Best Auction Houses in Toronto

From jewelry, electronics, books, art, bicycles, cars and even homes, there isn’t much that you can’t buy at an auction. Auctions have fast become not just a popular way for selling or purchasing goods, but they have become a form of entertainment themselves, with auctions of different shapes and sizes appearing on more and more television channels. There is an undeniable thrill of competitive bidding that is undeniable, but if you remain calm and focused, you can not only unearth some hidden gems but you can also find incredible bargains.

Sothebys Auction

With the earliest recorded auctions dating back to as early as 500 BC, it appears that the art of the auction has become part of our DNA. In fact, the word “auction” comes from the Latin root word of “augeo” which means “I increase”, as in my bid on an item. As fun as a “bachelor auction” is, where women can bid on single men for a date for charity, these early auctions actually saw women up for bid so men could find wives. It was these early auctions that began the tradition of the level-playing field that all auctions are built upon, allowing anyone the ability to bid since it was illegal to sell your daughter for wedlock outside of the auction structure. This sense of fairness at an auction, where every bidder has the same chance of securing an item, remains today.

Benefits of Auctions

Forgetting the obvious excitement that is generated by an auction, there are some key advantages to purchasing items from an auction house.

• Chances of a Bargain: There are definite deals that can be had at an auction house, whether you’re purchasing property, automobiles or antiques. Whether the demand in the room for an item doesn’t match your need, or perhaps other bidders have undervalued a particular article, keeping your bid low can help you find some true steals.
• Sales Are Final: Once the gavel confirms you as the winner of an item, the contract is finalized. You do not have to worry about the buyer backing out of the deal, changing their mind, someone coming in with another higher bid. The item is contractually yours.
• Sales are Fast: Because timelines are fixed from the start of the auction, you will always know when the bidding begins. The typical length of time between the auction announcement and the actual auction is four weeks, giving you time to evaluate and research the property bids and determine your bidding strategy.
• Buy to Resell: In some cases the property that you’ll find on offer requires work, allowing it to be maintained and renovated to your own personal needs. Some properties will have strong development potential or the ability to convert them to other purposes. Many use auctions to find properties that will grow in value for reselling.

Waddingtons Auctioneers Appraisers

Toronto Auction Houses

There are several auction houses that provide services to the GTA. Here follow are a few of the most notable that auction off property of all kinds.

Waddington’s

Waddington’s is not just one of the longest standing auction houses in the country, it and its owners are part of Toronto history. It first began auctioning in 1850, predating the Canadian Confederation and at a time when Toronto’s population was less than 20,000. Founder Andrew Henderson began the business on lower Yonge Street, but his son Charles took the business to 128 King St East in 1863 and gave it the name “C.M. Henderson & Co. – Auctioneers” making it “the” auction house in Toronto. The sign would remain for the next 75 years. Henderson’s auction house became a local celebrity, known for performing auctions anywhere the situation required. In many cases, Charles would hold auctions on the Toronto docks allowing those gathered round to bid on the goods being offloaded from the ships.

Waddingtons

Toronto paid tribute to Charles when he died in 1928. His son Douglas took over the business and transferred the ownership to his business partner Frank Waddington in 1939. Since then, the company took the name “Waddington’s” which remains to this day. Waddington’s was sold to a British auctioneer named Ronald McLean in 1962. He kept the Waddington’s name to continue growing its stellar reputation as it had then become a Toronto institution on the back of the work of Charles Henderson before him. McLean was a flamboyant auctioneer, similar to Henderson, often joking with the gather bidders during the auction.

The growth of the business has forced several moves to larger spaces over the course. The year after their 150th anniversary celebration, they expanded the business to create “Joyner Waddington’s Canadian Art” in 2001. This new venture was a partnership with Canada’s most successful Canadian Fine Art auctioneer Geoffrey Joyner and the auctioneers at Waddington’s, making Waddington’s one of the most sought-after art auctioneers in Canada. Since then, they have expanded their operation to include an auction hall in Brighton, Ontario for weekly auctions of estate goods as well as their first online auction.

Waddington’s has also secured its ties to the community, donating time to charity events and appraisal clinics with museums, galleries and art organizations. This donation of time to many events each year raises over $2,000,000 each year for the Toronto community.

You can find the great team of appraisers and auctioneers at their downtown Toronto location at 275 King Street East.

A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals

With a specialty in Fine, Decorative and Asian Arts, A.H. Wilkens has become a leader in the local and national antique industry. A. H. Wilkens has prided themselves with expert knowledge of silver, ceramics, glass, porcelain and other decorative accessories. Their experience with a vast array of antiques have helped them easily and accurately appraise a large array of older furnishings and accessories as well as many antique light fixtures. They are also resident experts on antique jewelry and other vintage accessories. Their eyes for Asian arts include works from China, Japan, Korea and South-East Asia as well as works developed here in Canada.

AH Wilkens Auctions

The two principals at A.H. Wilkens are Andrew Wilkens and Andrea Zeifman. Both are also Fine and Decorative Arts specialists with the auction house and together bring more than 30 years of experience to the art appraisal team. Wilkens’s over 15 years as an antique dealer has given him a distinct eye for item values, which spurred him on to create his own auction house. Wilkens’s area of expertise is in evaluating silver and Asian art, which has put him in the role of a trusted appraiser by many specialists in the country.

Zeifman brings her years of study in art history to be able to evaluate silver, glass, ceramics and vintage jewelry. Zeifman is A. H. Wilkens’s main auctioneer and also donates time to charities for their fundraising functions and auctions.

The staff at A.H. Wilkens is vigilant, staying on the cutting edge of new markets and buying trends in local and international marketplaces. Their constant study of local and international markets helps put them ahead. You can contact them at their 299 Queen Street East offices.

Sotheby’s

Possibly the world’s most famous auction house, Sotheby’s has taken root in Toronto in the heart of the elite Yorkville neighbourhood at 9 Hazelton Lane. The original UK branch opened up the shop in 1967 and was the site of Sotheby’s first ever auction held outside of the United Kingdom.

Sothebys

Sotheby’s international renowned and expertise in appraisal make them a leader in the Canadian auction scene. Supporting a wide range of sellable items like fine or decorative art, books, jewelry and even wine and real estate, they are able to support the sale of almost any item imaginable. Their office is available not just for auctions and appraisal services for estates and trusts. As well, they provide services for international consignments or absentee bids. Sotheby’s has proved themselves the leader in international appraisals and auction services.

The Auction House

Owner of The Auction House Francis Satto began his career as an antique dealer Toronto’s downtown core. For more than 25 years he had sold and appraised great antique works and specimens. Post-1994, he noticed a lack of auction houses in Toronto dealing specifically with the antique market place. Thus the creation of The Auction House.

The Auction House

With the advent of online resale services like eBay, Kijiji or Craigslist, more and more pieces were coming available online. If you had the knowledge of value of these pieces and knew what to look for, some true fine pieces could be purchased at a fraction of the estimated value. Satto used this knowledge to purchase Victorian and Edwardian pieces as well as other collectables like jewelry, laps, sculpture and precious metals. Once collected, these pieces are sold at auction, and depending upon bidding, there are some truly valuable deals to be found.

Action at the Auction House

I was able to sit down with Andrea Zeifman at A.H. Wilkens Auctions and Appraisals and asked her a few questions about what life is like at an auction house?

Q: What makes A.H. Wilkens stand out from the other auction houses in Toronto?

AZ: “What is great about A.H. Wilkens is that we are the only auction house in Toronto consistently having live estate auctions. We hold our auctions about twice a month and only take in pieces from estates and families downsizing.

Everything is fresh to the market. We try to keep our eye out for good decorator pieces, interesting finds and rare antiques. Every sale is different and has something for everyone.”

Q: What’s the most expensive item that you’ve auctioned off at A.H. Wilkens?

AZ: “A Ming bronze buddha. It was discovered in a home with a modest value placed on it ages ago. We did our reach and found out that the early 17th century bronze was very rare. I was on the stand when it sold; nine telephone bidders + room bidders and internet bidder made it for an exciting auction. It realized $508,000.00!”

Q: Have there been some interesting finds at the estate auctions that told you more about the owner?

AZ: “There was the estate of Jack Bateman who worked as an engineer for the CBC in the 30s through 50s. We discovered old diary entries and letters describing the invention of television and how it would change our lives. This was before TV was bought to the masses. We learned that he was also a magician and had turned his entire basement into a magic show space. He was known by many as the inventor of the ball & cup switch trick!”

A H Wilkens Auctions Appraisals Torontos Auction House

Q: Do you ever find estates where the owners have a surprisingly large collection of items?

AZ: “Yes, there was an estate up in Caledon. An older couple had hoarded collection upon collection. We found nearly $100,000 worth of gold and silver coins, hundreds of Royal Doultons, Moorcroft vases and more. We started to go through the house and realized that 500 boxes had been stashed away in their attic.”

Q: Have you ever had one of those surprising “Antique Road Show” moments with a client where they had no idea of the worth of the items they had?

AZ: “Definitely. The son of an older couple approached us to deal with their parents’ home. The parents had already moved out and the house had been left vacant for many years, exposed to the elements of water damage and mold. The parents were avid collectors back in the 70s and 80s and the son thought that he should take their collection and open an antique shop up north. We met the son through the antique shop and found all sorts of treasures that he had not realized were there. We were able to help identify his parent collection and sell their pieces for more than expected. We also were asked to clear out the parent home in the winter. There was no heat, but mold! It was a daunting task but we found amazing treasure hidden in the most unexpected places. A Chinese bronze on the work bench, silver in the dishwasher!”

Q: Do you have success with niche collectors as well?

AZ: “Most certainly. I love the story of Marilyn Darrin. She was one of the world’s largest collectors of Art Deco Noritake. Her collection primarily focused on figural powder boxes, dresser jars, smoker’s sets and salt and pepper shakers. The set up for preview was totally amazing with little faces staring out at you from everywhere. The sale broke the record for the most expensive piece having been sold, realizing just over $14,000.

Other unusual pieces that we have sold included an autographed book that was given from Queen Victoria to her daughter.

We also auctioned a collection of Roman amphoras and three early Roman busts that came from a distinguished Italian family in Toronto.”

Q: What are the types of items that you auction that you appreciate and move you the most?

AZ: “I guess I am always drawn to the old photo albums. I especially like digging through the photos from the 1910s, 20s and 30s. They capture a time in history that we so rarely get to see. It often makes me sad that people decide to give away a part of their family history. My mom always tells me that I better not put our old family photos into auction. I promise her I never will.”

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