means that as an auction house we do not enjoy an ownership stake in any item we offer for sale. This fundamental principle, of working solely for the vendor, lies at the core of a great auction house and ensures the market we create at every auction is fair and transparent.

From identification and valuation of single items through to the dispersal of major private and corporate collections, Leonard Joel has become synonymous as a Melbourne institution with unrivalled specialist expertise and unparalleled local market knowledge.

Clients of Leonard Joel enjoy the ability to promote their consignments within local and international media channels, through continuous and expansive catalogue and brochure client lists with international reach and one of the largest email and internet client bases for auction clients in the country." ... more

"Prestige Philately is committed to providing clients with a level of service unmatched anywhere in the world.

For bidders, this means creating world-class auctions that scream for attention by meeting the needs of both collector and dealer, and offering both the material and a range of innovations designed to make bidding a pleasurable and rewarding experience, without fear of being ripped-off.

For vendors, this means treating everyone fairly, exercising all due care in the lotting of material to maximise returns, and making payments on time.

These dual aims are reflected in catalogues that demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, an aggressive global approach to marketing, and results that set the pace for others to follow.

While we need to make a profit, this is less important than giving our clients what they want. That service can extend to providing an expanded description of a lot, sending out free photocopies or scans by e-mail, offering advice on exhibiting, securing an elusive book, making a cup of coffee at viewing time, or supplying afternoon tea on sale day.

By treating everyone with courtesy, respect and good humour we hope to convert the client into a supporter, and the supporter into an ambassador for Prestige Philately. We draw inspiration from Walt Disney who said: "Do what you do so well that the people will want to come back, and bring their friends with them". ... more

"Kruse Energy & Equipment Auctioneers, LLC

With over 700 years of combined experience in the energy auction business, Kruse Energy & Equipment Auctioneers are recognized as "The Auction Company" and Leaders in the marketplace. The team at Kruse Auctioneers has conducted over 90% of the energy auctions over the past 25 years. Whether you are liquidating your entire company or selling one item, Kruse Auctioneers is the obvious choice. Highly trained ringmen, auctioneers, marketing, set-up and support personnel will ensure that your experience at our auctions is pleasant. If you are contemplating selling or buying equipment at auction, please contact us and one of our reputable team members will be pleased to assist you.

In addition to our skilled auction group, Kruse offers services in Private Sales & Appraisals as well. Regardless of your needs, Kruse is qualified and committed to providing the service you expect and deserve." more