Special Auction Services of Newbury, Berkshire are pleased to announce that they are expanding their business. Following on from their successful move and growth to a brand new purpose built premises in Newbury, a second auction room in the Midlands is their latest venture. The Grade II listed building currently known as Astons in Dudley is set to become the SAS Midlands auction premises.

Special Auction Services started auction life some fifteen years ago holding six auctions selling around 4,000 lots in their first year, fast forward to today where they hold at least fifty auctions annually and sell over 40,000 lots and will continue to grow especially with the acquisition of a second premises.

Director Thomas Forrester has enthused that ‘it is a great building steeped in history and the name and reputation Astons have made for themselves is a mantel we are keen to carry’. The juxtaposition against the new purpose built premises in Newbury means the two couldn’t be further apart in appearance and although both being specialist toy auction houses there has always been a very positive relationship between the two.

Director Neil Shuttleworth explains ‘although perhaps a bit sooner than we would have envisaged growing our business further Astons was too good an opportunity to miss’. The auction calendar and format will remain largely the same with SAS keen to keep Phil Aston on as a consultant for as long as his retirement enjoyment permits!

Special Auction Services are thrilled to announce their inaugural auction in the Midlands is set up and ready to be sold 28th January 2021 albeit behind closed doors.

In line with government legislation, the auction will be online only. You can request further details and additional images via email dudley@specialauctionservies.com.

You can register to bid via their website www.specialauctionservices.com. If you are a successful bidder you will be emailed and invoice. Upon receipt of payment via bank transfer, your items can be made ready for collection by appointment only. This also applies for courier collection. We are unable to offer in house postage yet in Dudley but recommend That’s Your Lot based locally in Wombourne on 01902 475212 or info@thats-your-lot.co.uk.

Special Auction Services are currently taking enquiries for valuations by appointment and to consign goods for auction jessica@specialauctionservices.com.

For more information about Special Auction Services, CLICK HERE

Introducing Wilson55.com

The new name for Peter Wilson Fine Art Auctioneers.

“Peter Wilson Fine Art Auctioneers has a new look and will now be known as Wilson55.

Initially established in 1955, we’ve continually evolved and we’re excited to announce this new chapter in our history. Over the years we’ve established our reputation as one of the UK’s leading regional auction houses, focussing on fine art, antiques and collectables.

In this new era, we have made changes to make our auctions accessible to everyone, whether local to Cheshire or further afield. Not forgetting our history, the Wilson55 name reminds us of our heritage but embraces the opportunities and demands of the current time in terms of technology and innovation.

Having recently launched our free live-bidding platform ‘Wilson Live’, we feel our calendar of specialist auctions has strong appeal to our ever-growing client base. Our team is the same as when we were Peter Wilson’s and our experts on hand to offer personal, professional advice to buyers and vendors alike.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share further information about next year’s exciting and ambitious auction calendar and how you can share in this exciting time with us.”

-Robert Stones, Managing Director

For more information about Wilson55, CLICK HERE

Doyle is pleased to announce that Richard Cervantes has joined the firm as a Senior Vice President and Director of Asian Works of Art.

A former educator with a background in History and Italian Literature, Mr. Cervantes was drawn to auction in 2006 and began his career at The Samuel T. Freeman Co. of Philadelphia. As Specialist and eventual department head of both Asian Arts and Oriental Rugs at Freeman’s, he oversaw and coordinated auctions of fine Chinese works of art, including the sale of an important Chinese Imperial seal of the Qianlong Emperor and property from the Collection of noted Philadelphia-area financier Henry C. Gibson. For three years, he was Director of Asian Arts at Heritage Auctions, overseeing their inaugural Asia Week New York auctions. 

Mr. Cervantes has been a featured appraiser for seven seasons on Antiques Roadshow, a WGBH production televised nationwide on the PBS network. He has presented on Asian art topics to the International Society of Appraisers, WHYY Philadelphia, The History Channel and various publications.

Mr. Cervantes’ first auction at Doyle is the sale of Asian Works of Art taking place on Thursday, July 23. The public is invited to view the catalogue, request condition reports, schedule private viewings, and place bids conveniently at Doyle.com

Mr. Cervantes is currently evaluating the property to be offered in the September Asian Works of Art auction scheduled during the week of Asian sales in New York. He is based in Philadelphia and travels regularly to New York and other areas of the country. 

Prominent Collections of Asian Art at Doyle

Doyle has been privileged to auction many of the world’s most important collections of Asian Works of Art. Doyle’s landmark sale of Chinese porcelain from the F. Gordon Morrill Collection of Delray Beach drew newly affluent Chinese collectors for the first time to a New York auction, driving the sale total past $12 million. Doyle also held the sale of important jades from the Estate of Baron Pierre DeMenasce highlighted by an 18th-century Chinese celadon jade vase that achieved $5 million.  

We Invite You to Auction!

We invite you to contact Richard Cervantes. He is available by telephone, email and even video chat to discuss the appraisal and sale of a single object or an entire collection. 

Richard Cervantes

Senior Vice President / Director of Asian Works of Art

215-539-3109

Asian@Doyle.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DOYLE, CLICK HERE

Bonhams has appointed Patrick Masson to be its Managing Director in the UK and Europe. Masson, who will be based at Bonhams headquarters in New Bond Street, London, takes up his new post on 2 March, reporting to Bonhams Executive Chairman, Bruno Vinciguerra.

Patrick Masson joins Bonhams after successful careers at senior level at both Christie’s and Sotheby’s. As business manager for Christie’s France from 1996-2006, he played a central role in establishing the auction house as a leading player in France. At Sotheby’s he worked in senior roles in London and Paris. As General Manager, Sotheby’s Europe, Masson developed new sales and markets, and established Europe as the highest contributor to Sotheby’s global revenues. Additionally, he drove restructuring and expansion programmes in the Middle East, India and Russia.

Patrick was born in Brittany, France and is bilingual in French and English.

Bonhams Executive Chairman, Bruno Vinciguerra said, “Patrick Masson’s outstanding track record in building and sustaining profitability and developing new growth strategies will enable us to take Bonhams business in the UK and Europe to new levels.”

Patrick Masson said, “I have long admired Bonhams as a business. I believe my extensive international experience in delivering effective change will help propel the company to further success.”

Hindman Auctions is pleased to announce two new business development appointments in their ongoing nationwide expansion. Senior Jewelry Specialist and Business Development Director Katie Guilbault will establish Hindman’s presence in Southern California, based in San Diego, and Maura Ross, as Business Development Director, will lead Hindman business development efforts in the mid-Atlantic, based in Washington D.C. Working in conjunction with Hindman’s satellite offices and Chicago-based Headquarters, Katie and Maura will continue efforts to source quality consignments across all of Hindman’s collecting categories. 

MAURA ROSS

WASHINGTON D.C.

Maura Ross opened Hindman’s first regional office in Naples, Florida in 2010, followed by opening the Palm Beach office in 2013. She has worked on several notable sales, including the Estate of Lilly Pulitzer and the Collection of Olga Hirshhorn. Additionally, Maura has been involved with The Washington Winter Show, West Palm Beach Library Foundation, ArtTable, The Four Arts Society and The Everglades Foundation. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University.

Contact Washington D.C.

mauraross@hindmanauctions.com

New York– Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers has announced an expansion of its Florida operations with the addition of two prominent auction professionals. Furniture and Decorative Arts Specialist Sebastian Clarke has been appointed Senior Vice President, and Jewelry Specialist Katherine Van Dell has been appointed Vice President. Both Specialists are now based in Florida. They join Doyle’s Director of Florida Operations Collin Albertsson, a Silver Specialist and Senior Vice President.

“With the addition of two seasoned appraisers to Doyle’s Florida team, we can provide our full range of auction and appraisal services even more effectively to collectors, families and fiduciaries throughout the state of Florida and the Southeast,” said Collin Albertsson.

“We are delighted to welcome specialists Sebastian Clarke and Katherine Van Dell to Doyle,” said Joanne Porrino Mournet, Doyle’s President and Director of Regions. “Our expanded footprint in Florida extends our professional services and expertise across multiple categories. Collin Albertsson and her team stand ready to deliver exceptional results in the global auction market.”

PHILADELPHIA, PA– After nearly a century at 1808 Chestnut Street, Freeman’s will be relocating its flagship location to Center City’s prestigious 2400 Market Street. Featuring a purpose-built gallery and auction room with corporate offices above, Freeman’s is excited to join the 600,000 square-foot development that has been recently hailed as one of the biggest and most visible mixed-use projects in Philadelphia.

THE NEW FREEMAN’S EXPERIENCE

Designed to meet the needs of both emerging and established collectors, the modern development at 2400 Market Street will enhance the auction experience for the company’s local and international clientele. 

In the new gallery, Freeman’s will host a year-round season of curated fine auctions across multiple disciplines.They are also planning to cultivate the space as a premier cultural venue and are currently developing a program of events set to begin in Spring 2020 that will be open to the Philadelphia community and beyond.

“We are very much a part of the fabric of Philadelphia and have been for centuries,” remarks Chairman Alasdair Nichol. “We have been in our current building since it was built for us in 1924, but the auction market has dramatically changed since then. This move to a new, custom-designed headquarters is a key component in our contemporary business model and will further establish us as a leading and dynamic 21st century auction house. In our new location, we will be ideally positioned to meet the growing demand for global service, while continuing to be engrained within the heart of the city that we have called home since 1805.”

THE FIRST AUCTIONS

Currently scheduled for November 24, 2019, the inaugural sale to be held at 2400 Market is A Grand Old Flag: The Stars and Stripes Collection of Dr. Peter J. Keim. This landmark, single-owner sale will be the largest collection of historic American Flags ever to be offered at auction. It will be followed by the house’s marquee American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionistsauction on December 8, 2019. Fine sales across collecting genres will follow throughout Winter/Spring 2020.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

This winter, Freeman’s will also be opening a second Philadelphia location within The Civic Building at 1600 West Girard Avenue. This venue will cater more specifically to emerging markets and young collectors.

ABOUT 2400 MARKET STREET

Situated along the Schuylkill River, 2400 Market was formerly a Hudson Motor Car Company fabrication plant. The property was re-acquired and renovated in 2016 into a contemporary, mixed-use structure; it now serves as the new global headquarters for Aramark.

For questions about the building, please contact Hanna Dougher, COO, at hdougher@freemansauction.com

New Branding and Website Elevates Client Experience and Reflects Company’s Recent Expansion in Location, Services and Expertise  

Chicago — Leslie Hindman Auctioneers today unveiled a new brand identity, website and growth strategy in line with the organization’s ambition to be the nation’s most client-centric auction house. The new website provides the auction house with the capability to expand digital client services, and the new logo elevates the brand’s visual presence across all platforms and ten brick-and-mortar locations nationwide. In conjunction with these changes, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has abbreviated its name to Hindman. These changes reflect Hindman’s recent growth in locations, services and expertise, as well as its previously announced acquisition of Cowan’s Auctions (est.1995). Hindman currently operates more salerooms than any other auction house in the country.

“We have been working over the past 37 years to position ourselves as the most client-centric auction house in the country”, said Hindman Co-Chair, Leslie Hindman. “What started with our first satellite office in Naples in 2009 has grown to include 10 branches today and is still growing. In the evolving auction industry, our clients will require both the high-touch local service we’ve consistently offered and the high-tech global sales and marketing channels that we are developing.”

“Both Leslie and I have built our businesses by recognizing the importance of building and maintaining relationships with our clients” added Vice Chair Wes Cowan, “We have long embraced the technological evolution of the auction business. At the same time our focus will remain where it has always been — service to our clients, both sellers and buyers.”

Hindman’s recent growth features several key leadership appointments with experience from a variety of sectors. New CEO Thomas Galbraith co-founded the consulting firm The Petraeus Group, has served as Managing Director of Paddle8, as Director of Global Strategy for artnet, and most recently was the interim CEO of the Google Ventures startup, Twyla.

“Understanding the importance of client experience and achieving top dollar for all lots sold is critical to success in this market, and both Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and Cowan’s Auctions have excelled in that regard,” said Hindman CEO, Thomas Galbraith. “The strategies and changes we are implementing at Hindman are focused on modernizing and scaling that approach through digitization, efficiencies and a growing footprint, building off a very well-established foundation.”

Additions also include the appointment of finance industry veteran Joan Wagner as Vice President for Hindman’s Midwest region; of Nathan Casey, formerly Senior Director of Global CRM and Loyalty for McDonald’s Corporation, as the Vice President of Marketing for Hindman; and of Billy Fowks as the auction house’s first CTO, a seasoned full stack developer with comprehensive experience working at the intersection of visual art and technology.

Digital Connectivity

A key facet to Hindman’s growth strategy involves the development of the auction house’s digital capabilities. Drawing inspiration from their mission as a service-focused auction house, Hindman built a website that simplifies the client experience and improves the marketability of sales. Hindman is simultaneously rolling out new back-end technology that streamlines inventory and consignment management processes, allowing specialists and account executives to spend more of their time interfacing directly with clients.

“The custom website and underlying technological capabilities will allow clients and specialists to interact seamlessly,” said Hindman CTO, Billy Fowks. “Today’s release is an exciting foundation that will allow us to innovate and build over the months and years to come.”

“As we embrace the digital evolution of the auction industry, our core will always be client service.  We are focused on technology that will foster relationships with our clients, not replace them”, added Hindman VP of Marketing, Nathan Casey.

These changes build upon a preexisting focus on global connectivity, with 60% of existing lots being sold to online bidders from around the world. In 2018, Hindman saw a 21% increase in online sales and 32% increase in online buyers over the prior year, with a 10 percentage point shift from live to online buyers.

Local Presence

Hindman’s investment in digital advancement is paired with a simultaneous expansion of both brick-and-mortar locations and specialists. This expansion enables Hindman to provide high-touch service and in-person expertise throughout the country, connecting local communities to the global art market. Hindman recently opened new offices in Scottsdale, AZ and Atlanta, GA, as well as both Cincinnati and Cleveland, OH locations through the acquisition of Cowan’s Auctions. In addition to the ten brick-and-mortar offices, Hindman continues an on-going series of auction appraisal events nationwide, focused on meeting clients where they live.

“The priority we give to growing our brick-and-mortar presence in alignment with digital development is a testament to the value we hold in building longstanding relationships with our local communities, and of my commitment that our organization will always put the client’s needs first,” said Hindman CEO, Thomas Galbraith.

Growth in Expertise

Hindman’s growth in digital and physical presence is accompanied by several notable hires over the past two years. “Hindman’s recent appointments bring decades of collective experience from an incredible range of focus areas,” said Jim Sharp, Hindman Vice President, Expertise. “Many of our clients require expertise across multiple collecting categories at varying price points. To best serve them, we need to be able to address their entire collection.”

These appointments have resulted in both the creation of new departments and substantial growth in preexisting departments. The appointment of Tim Long as Director of Luxury Accessories and Couture brings years of museum curatorial experience, and new authority on historical couture to the company’s growing department. Additionally, Hindman has assembled a leading Fine Books and Manuscripts department, led by Gretchen Hause and supported by Exclusive Consultant Francis Wahlgren. Additional new departments include American History and Historic Militaria, via the acquisition of Cowan’s Auctions.

Over the past two years, Hindman has seen a 40% growth in specialists across all departments, including a 50% growth in Fine Art specialists and a 50% growth in Jewelry specialists. The Fine Art department’s growth featured the appointment of Michael E. Shapiro, former Director of The High Museum of Art, as Senior Advisor of Museums and Private Collections; and the appointment of Joe Stanfield as Director of Fine Art. The department’s record sale of a Joan Mitchell work on paper for $1.2 million is a prime example of the increased expertise at the company, which saw an influx of premium consignments. On May 15, Hindman’s Jewelry department will sell 250 pieces from the iconic Chicago jewelry store and global brand, Trabert & Hoeffer—a testament to the department’s capabilities. With the new appointments across all departments in place, Hindman has already conducted 36 auctions in Q1 of 2019, a 50% increase over the same period in the year prior.

Hindman conducts over 100 auctions annually and appraises thousands of objects throughout the year in addition to handling major single-owner collections. The firm is currently accepting consignments for summer, fall and winter sales. To contact the Chicago office of Hindman, visit hindmanauctions.com/locations/Chicago or call 312.280.1212.