A Guide to New York City’s Best Known Auction Houses
If you want to watch the captains of industry and art collectors from all over the world battle it out over fine art sales, then New York is where you need to be. The epicenter of fine art in America holds some of the most expensive and thrilling art auctions in the world. High-priced fine art isn’t something that often passes through the doors of Hodgins, so we love the thrill of going to NYC to watch these multi-million dollar sales take place. From Sotheby’s to Bonham’s here’s a guide to the best known auction houses in New York City.
New York City Auction Houses
Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s is one of the most reputable and historical auction houses in the world. Founded in London before the United States was even a country, this famed auction house has sold everything from Napoleon’s library to a 100.1 carat diamond, The Star of the Season. In 1955, Sotheby’s hopped the pond to open another location in New York City close to Wall Street. Today, Sotheby’s North American headquarters sits at 1334 York Avenue amidst the desirable addresses of Manhattan’s Lenox Hill and the Upper East Side. Even if you can’t afford the pricey goods up for auction, it’s still fun to sit in the audience, or better yet, to attend one of the preview days leading up to the sale. During the preview, anyone may view the auction lot and get up-close-and-personal with some of the greatest artwork in the world. With more than 100 high-profile auctions every year at just the NYC location, there are plenty of opportunities to attend a Sotheby’s auction.
Christie’s
Like its best-known counterpart, Christie’s was also founded by a British gentleman during the 18th century in London. Christie’s NYC salesroom at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is just one of 12 worldwide. Offering 350 auctions annually, Christie’s sells everything from fine wine to renowned paintings, but specializes in Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, and Old Masters artwork. In 2015, the famed auction house set a new record when it sold Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger for $179.4 million, the highest price ever for a painting sold at auction. Though the buyer wasn’t even present for the bidding, it was later revealed that the high bidder was former prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.
Bonhams
Despite the fact that Christie’s and Sotheby’s are the two most well-known names in the art auction world, they do occasionally see some competition, particularly when it comes to more contemporary works. Established in London in 1793, Bonhams is the foremost auction house for auto auctions in Europe, as well as in London jewelry sales. Bonhams has also made waves in the art world, and has specialists on-staff that cover every major area of art and collectibles. It’s also become a leading auctioneer when it comes to pop-culture memorabilia, holding regular sales of items from the entertainment world. Past sales include everything from a Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka to the piano played in Casablanca. A relatively new player in the New York market, Bonhams didn’t open an auction house in Manhattan until 2005. Today, Bonhams NYC sits at the prestigious address of 580 Madison Avenue, just around the corner from the Trump Tower.
Doyle New York
Other New York auction houses are never going to be able to compete with names like Sotheby’s or Christie’s to secure the sale of an old master or a Picasso. Instead, houses like Doyle New York, specialize in a specific niche and offer a more personalized experience that’s less intimidating than working with one of the bigger names. Doyle, founded in New York City in 1962, specializes in estate sales and has hosted auctions for a number of notable estates including those of Rock Hudson, Joan Crawford, and Duke Ellington. Doyle has also hosted a number of interesting on-site auctions.
Swann Auction Galleries
Swann Auction Galleries is another auction house that isn’t on the same playing field as Sotheby’s or Christie’s, but that has achieved great success by specializing in works on paper. A third-generation family-run house, founded in 1941, Swann sits at 104 East 25th Street, close to Murray Hill and the Flatiron District. Works on paper include books, autographs, prints, drawings, maps, and vintage posters. Swann is also the only auction house with an entire department devoted to African American Fine Art. Most recently, Swann made the news with the sale of a Jackson Pollock original for $102,000, the highest price ever paid for a work by Pollock.
Getting Home from the Auction
If you’re the winning bidder of a lot at one of these famed New York auction houses, just how do you get your spoils home? It’s not like you can walk down the streets of Manhattan with a Renoir or memorabilia from a Beatles sale. After payment is complete, you may arrange for shipment of your items. Most of the auction houses have an in-house transport team, but many buyers choose to arrange for their own carrier. If you’re looking for a reputable Manhattan-based moving company to do the job, check out one of these cheap movers:
3 Sheridan Square
New York, NY 10014
51 East 125th Street, 2nd FLR
New York, NY 10035
83 Washington Place
New York, NY 10011
425 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
We have personally used a couple of these movers to transport collectibles home from auction. The rest were recommended by friends who live in NYC.
Good luck bidding to those of you who make it to New York this fall!