Nicholas D. Lowry, President of Swann Galleries recently sent out an email blast titled, A View from the Podium: On the Importance of a Steady Hand. His thesis was that while auction houses have traditionally been “steady” that is now changing. They are no longer stable. Just before his missive he noted that an auction house had been purchased by an assessment management firm (was it Bonhams?) from another investment firm. (Will Bonhams jettison Skinner?)
Anyone knows that in the last few years auction houses of American antiques have been merging or being acquired. Mr. Lowerly is concerned about falling expertise these houses offer and affirms that Swann will always offer such expertise.
He offers of evidence of appreciating Swann’s stability in that at another firm three auction veterans were removed from their positions and replaced by business folks with no apparent expertise in the art world. Such people may know money and well-heeled consignors and “customers”, but Mr. Lowerly is concerned that lack expertise in what they are selling.
He has a point and if Swanns and other auction houses offer such expertise my conclusion is that collectors of American antiques will be well served.
Come Collect With Me 