APPRAISERS
Christies
Christie's commitment to excellence began in the auction house's early years when James Christie conducted his first sale on 5 December 1766. A level-headed businessman famed for his eloquence and humor, Christie turned auctioneering into a sophisticated art—still the hallmark of Christie's auctioneers today.
The greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries were conducted at Christie's, including the 1779 sale of the collection of paintings of British prime minister Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745) to Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, to enhance the Imperial Collection in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Today, Christie's has become one of the world's preeminent auction houses, offering sales in more than 80 categories, including all areas of the fine and applied arts, popular arts, wine, jewelry and classic motor cars.
Bonhams and Butterfields
Butterfields, founded in 1865, is the principal firm of fine art auctioneers based on the West Coast of America specializing in the appraisal and sale of art, antiques, and fine and rare objects in all collecting categories. In August of 2002, Butterfields was acquired by Bonhams, founded in 1793, and the company's salerooms in San Francisco and Los Angeles now trade as Bonhams & Butterfields.
Bonhams is the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques remaining with British ownership. The present company was formed in November 2001 with the merger of Bonhams & Brooks with the UK interests of Phillips auctioneers. In August of 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies.
Today, Bonhams is the third largest and fastest growing group of auction houses in the world, offering more sales than any of its rivals through two major salerooms in London and a further 9 throughout the UK. Sales are also held in the U.S., Switzerland, Monaco, Germany and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives offering sales advice and valuation services in 14 countries.
For a full listing of upcoming U.S. sales, plus details on Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com/us or call toll free (800) 223-2854.
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Cowan's has been helping individuals and institutions build important collections for more than 10 years. Cowan's specialists in Historical Americana, American furniture, paintings, folk and decorative arts, and American Indian Art hold auction sales throughout the year, catering to a worldwide clientele.
Cowan's holds semi-annual sales of Historic Americana including important 19th century photographs, manuscripts and autographs, flags and patriotic textiles, political campaign ephemera, Civil War memorabilia, and items relating to the opening of the American West. Each sale attracts bidders from throughout the United States, generating over $1 million in sales.
American Indian Art is highlighted in two annual auctions that attract the nation's top collectors and dealers. American and other furniture, fine paintings, folk art and other decorative arts are offered three times annually in special cataloged offerings. In recent years, Cowan's has established record prices paid for Mid-western furniture and other decorative arts.
Through its extensive mailing list of more than 10,000 collectors, dealers and institutional clients, each Cowan's Auction attracts bidders from throughout the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Japan. More than 1,000 bidders typically participate in each sale.
More information is available at www.cowanauctions.com.
Sotheby's
Sotheby's, which held its first auction in 1744, is one of the largest auctioneers of art and antiques in the world, conducting more than 700 auctions worldwide in over 90 collecting categories, including Fine Art, Furniture, Books & Manuscripts, Jewelry, Watches, Wine, Musical Instruments, Rock-and-Roll Memorabilia, and Animation Art. Although Sotheby's principal salesrooms are located in New York and London, the company regularly conducts auctions in Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore. The role of Sotheby's in the art world also extends to complementary fields including educational studies, appraisals, trust and estate services, museum services, and real estate and financial services. Sotheby's is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as well as the London Exchange.
American Society of Appraisers The American Society of Appraisers is committed to fostering professional excellence in its membership through education, accreditation, publication and other services. Its prestige is intended to contribute to the growth of its membership and to the appraisal profession. |
